New Year Brings New Local Laws
By Andrew Pisani
Despite the ongoing pandemic, New York City has stayed busy on the local law front. Here’s a reminder of relevant local laws that affect site safety, building inspection requirements, and property maintenance, along with their effective dates.
Local Law 74 of 2021. This law amends Chapter 33 (Safeguards during Construction or Demolition) of the NYC Building Code in relation to fences at stalled construction sites. At sites that have been stalled for at least two years, chain link fence will be used to secure the site. Such fences will be replaced by a solid fence before resuming construction. Effective date: December 24, 2021.
Local Law 119 of 2021. Amending Section 5 of Local Law 1 of 2018, this local law extends the application period for certification of no harassment pilot program to October 31, 2021. Effective date: September 27, 2021 (retroactive).
Local Law 137 of 2021. As previously reported, this law extends the deadlines for inspection and correction of building gas piping systems in certain community districts. Those buildings with compliance deadlines of December 31, 2021, now have until June 30, 2022, to complete inspections and/or correct deficiencies. Effective date: November 21, 2021. (Items b and c in Section 1 have retroactive effective dates of January 1, 2021.)
Local Law 138 of 2021. This law amends Chapter 3 (Maintenance of Buildings) of the NYC General Administrative Provisions regarding inspections of building gas piping systems and extensions to complete corrections. Effective dates: Section 4, March 21, 2022; Sections 1, 2 & 3, January 1, 2020 (retroactive).
Local Law 140 of 2021. This law amends Chapter 5 (Miscellaneous) of the NYC General Administrative Provisions to extend the certification of the no harassment pilot program created by Local Law 1 of 2018 until September 27, 2026. Effective date: October 31, 2021 (retroactive).
Local Law 146 of 2021. Amending the Administrative Code of the City of New York, this law removes the final inspection requirement for temporary construction equipment permits, and it prohibits installation or use of stand-off brackets. Effective date: December 11, 2021; Section 1 (final inspections), June 9, 2022.
Local Law 147 of 2021. This law alters the definition of “major building” to “an existing or proposed building seven or more stories or 75 feet or more in height, or an existing or proposed building with a building footprint of 100,000 square feet (30 480 m2) or more regardless of height, or an existing or proposed building so designated by the commissioner due to unique hazards associated with the construction or demolition of the structure. Effective date: December 11, 2024.
Local Law 148 of 2021. This law amends the New York City Building Code by adding a new section that specifies requirements for cold-formed steel construction. Effective date: November 7, 2022.
Local Law 149 of 2021. This law amends the New York City Building Code with regard to construction superintendents. Changes include, but are not limited to, exceptions to the designation limitations for construction superintendents and a new requirement for a weekly safety meeting. Effective dates: November 7, 2022; Section 4 (designation limitation exceptions), January 1, 2022.
Local Law 154 of 2021. Amending Chapter 5 (Miscellaneous) of the NYC General Administrative Provisions, this law governs the combustion of substances with certain carbon emission profiles. The law also establishes exceptions to the emission profile limits for new buildings. Effective date: December 22, 2021.
Local Law 163 of 2021. This law amends Chapter 33 (Safeguards during Construction or Demolition) of the NYC Building Code to support the City Canvas Program, which allows the display of approved artwork on temporary protective structures. Effective date: September 1, 2023.
If you have questions about how these local laws affect your projects, or if you need assistance, please contact Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.