Overview

• The New York City Council is set to pass a package of five bills to reform scaffolding regulations, with broad support from lawmakers and Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
• Proposed changes include reducing sidewalk shed permit durations from one year to 90 days and penalizing landlords who delay necessary construction work.
• The reforms would extend facade inspection cycles for newer buildings from five to up to 12 years, decreasing the frequency of mandated scaffolding.
• New requirements for improved aesthetics and safety include updated shed designs, expanded color options, and increased lighting standards.
• The legislation addresses longstanding criticism of the city’s 8,400 sidewalk sheds, some of which have remained in place for years, negatively impacting urban aesthetics and local businesses.