Scaffolding (Sidewalk Sheds) Reforms

In April of 2025, the NYC Hospitality Alliance joined Mayor Adams, City Council members, and other leaders for the bill signing, enacting scaffolding reform laws that we advocated for. Scaffolding harms our restaurants, bars and other small businesses. With over 8,400 scaffolding structures citywide—many aging over 500 days and some standing for more than five years—scaffolding impacts our streetscapes and storefronts. Below is our statement and an overview of the scaffolding bills signed into law.

“When scaffolding goes up above a restaurant, business often plummets. When it stays up year after year, it blights the block and can have a devastating impact on small business sales, including harming restaurants and jobs. That’s why we commend Mayor Adams for signing into law this important scaffolding reform legislation that will keep pedestrians safe, while giving these ugly structures a face lift, putting them up less frequently, and getting them down faster. We’re also grateful to our fellow advocates, the Adams’ Administration, and the City Council for passing these essential reforms.” Andrew Rigie, Executive Director, NYC Hospitality Alliance

The NYC Hospitality Alliance will keep advocating for scaffolding reforms

Explanation of the Reforms

Introduction 391-A (sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers):

• Requires DOB to study and recommend new sidewalk shed designs by September 30, 2025.
• Allows more color options for sheds and mandates matching construction fences.
• Increases lighting beneath sidewalk sheds and raises minimum height to 12 feet (with exceptions).
• Requires DOB to publicize rules on containment netting as an alternative.

Introduction 393-A (sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers):

• Reduces sidewalk shed permit duration for façade repairs from 1 year to 3 months (except for certain construction types).
• Creates penalties for property owners delaying necessary repairs for sidewalk sheds.
• Penalties start with the second permit renewal, increasing based on shed size and age.
• Owners must provide proof of work or explanation for delays during permit renewal.

Introduction 394-A (sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers):

• Requires DOB to review Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) and recommend changes by December 31, 2025.
• Extends inspection cycle from every 5 years to 6–12 years.
• Delays first required inspection for new buildings from 5 to 9 years.

Introduction 660-A (sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher):

• Doubles required lighting level under sidewalk sheds, mandates LED lights.
• Requires adjustable or shielded lighting within 20 feet of windows/doors to prevent excess brightness in homes.

Introduction 661-A (sponsored by Council Member Erik Bottcher):

• Strengthens enforcement of façade repairs with penalties for:
  • Failure to submit construction documents within 5 months of completion.
  • Failure to file permit applications within 8 months.
  • Failure to complete repairs within 2 years.
• Allows property owners to request extensions with proof of unavoidable delays. Penalties are tolled until an extension decision is made.