NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced new programs and regulatory changes aimed at removing long-standing sidewalk sheds and reducing how often they are required across the city.
The announcement took place at Highbridge Gardens, where the New York City Housing Authority is removing sheds that had been in place for five years due to unsafe façade conditions that have since been repaired.
Mamdani said the initiative is intended to improve sidewalks and public spaces across the city.
“In the greatest city in the world, we should not accept darkened sidewalks and covered walkways as a fact of life,” Mamdani said.
City officials said Highbridge Gardens is one of 40 developments where the New York City Housing Authority is using $650 million in state and federal funding to complete façade repairs. So far, about $400 million in repairs have been completed and sheds have been removed from more than 200 buildings.
Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg said the effort aims to address quality-of-life concerns tied to long-standing sheds.
“Sheds may seem small, but they are a big imposition on New Yorkers’ quality of life,” Bozorg said. “New Yorkers should be able to enjoy natural light and unobstructed public space.”
The city’s New York City Department of Buildings is also proposing rule changes to reduce how often building façades must be inspected under the city’s façade safety law.
Under the proposal, the inspection cycle would extend from every five years to every six years. Lower-risk buildings with strong maintenance records could qualify for an abbreviated program requiring hands-on inspections every 12 years instead of every five.
Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said the city has already reduced the number of sidewalk sheds.
“Efforts led by the Buildings Department have already led to a 17 percent decline in sidewalk sheds citywide,” Tigani said.
New rules would also limit the size of sheds installed for unsafe façades. Currently, sheds can extend outward from buildings up to half the building’s height. Under the proposed regulations, sheds would be limited to a maximum of 40 feet from the building.
Officials said the change will allow more open space to remain uncovered at large properties such as housing developments and university campuses.
The Department of Buildings is also proposing enforcement rules that would penalize property owners who leave sheds in place for more than 180 days without beginning façade repairs. Owners would also be required to provide status updates every 90 days.
City officials said the new oversight rules are expected to take effect this summer after a public comment period.