Grants cities authority to review and approve plans for the construction of structures proposed to be made within its boundaries

Title of bill

An act to amend the general city law, in relation to the review of construction plans by cities

Purpose or general idea

This bill requires all cities to employ persons to review any plans for construction or reconstruction on structures within its boundary.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 24 of section 20 of the general city law, as amended by chapter 742 of the laws of 1979, by granting additional specific powers to cities to "review and approve plans for construction or reconstruction of any structure to be made within its boundaries for compliance with any codes, rule or regulations" and to prohibit cities from accepting certification of "documents for new or newly reconstructed buildings from architects or engineers as a substitute for review and approval of such plans by an employee or contractor of the city who is a licensed architect or professional engineers" and "provided ... that no city employee or contractor shall review and approve any documents which he or she has submitted as an architect or engineer."

Section 2 of the bill sets forth an effective date of July 1, 2018.

Justification

This bill will require that all cities retain the responsibility for approving plans for building projects. It will specifically prohibit architects or engineers who are not employees or contractors of any city from certifying building plans.

Legislative history

2015-16: A3741 Brennan 2013-14: A5196 Brennan 2011-12: A1528 2009-10: A4424-A 2007-08: Similar to A11633-A

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.