New York Construction Report staff writer
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a package of programs and regulatory changes aimed at reducing the number and footprint of sidewalk sheds across New York City, with a focus on long-standing installations at public housing developments.
Speaking at Highbridge Gardens, Mamdani said the initiative will accelerate the removal of sheds that have lingered for years, while updating inspection rules and coverage requirements to prevent unnecessary installations in the future.
The announcement comes as the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) continues façade repairs at 40 developments citywide using $650 million in state and federal funding. About $400 million worth of repairs have been completed so far, allowing sheds to be removed from more than 200 buildings.
At Highbridge Gardens, sheds that had been in place for five years due to unsafe façade conditions are now coming down following completed repairs.
“In the greatest city in the world, we should not accept darkened sidewalks and covered walkways as a fact of life,” Mamdani said, adding the changes are intended to improve quality of life by restoring light and open space.
The city’s New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is advancing several reforms, including changes to façade inspection requirements under Local Law 11. The proposed updates would extend the inspection cycle from five to six years and introduce a streamlined program for lower-risk buildings, allowing inspections as infrequently as every 12 years.
Officials say the changes are informed by a study conducted with engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti.
DOB is also limiting how far sidewalk sheds must extend from buildings. Under new rules tied to Local Law 47, sheds will be required to project no more than 40 feet from a structure. Previously, coverage could extend much farther—up to half the building’s height, often resulting in large areas of open space being blocked off.
The agency is further proposing new enforcement measures under Local Law 48, including penalties for sheds that remain in place longer than 180 days. Property owners would also be required to provide progress updates every 90 days on façade repairs.
Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said the measures build on recent progress, noting sidewalk sheds across the city have already declined by 17 per cent.
Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg said the reforms aim to reclaim public space. “New Yorkers should be able to enjoy natural light and unobstructed public space,” she said.
NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt added that ongoing façade work is improving safety and living conditions for residents, while enabling the removal of long-standing sheds.
The proposed rules are expected to take effect this summer following a public comment period in the coming weeks.
