Building NYC by the Numbers
Ever wondered exactly how many permits DOB issued, what their geographical distribution is, or how the volume of permits issued compares to pervious years? In keeping with the agency's strategic plan to make DOB data easily available and accessible to the public, we are excited to announce the launch of DOB’s interactive NYC Construction Dashboard. The Dashboard data hub provides quarterly updates on construction activity citywide via an array of charts, graphs, and maps illustrating the volume, type, and location of DOB permits issued.
Reminder: Site Safety is EVERYBODY’S Business
Several recent fatalities on NYC construction sites involving design professionals and licensees is a reminder to all of us that anyone who sets foot on a construction site is subject to proper safety procedures in order to protect themselves and others. Architects, engineers, special inspectors, electricians, plumbers, owners, and other visitors must wear proper safety attire and anyone working near an unprotected drop needs to securely tie off. Remember, experience is not enough to prevent construction site accidents.
– Last year, an architect was taking measurements at a building under construction in Manhattan when he fell and died at the scene.
– In June, a surveyor died after falling off a wooden platform on the 17th floor of a building in Manhattan.
– In September, an electrician working on a building in Manhattan died after falling out of a boom lift.
– Earlier this month, a special inspector fell off a ladder in Brooklyn and later died from his injuries.
New in NOW: Electrical and Elevator Permits
Our rollout of DOB NOW: Build continues in December with the additions of electrical and elevator job filings. ED16A electrical job filings will be live as of Monday, December 4th, and all elevator job filings will be accepted online beginning Monday, December 11th. For those unable to attend the in-person information sessions, DOB is also offering a series of supplemental webinars on online permit submissions.
Information Sessions for Electrical Job Filings
Information Sessions for Elevator Job Filings
Webinar Sessions for Electrical Filings
Webinar Sessions for Elevator Filings
A Helping Hand for Permit Applications
As part of our ongoing effort to demystify the City’s construction permitting process, DOB has created a resource hub to usher industry professionals and homeowners through the building process for common projects, and provide support to ensure projects are executed successfully. DOB’s Project Guidelines page provides information on topics ranging from determining which projects require permits, to hiring registered design professionals, applying for permits, and dealing with issues that may arise. We are hard at work adding new project categories every day, with new guidelines for construction equipment coming soon.
Site Safety Plans: Are You in Compliance?
Hear ye, hear ye! Implementation of Local Law 81 of 217 is now in effect. As of November 6, 2017, all jobs requiring a registered construction superintendent (CS) also require a site safety plan (SSP). While the SSP does not need to be submitted to DOB, plans must be signed and dated by the preparer, and kept on site at all times and available upon request, until all work is completed.
Disciplinary Cases
DOB recently levied $75,000 in fines to contractors for safety violations resulting in worker injuries. In addition the Department issued violations to 16 separate properties for failures to safeguard the site or the public, resulting in another $160,000 in penalties.
DOB's Padlock Unit has been hard at work in Queens, enforcing zoning violations and ensuring owners are held accountable for unlawful operations on their properties, including illegal parking lots, junk storage, and car repair. Last month, Padlocks identified five noncompliant properties in the borough, resulting in hearings and closure orders to the property owners.
DOB Issued 24 Class 1 violations to seven different property owners for illegal alterations made to existing buildings. As a result, the property owners were issued a combined $156,000 in penalties.
Our inspectors are working every day to better protect tenant safety – this time bringing enforcement actions to a Queens landlord who illegally converted a single-family home to multifamily, and has not only failed to correct the violation, but repeatedly attempted to rent out the illegal units, putting unsuspecting tenants at risk. A criminal court summons was issued to the owner with a hearing set for January.
