What's happening
This bill requires proof of ongoing construction for sidewalk shed permit renewals in New York City, with stricter documentation and inspections.
Why it matters
Limits long-term sidewalk shed permits. by requiring proof that construction is actively ongoing—meaning sidewalk sheds can’t be left up for months or years without real work happening, reducing neighborhood blight and sidewalk obstructions.
Introduces stricter oversight. by mandating site inspections and detailed documentation of worker activity, which could deter fraudulent permit renewals and hold contractors more accountable.
Defines “ongoing construction”. as work involving use of the shed at least 10 days per month over the past year, setting a clearer, more enforceable threshold for permit renewals.
Establishes civil penalties. (up to $1,000) for contractors who submit false or misleading documentation, aiming to discourage abuse of the permit system and improve public safety.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Tighten Sidewalk Shed Permits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.137
- Referred to cities
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.406
- Referred to cities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Limit Sidewalk Shed Permits
In Assembly Committee · Housing · Sponsor Robert J. Rodriguez
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2729
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 29, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to sidewalk shed permit renewal
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 105.8.3 of the New York city building code, as amended by section 1 of subpart 1 of part C of local law number 141 of the city of New York for the year 2013, is amended to read as follows:
105.8.3 Special provisions for renewal of permit for a sidewalk shed. An application for the renewal of a construction equipment permit for a sidewalk shed used in connection with the alteration of a building shall be accompanied by a report, acceptable to the department, prepared by a registered design professional who has examined that part of the premises on which the work requiring the use of a sidewalk shed is being performed. Such report shall document the condition of the applicable part of the premises and the scope of work that has been performed thereon since the issuance of the permit and shall provide an estimate of the additional time needed to complete the work.
No sidewalk shed permit shall be renewed unless the commissioner determines that such sidewalk shed is being used as part of an ongoing construction project. In making such determination, the commissioner shall conduct an inspection of the construction site for which such permit renewal is sought. A contractor or licensee shall submit to the commissioner documentation in support of permit renewal indicating the dates and times persons employed in the construction project have utilized the sidewalk shed that is the subject of a permit renewal request. A contractor or licensee who submits or causes to be submitted documentation that contains false or misleading statements shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07165-01-9
S. 2729 2
The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
An "ongoing construction project" shall mean any construction project during which persons employed in construction work are utilizing such sidewalk shed at least ten days per month over the course of the year immediately preceding a request to renew a sidewalk shed permit.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to sidewalk shed permit renewal
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 preced- ing 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 tempo- rary 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 side- walk 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.
Fiscal implications
None
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.9007/A.642 Rodriguez - Housing Comm.
2015-2016: S.2404A (Perkins)
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.