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Sidewalk Shed

Work you can do without a permit, Licensed Contractor, or Registered Design Professional

There is some minor work, described below, that can be performed without a work permit, without hiring a Licensed Contractor, and/or without hiring a Registered Design Professional.

Work you can do without a permit

The NYC Administrative Code §28-105.4.5 clarifies work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for work to be done in any manner that violates the provisions of the code, including the zoning resolution or any other law or rules enforced by the Department. Such exemptions shall not relieve owners of the obligation to comply with the requirements of other city agencies, including any filing requirements. Unless otherwise indicated, permits shall not be required for the following:

Emergency Work

Licensed Contractors may perform emergency work without initially getting a permit. NYC Administrative Code Section AC 28-105.4.1 clarifies ‘emergency work’ as that would otherwise require a permit, but may be performed without a permit to the extent necessary to relieve an emergency condition. However, the application for a permit shall be submitted within 2 business days after the commencement of the emergency work, perform required inspections to close out the project, and shall include a written description of the emergency condition and the measures undertaken to mitigate the hazard. Emergency work, as it relates to Sidewalk Shed projects, may include but not be limited to stabilization of unsafe structural conditions.

When you need to hire a Licensed Contractor to obtain a permit

In lieu of the owner first hiring a Registered Design Professional to prepare and submit construction plans for approval by the Department, standard sheds prescribed by the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) in the meeting minutes of BSA #351-74-SM may be filed with the Department by an unlicensed applicant. If the shed is based on a BSA approved design, minimum design loads and specific member sizes, spans and spacing must be highlighted.

When you need to hire a Registered Design Professional, Licensed Contractor and obtain a permit

If the Sidewalk Shed project is comprised of aspects of work exceeding what is allowed in the items listed above, then a Registered Design Professional must submit construction plans, for approval by the Department, prior to obtaining a work permit.

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