2020 Buildings Bulletins

The Department of Buildings publishes Buildings Bulletins which represent the official policies of the Department to assist our customers and employees. These bulletins are currently sorted by date of issuance. New ways to browse and search this data will be coming in the near future.

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2020 Buildings Bulletins

Issuance
Date

Type/
Bulletin #

Relevant Code Sections

Purpose

December 15, 2020

Zoning/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-023

Bulletin Highlights

3 RCNY 608-01
ZR Article 6 Chapter 4
FGC 633.1
Local Law 195 of 2018
1 RCNY 101-12
AC 28-105.4.26

This bulletin clarifies the applicable limitations when establishing stationary storage battery systems and stationary fuel-cell power systems accessory to the principle uses they serve within a single zoning lot and outlines the filing procedures for such systems.

November 27, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-022

Bulletin Highlights

Bird Friendly Building Design and Construction Requirements Guidance Document

BC 107
BC 107.6
BC 1403.8
AC 28-101.4.3
AC 28-103.36

Clarify applicability, design and filing requirements necessary to show compliance with Local Law 15 of 2020.

October 22, 2020

OTCR/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-021

Bulletin Highlights

BC G104.5.1, BC G304.1.2(2), BC G105.3, BC G501.1, BC G106.4

This document establishes evaluation criteria for glazing systems used for dry floodproofing in special flood hazard areas (“floodresistant glazing systems”) designed to meet the definition of “substantially impermeable” and to resist site-specific loads pursuant to ASCE 24.

October 21, 2020

Opertional/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-020

Related Bulletin:
BB 2020-017

Superseded by:
BB 2021-008


This bulletin describes when a DOB permit application is not required and how to determine the number of occupants for the reopening of indoor food services and dining in restaurants and establishments in New York City.

October 14, 2020

Opertional/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-019

Superseded by:
BB 2021-007


This bulletin focuses on natural gas as a power source for outdoor heaters, and describes the process of installing, permitting, and operating such heaters.

October 14, 2020

Opertional/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-018

Superseded by:
BB 2021-006


This bulletin focuses on electricity as a power source for heaters and describes the process of installing, permitting, and operating such heaters.

October 14, 2020

Opertional/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-017

Supersedes:
BB 2020-013

Superseded by:
BB 2021-005

Emergency Executive Orders: EO 126, EO 128

This bulletin describes when a DOB permit application is not required for the safe New York City reopening of restaurants and bars.

August 5, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-016

Directives 9 of 1969; 20 of 1969; and 15 of 1971
Executive Order
1/96
Letter 2-26-73
Memos 6-23-69; 9-19-69; 10-26-70; 4-8-76; 7-21-76; 10-7-77; 12-28-77; 2-16-78; 5-29-78; 8-12-88; and 1-24-90

This bulletin rescinds 3 Directives, 1 Executive Order, 1 letter, and 11 memoranda that are no longer applicable under any Code.

July 24, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-015

Rescinded by:
BB 2021-009

Emergency Executive Orders: EEO 132

This bulletin describes the application process for qualifying educational institutions to obtain approval for temporary student dormitory use in hotels.

July 24, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-014

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-014

BC 908.7
1 RCNY 908-01

To clarify 1 RCNY §908-01 in relation to Section 6.3.3.2 of NFPA 720 regarding notification appliance devices used for the detection of carbon monoxide.

July 10, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-013

Superseded by:
Superseded by: BB 2021-002

Emergency Executive Orders: EO 126 and EO 128

This bulletin describes when a DOB permit application is not required for the safe NEW York City Phase 2 reopening of restaurants and bars.

June 16, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-012

Supersedes:
BB 2017-009

LL 5/73
LL 26/04
NFPA 13
NFPA 72
AC 27-339
FC 901.7
FC 2604.1.8

This document clarifies requirements for standpipe and sprinkler systems in existing buildings undergoing alterations, including compartmentation requirements and FDNY notifications. This document includes revisions to the previous FDNY Letter of No Objection procedures.

