New York City’s Amended Scaffolding Rules
Over 9,000 temporary structures are currently set up across the city to protect the public from falling debris during construction or façade repairs. Nearly 1,000 of these “temporary” structures have been in place for more than three years, with no evidence of building improvements underway.
Many New Yorkers see these sheds as an eyesore and nuisance. They block natural light, create dark, hidden, and sometimes unsafe spaces, and obstruct access to small businesses that rely on foot traffic. In fact, data from a recent study commissioned with Mastercard found that sidewalk sheds lead to a decrease in monthly spending of $3,900 to $9,500 at nearby Manhattan businesses, with restaurants and bars hit hardest, showing a 3.5% to 9.7% drop in weekly transactions within six months of shed installation.
The City Council is considering reforms to the laws that regulate sidewalk sheds and scaffolding. These reforms would:
Extend the time between mandated city inspections to reflect building age and type
Require removal of sidewalk structures when there is no active construction
Impose penalties on property owners who do not apply for construction permits within six months of installing a sidewalk structure
Create new design requirements for more attractive, well-lit structures
The Debate: Supporters believe these reforms will reduce sidewalk obstructions, enhance city aesthetics, and make the city safer and cleaner. Opponents are concerned that these changes may not provide adequate time for repairs and inspections that would be required under the new rules, could penalize property owners for delays beyond their control, and may make building new structures more expensive.
New laws that would require these structures to be removed more quickly could be enacted in the City Council’s last session of the year on December 19.
Today, the City Council passed the "City of Yes for Housing Opportunity" with a majority vote, marking a significant step toward addressing New Yorkers' frustrations with the high cost of housing. This initiative will accelerate and simplify the zoning process for new housing development, along with a commitment of $5 billion in city and state funds to make housing more affordable.