Additional Disciplinary Actions & Voluntary Surrenders
Industry Code of Conduct for Construction Professionals
Website Updates
DOB NOW: Build Resources for Antenna and Curb Cut Filings
DOB NOW: Build Resources for Sidewalk Shed, Supported Scaffold, Fence and Sign Filings
DOB NOW: Build Withdrawal Request Letter Template
DOB NOW: Build Superseding Request Letter Template
DOB NOW: Build Workarounds Tip Sheet
Industry Notice: Cranes & Derricks
Registration Closed For Managing Floodplain Development Through NFIP
Licensing
Registration Renewal: Concrete Safety Manager
Obtain a: New York City Concrete Safety Manager Registration
Changes to Construction Superintendent & Concrete Safety Manager Registrations
Obtain a: Master & Special Electrician License
Obtain a: Private Elevator Inspection Agency Director or Co-Director License
Obtain a: Private Elevator Inspector Agency License
Obtain a: General Contractor Registration
Obtain a: Site Safety Manager Certification
Obtain a: Site Safety Coordinator Certification
Obtain a: Class A, B or C Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor License
License Renewal: Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor
License Renewal: Hoisting Machine Operator Class A & B
License Renewal: Class C Hoist Machine Operator
Obtain a: Class A Hoisting Machine Operator License
Obtain a: Class B Hoisting Machine Operator License
Obtain a: Class C 1, 2, or 3 Hoisting Machine Operator License
Obtain a: Special Rigger License
Service Updates
DOB NOW: Build
Sidewalk Shed, Supported Scaffold, Fence, and Sign Job Filings to Launch on October 16, 2017
DOB NOW: Build
Electrical Job Filings to Launch on December 4, 2017
DOB NOW: Build
Elevator Job Filings to Launch on December 11, 2017
Safety Registrant
Recipients and Applicants
Department to Review Non-Paid Civil Penalties Imposed by OATH/ECB
Site Safety Plans
Mandatory on All Work Scopes Requiring a Registered Construction Superintendent
Elevators and Escalators
Safety Code
Elevator Directors,
Co-Directors, and Inspectors
New eFiling Enrollment Process
DOB NOW: Safety
Webinar Sessions for Boiler Compliance Filings
Development Inspections
Units Relocate
Hearings + Rules
Repeal of Superseded Rules
1 RCNY 7000-01 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to repeal
rules relating to the National Fire Protection Association, Flammable
Combustible Code edition amendment; smoke detecting devices and systems;
required carbon monoxide detecting devices and systems; and the
procedure for amending, revising or promulgating Reference Standards.
Required Smoke Detecting Devices and Systems
1 RCNY 28-01 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing a rule to repeal rules relating to the National Fire Protection Association, Flammable Combustible Code edition amendment; smoke detecting devices and systems; required carbon monoxide detecting devices and systems; and the procedure for amending, revising or promulgating Reference Standards.
Required Carbon Monoxide Detecting Devices and Systems
1 RCNY 28-02 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to repeal rules relating to the National Fire Protection Association, Flammable Combustible Code edition amendment; smoke detecting devices and systems; required carbon monoxide detecting devices and systems; and the procedure for amending, revising or promulgating Reference Standards.
Rules of Procedure for Amending, Revising or Promulgating Reference Standards
1 RCNY 37-01 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to repeal rules relating to the National Fire Protection Association, Flammable Combustible Code edition amendment; smoke detecting devices and systems; required carbon monoxide detecting devices and systems; and the procedure for amending, revising or promulgating Reference Standards.
Amendment of Rules Governing Special Inspectors and Special Inspection Agencies
1 RCNY 101-06 The Department of Buildings (DOB) is proposing to amend its Rule relating to the duties, registration, renewal and discipline of special inspectors and special inspection agencies.
Public hearing: 12/18/17 @ 10am - 280 Broadway, 3rd Floor Conference Room
2014 Construction Code Updates
Update Page # 32 reflects changes made by Local Law 81 of 2017 (effective 11.06.17), in relation to requiring construction superintendents at certain construction sites.
Update Page #33 reflects changes made by Local Law 80 of 2017 (Section 1 effective 11.10.17), in relation to licensing for operators of certain complex cranes.
Update pages are printable inserts to keep your hard copy Construction Codes up to date.
All update pages for the 2014 NYC Construction Codes.
Local Laws
Safety Orientation Requirements
Local Law 206 of 2017 (effective 5.16.18) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New York, in relation to requiring site-specific safety orientations for workers at construction sites.
Civil Penalties For Sites With Excessive Violations
Local Law 205 of 2017 (effective 6.1.18) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New York, in relation to increasing the civil penalties for construction sites with excessive violations.
Pre-Shift Safety Meetings
Local Law 204 of 2017 (effective 5.16.18) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New York, in relation to requiring pre-shift safety meetings for workers at construction sites.
Penalties For Violations of Site Safety Provisions
Local Law 203 of 2017 (effective 3.17.18) amends the Administrative Code of The City of New York, in relation to penalties for violations of site safety provisions of the construction codes.
Did You Know
DOB is not the only agency embracing the power of public data. NYC Planning's interactive digital portal on Community District Profiles gives members of the public access to a comprehensive range of maps, data analysis, and visualizations on topics including demographics, zoning and land use, and current building projects.
Rick D. Chandler, P.E., Commissioner