June 16, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-011

Related Bulletin:
BB 2018-008

AC 28-114
AC 28-116
1 RCNY 101-07
Dir. 14-1975
BC 110.5

This document clarifies the final inspection requirement for certain work types not requiring new or modified certificates of occupancy.

June 7, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-010

Rescinded by:
BB 2021-009

AC 28-103.8
AC 28-201.1
BC 3301.2
BC 3301.5

This bulletin provides updated guidance to owners and contractors regarding the reopening of sites whose operations were suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

May 12, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-009

Supersedes:
BB 2017-005

NYCECC 101.2.4
NYCECC R403
NYCECC C403
NYCECC C404
NYCECC C408
NYCECC Chapter R5
NYCECC Chapter C5
1 RCNY 5000-01
ASHRAE 90.1 6.1.1.2
ASHRAE 90.1 6.1.1.3
ASHRAE 90.1 7.1.1.2
ASHRAE 90.1 7.1.1.3
ASHRAE 90.1 Sec 6
ASHRAE 90.1 Sec 7
ASHRAE 90.1 Sec 10

This document clarifies conditions under which an addition, alteration, or repair to HVAC and/or service water heating systems may not be required to comply with the 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC), pursuant to NYCECC Chapters R5, C5, and Appendix CA (amendments to 90.1-2016).

May 12, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-008

Supersedes:
BB 2017-004

NYCECC 101.2.4
NYCECC R404
NYCECC C405
NYCECC C408
NYCECC Chapter R5
NYCECC Chapter C5
ASHRAE 90.1 Section 8
ASHRAE 90.1 Section 9
ASHRAE 90.1 Section 10
1 RCNY 5000-01

This document clarifies conditions under which an addition, alteration, or repair to a lighting or electrical power system or control equipment may not be required to comply with the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC), pursuant to NYCECC Chapter R5, Chapter C5, and Appendix CA (amendments to ASHRAE 90.1-2016).

May 12, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-007

Supersedes:
BB 2017-006

NYCECC 101.2. 4
NYCECC Chapter R5
NYCECC Chapter C5
NYCECC R402
NYCECC C402
2014 NYCBC 3202.2.1
ASHRAE 90.1 Section 5
1 RCNY 5000-01

This document clarifies conditions under which an addition, alteration, or repair to a building envelope may not be required to comply with the 2020 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC), pursuant to section NYCECC Chapters R5, C5, or Appendix CA (amendments to ASHRAE 90.1-2016).

April 22, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-006

Supersedes:
BB 2020-004

Rescinded by:
BB 2021-009

AC 28-103.8
AC 28-201.1
BC 3301.2
BC 3301.5

This bulletin provides updated guidance to owners and contractors regarding how to secure their construction and demolition sites when operations are suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

April 2, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-005

Supersedes: Prospectively and Partially Supersedes Operations Policy and Procedure Notice # 7/02

Related Bulletin(s): BB 2016-010

AC 28-104.2.1
AC 28-104.2.2
BB 2016-010
OPPN #7/02
AC 28-104.7
AC 28-105.10
OPPN #8/96
OPPN #17/95
BC 107
1 RCNY 21-02
ZR 12-10
ZR 32-01
ZR 42-01

This bulletin seeks to clarify the application process for Adult Establishment applications under the 2001 Zoning Resolution Amendments.

March 30, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-004

Superseded by:
BB 2020-006

AC 28-103.8
AC 28-201.1
BC 3301.2
BC 3301.5

This bulletin provides guidance to owners and contractors regarding how to secure their construction and demolition sites when operations are suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

March 2, 2020

Zoning/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-003

ZR 12-10 Definition of “Zoning Lot”

This document clarifies that a newly formed zoning lot may not consist of parts of tax lots.

February 19, 2020

Operational/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-002

1 RCNY 5000-01

This bulletin clarifies when to apply the 2016 New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) or the 2020 NYCECC to New Building (NB) and Alteration (Alt) applications.

January 22, 2020

Technical/
Buildings Bulletin
2020-001

AC 27-3004
EC 300.21
BC 713

This bulletin clarifies that the installation of firestops does not require a New York City licensed electrician.