Local Law 51 of 2025 — Façade Repair Penalties

Local Law 51 of 2025 amended the NYC Administrative Code to establish penalties for building owners who fail to complete façade repairs in a timely manner following the issuance of a sidewalk shed permit.

§ 28-220.2.1 Assessment of penalties for failing to complete façade repairs in a timely manner.

Where an initial permit for the erection of a sidewalk shed in the public right-of-way is issued on or after the effective date of the local law that added this section, penalties for failure to timely complete façade repairs shall be assessed to the building owner by the department within the ranges set forth in items 1 through 3 of this section.

1. A penalty of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000 shall be imposed if complete construction documents to repair the unsafe condition of the façade of such building are not filed with the department within 5 months of the issuance of an initial permit for the erection of a sidewalk shed in the public right-of-way.

2. A penalty of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000 shall be imposed if an owner does not file a complete permit application for the repair of an unsafe façade and fails to diligently pursue such application, including but not limited to responding to objections in a timely manner to enable the department to issue such permit within 8 months of the issuance of an initial permit for the erection of a sidewalk shed in the public right-of-way.

3. A penalty of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000 shall be imposed if permitted work to repair an unsafe façade is not completed within 2 years of the issuance of an initial permit for the erection of a sidewalk shed in the public right-of-way, unless the department granted an extension pursuant to section 28-220.2.2.

Exception: Department penalties for failure to complete façade repairs in a timely manner shall not apply to sidewalk sheds installed in connection with permitted new building, enlargement, or demolition work.

§ 28-220.2.2 Extensions of time to complete façade repairs.

Upon request by the owner of a building subject to section 28-220.2, the commissioner may grant an extension of time to commence or complete façade repairs according to the timeline in section 28-220.2.1. Such request shall be made to the commissioner in writing, in a form and manner and within such period of time, as determined by the department. Such request shall toll the timeline in section 28-220.2.1 until a decision on such request is made. Such request shall include documentation explaining why such timelines cannot be met, and a contract indicating the scope of repairs and a timeline to complete those repairs. Upon submission of a contract indicating a timeline greater than 2 years, the owner may apply for a single extension, the duration of which shall be determined by the department based on factors such as the size of the building, the scope of necessary work, and the materials necessary to complete such work. The penalties outlined in section 28-220.2.1 may be imposed where façade repairs are not completed within such timeline. The department may charge a fee, to be determined by the department by rule, for each extension request submitted to the department.