The 2022 NYC Building Code went into effect on November 7, 2022. While we’ve covered a number of general updates the new code will bring, it’s worth a moment to focus on healthcare facilities in particular.
Permitting rules may become stricter for certain projects in New York City in the near future, due to a proposed air quality reclassification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
How your Brooklyn filings will be affected and how you can take advantage.
On June 1, 2022, three citywide zoning amendments were announced that could remove limitations and encourage new building and alteration uses in neighborhoods which previously would have banned them.
Find out what types of projects could be affected.
In March 2022, the NYC DOB released their second-annual Construction Safety Report, compiling site safety data from 2021 and comparing it against 2020 statistics.
In the interest of stormwater protection, certain construction projects will now have some extra paperwork to do.
Learn about the new process for getting your MIH-flagged project approved.
Under Executive Order from February 4, 2022, Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) will be required for any federal government construction project of approx. $35 million or more, starting immediately.
As of December 31, 2021, the NYC Department of Buildings no longer accepts Energy Efficiency Reports (EER) from owners who owe penalties for prior violations.
New buildings will need alternative heating by as early as 2024. Learn more about the new law.
New York, NY – Since 2012, Outsource Special Inspections (OSI) has been a trusted source for special inspections in New York City. Led by a senior team of knowledgeable, highly qualified professional engineers, OSI performs NYC Department of Buildings-certified inspections across New York City every day, covering over 600 clients.
How the new Zoning for Accessibility initiative may affect design professionals.
Check out Decoder’s highlights from the past year.
Why construction professionals should care about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, and what to do about it.
All about the new default cancellation request deadline and attending hearings during COVID.
As of September 14, 2021, the NYC Department of Buildings will not require fees for filing and permits for Hurricane Ida-related damage.
In 2020, we talked quite a bit about what the future of work would look like.
Be advised: As of September 7, 2021, all FDNY services must now be filed exclusively online.
New York City has been called the concrete jungle, but never before has the name been more apt, or more dangerous.
From redesigns to online license applications, here’s the latest on the NYC Buildings website.
In May 2021, the Open Streets program, which converted 83 miles of NYC roadways into pedestrian walkways to better accommodate pandemic outdoor dining, was made permanent for neighborhoods that chose to keep it.
What to watch out for when enforcement begins August 16, 2021.
As of July 12, 2021, civil penalty payments and waive requests must go through DOB: NOW.
The New York State government recently announced that it has budgeted funding towards incentives for its Low Carbon Pathways for Multifamily Buildings program.
Learn what this means for NYC construction going forward.
Earlier in 2021, two of New York City’s major transportation hubs, Penn Station and Port Authority Bus Terminal, released plans to the public for a major overhaul of the current infrastructure.
On June 1, 2021, the NYC Department of Buildings announced a slew of unannounced site safety sweeps across the city.
As of late May 2021, a new bill introduced in the New York City Council could make a major impact on the city’s building and energy codes.
Learn more about the DOB’s pioneering effort to better address existing building repairs and alterations.
In Spring 2021, several zoning changes to improve transit accessibility and to lower barriers for small and independent health-focused businesses were proposed and put under public review.
How new construction safety laws may affect permits and approvals.
Apply for altered 2024-2029 greenhouse gas emissions limits on your large building before July 2021.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated existing trends in remote work, as well as the pivot away from big box and department stores, leaving many buildings and storefronts unused and empty. What can be done with these blank spaces?
NYC Climate Code Updates and Energy Benchmark Deadline
Certain violations after January 4, 2020 will hold up new permits for owners.
New pilot program starts March 19, 2021 for select inspections and areas.
Explore how this online dashboard tracks and resolves your critical building items.
Learn more on how to migrate Certificates of Occupancy from BIS.
Building owners beware – Outstanding façade issues from last inspection could result in a $2,000 fine.
There’s still time for your commercial building to install code-approved carbon monoxide detectors.
In order to accommodate delays from the pandemic, the deadline under Local Law 152 of 2016 for building owners in community districts 1, 3 and 10 (in any borough) to have their gas piping inspected has been extended from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
What you need to know about the new type of TCO
New mandates go into effect January 10, 2021.
Code considerations for making usable rooftop spaces in New York.
It’s more than plexiglass and 6 feet. Before you put up the partitions, check with the code.
New law goes into effect January 1, 2021 – check your applicability!
LL114 of 2019 increases penalties for false PW1 statements on occupancy.
How to Create Code-Compliant Temporary Outdoor Dining Seating Amid COVID-19 Crisis.
As New York starts to reopen after months of quarantine from COVID-19 novel coronavirus, many workplaces are wondering how to get people back in the office while still ensuring employee safety. From simple solutions to new technologies, here are five things to keep in mind.
How to prep for and enforce the new normal.
What will construction look like when the stop order is lifted?
How to navigate filing for emergency staging and temporary hospital projects.
Navigating filing and construction in the midst of New York on PAUSE.
The new code will go into effect on May 12, 2020.
To BIS or to DOB NOW?
Keep your workers posted before they miss their deadline.
What you need to know when Local Laws 92 & 94 go into effect.
Select areas in Brooklyn may now be permitted to create lawful cellar apartments.
A refresher on gender neutral bathroom signs
A refresher on gender neutral bathroom signs
If you're experiencing longer wait times for fire alarm application review, this could be the reason why.
Here is what you need to know, in a nutshell.
Pursuant to Local Law 160 of 2017, the Department of Buildings will now be enforcing section 28-105.1.2.
