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Project Checklists for Owner:
Sidewalk Shed

This section contains a list of questions/tasks to help Owners, who are responsible for hiring professionals to provide compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and other regulations discussed in the Project Guidelines.

The project design team should be hired and assembled by the Owner prior to beginning any construction. As an Owner, if you are unfamiliar with construction regulations, consult a Registered Design Professional or reference the NYC Construction Code and other regulations referenced in this guide for more information.

Checklists include:

Initial Project Checklist

DO

  • Pre-Project:Hire a NYS Registered Design Professional (Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (R.A.)) or a Contractor to ensure your project is Code-compliant.
  • Project Drawings: A Registered Design Professional, or in some instances, the registered professional contractor can submit construction documents, including drawings and other submissions, to the Department for approval.
  • Project Work: Hire a Licensed/Registered General Contractor to perform the work. When hiring a professional, have a written contract that includes the Contractor’s company name, address and license number(s)
  • Contractor Inspections: Ensure that the contractor performs periodic written inspections, maintenance and written daily inspections as part of work and in accordance with code requirements outlined in BC 3307.6.5.
  • Owner Inspections: If there is no active work, the owner must perform the daily inspections, as outlined in the BC 3306.5.10.
  • File Electrical Application: Electrical application for sidewalk shed lighting must be filed and permitted before obtaining the sidewalk shed permit.
  • DOB: NOW Requirement: Owner must provide their email address to the Department to obtain correspondence, inspections and final sign-off of the project.
  • Work Completion: Contractor must properly notify the DOB prior to removal of the sidewalk shed to close the project application. Please note the sidewalk shed cannot be removed until the structure is enclosed and all exterior work has been completed, thereby ensuring safety for the pedestrians. However, a sidewalk shed must be removed once the work associated with the project structures is complete.

DON’T

  • Work Without a Permit: Do not begin work without a Department of Transportation (DOT) permit if there is any extension of the sidewalk shed into a street roadway. Property Owners and the people performing work without a permit may face violations with penalties, court appearances, civil and/or criminal penalties.

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Prior to Application Approval Checklist

  • Hire a Registered Design Professional (RDP), P.E. or R.A. and/or a Registered Contractor to finalize scope of work for the sidewalk shed.
  • Provide and consent to project requirements, and authorize the RDP and/or Registered Contractor, who is the Applicant of Record, to submit project plans (construction documents) for approval by the Department.
  • A Lot/Plot Plan must be submitted to verify sidewalk shed location and scope of work.
  • Project approval is required prior to beginning work.

*Note: The Owner of the building/property is ultimately responsible for the project, and their signature/consent is required for submission of the project application by their Design Professional, and Department approval. The Owner may attend plan examination appointments only if accompanied by the Applicant of Record or the Filing Representative.*

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Pre-Permit & On-going Project Work Checklist

Pre-Permit

  • Licensed Contractor: Hire NYC Licensed/Registered Contractor to obtain work permit in order to begin work.

On-going

  • Site Safety: Property Owners must maintain their properties in a safe condition during the course of work.
  • Periodic Inspections: Perform written periodic inspections to ensure that sidewalk shed is in a safe condition if the Contractor does not perform such inspections.

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Project Completion Close-out Checklist

  • Department and/or Special Inspection Agency (SIA) Inspections: Make sure the Contractor records of these completed and obtained a sign-off.
  • Permit Sign-off: Confirm the Contractor has requested and passed a final inspection required by the Department.

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Project Checklists for Owner Links

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