Get the latest code, zoning and compliance news and insights from Metropolis Group.
Department of Buildings / Industry News
By Garvey Thelemaque The DOB requires most licensed trades to complete regular exams – both written and practical. The first step for any candidate interested in earning, or renewing a license is to follow the correct steps to apply for ...
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By Frank Fortino We have seen an uptick in inquiries from buildings which have a functioning fire alarm system yet which do not have a letter of approval. We now have clarity on this issue, thanks to a FDNY’s Technology Management ...
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By Austin Regan We have touched on Administrative Code section AC 28-101.4.5 “Work that increases existing floor surface area of a prior Code building by more than 110 percent.” This section, introduced in the 2014 Code, clarifies that when enlarging ...
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By Andrew J. Pisani This week we faced another tragic event with the explosion and destructive fire in the East Village. As the investigation unearths the facts, we’ve learned that everything points to illegal work performed without required permits, and ...
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By Penny Laughlin Everyone thinks of New York City as an epicenter of global business. We should also think of it as a booming ecosystem of small business. Small businesses face tremendous challenges in getting off the ground. Regulations, permits, ...
Read MoreDepartment of Buildings / Industry News
By Garvey Thelemaque The DOB has started a new after-hours program that keeps its doors open until 7:00 pm every Tuesday, called Homeowners and Residents night. The service intends to make it easier for residents to access the Agency’s one-on-one ...
Read MoreIndustry News / Safety
By Johan Soltani At the beginning of the year, Governor Cuomo signed a bill mandating that all restaurants and commercial buildings install carbon monoxide detectors. The legislation, dubbed Steven Nelson’s Law, followed the death of a restaurant manager who succumbed ...
Read MoreDepartment of Buildings / Industry News / Violations
By Renee Sosnowski The Implementation of LL141, which amends the DOB Penalty Schedule, is going into effect on April 4, 2015. The New York City Environmental Control Board has modified the ECB Buildings Penalty Schedule to enforce Local Law 141 ...
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By Brian Redlein Buildings are rising and construction continues to boom at a remarkable clip throughout the City. Developers are eager to break ground on new projects in order to cash in on soaring property values, offering amenities, fast timelines, ...
Read MoreIndustry News / Transportation
By Wayne Sheppard Having lived in Harlem, at West 147th Street and 7th Avenue, for almost 30 years & participating in organized sports in Colonel Young Park, (located between West 142nd & West 145th Streets, and Lenox Avenue), I have ...
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By Brian Lafferty We’re always amazed that, with such documented risks, landlords continue to rent illegal apartments. Some are basement spaces, others are rooms without proper windows or ventilations, without proper bathrooms or kitchen facilities. A building’s Certificate of Occupancy ...
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By Bruno Caligara Among the growing trends in architecture is the shift towards modular homes. Built in factories and assembled on site, these homes have proven to be an effective solution for affordable housing. The conversation around modular homes has ...
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