Would it surprise you to know that many of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, have not been issued a final certificate of occupancy?
The New York City Council introduces hundreds of new local laws each year. In 2013 Local Law 141 was enacted which solidified the adoption of an NYC modification of the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) as the new city Building Code.
Much hullabaloo was raised by housing advocates when Comptroller Scott Stringer put out a report claiming the HPD was sitting on 1,125 vacant city-owned lots. About half of those are in Brooklyn, 363 in Queens, 112 in the Bronx and 98 in Manhattan.
Recently the DOB changed some of its application fees for residential buildings. Some fees went up, some went down. The news fees were originally laid out by LL56 of 2016, but only implemented into DOB systems on March 5, 2018. For the new fees, the DOB created of new classification and pricing tier for buildings above and below 7 stories and 100,000 square feet.
In early 2018 the Regional Plan Association (RPA) put forward its solution to New York’s longtime affordable housing crisis—remove residential FAR limitations in Manhattan. On its face the idea seems radical. The FAR cap, a New York State addition to the Multiple Dwelling Law, prevents developers from building to the sun, peppering medium density to mid-rise districts with Towers of Babel.
In 2012, New York City’s Zone Green program amended the Zoning Code to allow wall thickness to be deducted from floor area provided the walls are energy efficient. City Planning claims New York buildings are responsible for 80 percent of the city’s carbon emissions.
Sliver buildings are taller buildings that have less than 45 width feet street frontage. The height allowances for sliver buildings are generally determined by the width of the street or 100 feet, whichever is less. Sliver buildings are not to be confused with towers.
You rarely see liquor stores alongside churches and schools in New York City. It’s not a zoning restriction. It’s actually a law imposed by the New York Liquor Authority called the 200 Foot Rule.
It’s no coincidence that New York City has seen a proliferation of yoga studios in the last several years. This is largely due to the Department of Buildings distinguishing yoga studios from their “physical culture” brethren–the massage parlors, bathhouses and gyms that require BSA approval.
Prospective building owners should do their homework before pulling the trigger on a purchase. There could be restrictions on the property or fees unrecognized in the sales price. Large buildings will typically get a due diligence report from an expediting company.
Hostels, those bunked up dormitories filled with weary travelers easily recognized by their Ghostbuster sized backpacks, are common in many European and American cities. In New York City only a handful remain. Is New York City hostile to the hostel?
The Obama Administration recently published a Housing Development Toolkit that aims to promote urban development by emboldening developers and bypassing bureaucracy. In many instances, New York City, with its recently passed Mandatory Inclusionary Housing(MIH), is a step ahead of the Toolkit’s core objectives.
Under the Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA), corner lots in R6-R10 contextual districts will now be permitted 100% lot coverage. Previously these corner lots were limited to 80% coverage.
New York City’s Lobbying Law requires lobbyists to register with the city. On June 30, 2016 the city concluded an amnesty program allowing lobbyists to register without penalties. The New York State amnesty has been extended to September 30th, 2016.
The Quality Housing Program was established in 1987 to help maintain the architectural character of New York City neighborhoods. The program includes rules concerning height, bulk, lot coverage, street line and more. Quality Housing is mandatory in contextual R6-R10 districts, but only optional in non-contextual R6-R10 districts.
The redevelopment of industrial areas for residential use has been a trend throughout New York City’s recent history. Thirty years ago it was happening in neighborhoods like Soho and Tribeca. Today luxury residential development has expanded to industry parts of Dumbo and North Brooklyn.
After lengthy debate, City Council approved Mayor de Blasio’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability plan (ZQA). A key component of the plan is the relaxation of parking requirements for multiple dwellings. By eliminating parking requirements, the mayor aims to make it easier for developers to maximize zoning lots for affordable and senior housing.
New York City’s “Housing New York” plan to build and preserve 200,000 high quality, affordable units is under City Planning review. If passed, the plan will have significant impact on development and zoning in New York.
New York City’s adAPT program, which sidesteps existing Building and Zoning Codes to build prefabricated micro-apartmentbuildings, launched amid much controversy. Proponents claim the micro-apartments are appropriate for today’s renter—young, single and on the go. Detractors are apprehensive about the compromise of space in a crowded city saturated with pint-sized living spaces.
New York City has undergone several zoning changes over the years. When a district undergoes a major zoning change, a building’s use doesn’t necessarily have to fall in line. The building can remain in the district under what’s called non-conforming use.
The Department of Buildings will soon enforce Section 403.5.2 of the Building Code requiring buildings to have a third egress stair. Applications filed on or after July 1, 2015 will be subject to the code. The enforcement date of Section 403.5.2 was postponed to give City Council time to pass a zoning text amendment discounting the floor area from the additional stairway.
New Commissioner Rick Chandler gave a State of the DOB address at the Yale Club on December 9th, 2014. Over the last few years, the DOB has seen a boost in job and permit filings. On Tuesday, Mr. Chandler offered solutions for the DOB to streamline its operations and deal with this increase.
The tenure of Development Hub Executive Director Edwin Tang on September 30, 2014. Mr. Tang leaves behind a remarkable legacy at the DOB. He was instrumental in rolling out the Development Hub and overseeing its operations. His departure comes at a time when the Hub is experiencing a massive influx of job applications before the 2014 Building Code takes effect.
Crumbling infrastructure and an untenable fiscal situation has led the NYCHA to turn its parking lots into cash. As part of its Land Lease program, the NYCHA seeks to solve its budget woes by leasing its parking lot areas to developers who will develop market rate housing.