Relates to sidewalk shed permit renewal for ongoing construction projects

1 Co-sponsor

• Liz Krueger

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to sidewalk shed permit renewal

Purpose or general idea of bill

To prevent building sidewalk shedding from languishing unnecessarily for years, disconnected from realistic construction schedules.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends the administrative code so that no sidewalk shed permit shall be renewed unless such sidewalk shedding is being used as part of an ongoing construction project. Section 1 defines an ongoing construction project as "any construction project during which persons employed in construction work are utilizing such sidewalk shedding at least ten days per month over the course of the year immediately preceding a request to renew a sidewalk shed permit." The New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner is tasked with evaluating relevant documents and inspecting the construction site for the purposes of renewing sidewalk shed permits.

Justification

It is a common sight for many New Yorkers; sidewalk shedding or more commonly known as scaffolding, goes up alongside a building for temporary repairs and never comes down. In many neighborhoods, temporary scaffolds are permanent problems. In many cases, sidewalk sheds remain up while construction has halted. Sometimes it remains after construction is complete. Dozens of locations in New York City have had sidewalk sheds in place for years with seemingly no end in sight.

Without serving any legitimate construction purpose, languishing sidewalk sheds can be the source of a number of public health and safety issues. Sidewalk sheds can attract rodents, become a hazard in extreme weather, and serve as a collection site for trash. Unnecessary sidewalk sheds can dramatically impact the quality of life of the residents in affected buildings, blocking sunlight and attracting illicit activity. Languishing sidewalk sheds affect small businesses for similar reasons. When sidewalk sheds stop serving legitimate construction purposes and become unnecessary eyesores and public health hazards, they must come down.

By requiring greater scrutiny over renewals of sidewalk shed permits, this bill seeks to reduce the amount of time unnecessary scaffolds can languish without furthering legitimate construction work, while also recognizing that temporary sidewalk shed fixtures are necessary for the completion of many building projects.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.