On March 26, 2025, the New York City Council passed sweeping legislation aimed at overhauling the long-standing rules around sidewalk sheds. The new legislation is intended to reduce the number of sidewalk sheds lingering on city streets and improve aesthetics, while holding property owners and city agencies accountable for timely compliance with facade repair obligations.
Key Highlights of the Legislation:
- Time Limits on Sheds Have Been Greatly Reduced: Sidewalk shed permits will now be limited to 90 days, down from the current one-year term, unless connected to demolition, a building alteration, or new building construction. If a shed has been up for over 90 days, property owners will be required to progress work beginning with the second extension and file a detailed report explaining the delay and outlining the next steps.
- Penalties for Delays Are Now Heavier: Property owners who allow sheds to linger without timely repairs and reporting will face escalating penalties tied to the shed’s age and size. Likewise, new penalties have been introduced for the failure to reach certain milestones in the performance of façade repairs from the date of the initial issuance of a sidewalk shed permit, including submitting construction documents within five months, filing permit applications within eight months, and completing the façade project within two years.
- Dept. of Buildings (DOB) Required to Recommend New Designs by Sept. 30: The Department of Buildings (DOB) must proactively recommend new sidewalk shed designs to the Council by September 30, 2025. Sheds can now be painted in a wider range of colors, and the minimum height can be raised to 12 feet, subject to limited exceptions. The DOB will also publicize rules regarding alternatives to sheds, such as netting. Lighting requirements have been strengthened.
- Longer Inspection Cycles Are Being Considered: The city is reviewing the Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP), with a proposal to extend inspection cycles from every 5 years to 6–12 years. New buildings would have their first inspection at 9 years instead of 5.
What This Means for Property Owners:
This legislation is a push toward cleaner, safer, and less obstructed sidewalks, but it comes with increased responsibilities for building owners.
Thus, the proposed legislation may be advantageous to property owners by allowing more attractive shed design options and reducing costs of compliance with longer intervals between façade inspections. At the same time, stricter timelines and documentation requirements may lead to more significant efforts in accelerating repair projects. In some cases, property owners who are delayed due to multiple unforeseen issues will have to comply with reporting requirements or face heavier penalties for delays.
If you own or manage property in NYC, this legislation will significantly impact how you manage FISP projects. Property owners should review their existing compliance plans and prepare for tighter timelines. Early planning and proactive coordination will be essential to avoid penalties and minimize costs. Likewise, ensuring that construction contracts and adjacent access agreements are properly negotiated will become even more important under these circumstances.
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