{"id":7593,"date":"2025-07-29T13:34:41","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T17:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/randpc.com\/blog\/?p=7593"},"modified":"2025-07-29T13:51:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T17:51:44","slug":"local-law-47-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/local-law-47-of-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Law 47 Brings Big Changes to NYC Sidewalk Shed Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7596 \" src=\"https:\/\/randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-485x364.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"529\" height=\"397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-485x364.jpg 485w, https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed-360x270.jpg 360w, https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sidewalk-shed.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York City's sidewalk sheds are getting a notable upgrade.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/assets\/buildings\/local_laws\/ll47of2025.pdf\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local Law 47 of 2025<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, signed into law this April and effective as of August 15, 2025, introduces meaningful changes to sidewalk shed requirements that will affect construction and facade projects across the city, with a focus on improved aesthetics and enhanced pedestrian experience while keeping public safety a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What's Changed: Key Provisions at a Glance<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>New Color Options<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The days of monotonous hunter green sheds are ending. Local Law 47 expands acceptable colors to include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunter green<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Metallic gray<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For existing buildings (excluding full demolitions), any solid color that matches the building\u2019s: facade, trim, cornice, or visible roofing colors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This expanded palette offers more flexibility for projects in historic districts or high-visibility locations where aesthetics are a concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Improved Pedestrian Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make sidewalk sheds feel less like tunnels, the law increases the minimum ceiling height from 8 feet to 12 feet (unless that would block light, air, or egress like fire escapes). It also raises lighting standards from 1 to 1.5 foot-candles, with 5 foot-candles required near transit entrances, and introduces stricter efficacy standards for more energy-efficient lighting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Alternative Protection Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DOB is developing rules that may allow containment netting to be used as an alternative to full sidewalk sheds in areas with no public access or on building exposures adjacent to facade work areas.If adopted, this could offer a lighter, less obtrusive (and often less expensive) option for buildings undergoing minor exterior repairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reduced Coverage Requirements for Certain Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local Law 47 introduces a new exception to the typical sidewalk shed coverage requirements. For facade-only maintenance or repair on buildings that have no setbacks or projections above the second story (except AC units, lintels, or sills), sidewalk sheds are not required to cover areas of the sidewalk that are more than 40 feet away from the building along its length.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This change reduces how much of the sidewalk needs to be protected along the building\u2019s frontage, which can help lower installation costs and minimize sidewalk disruption during routine facade work. That said, the Department of Buildings may still require extended coverage if a site presents unique hazards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Strategic Considerations for Upcoming Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Local Law 47 taking effect on August 15, 2025, now is a good time to review your project timelines and shed design plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Projects that begin after August 15 will need to follow the new requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Projects already underway can continue under current rules, so if your current shed design is simpler or more cost-effective, it may be worth moving your schedule forward to avoid added height or lighting requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the new 12-foot shed height could increase costs, other changes in the law - like reduced shed coverage and the future option of containment netting - may offer savings depending on your building and scope of work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every project is different, and understanding how these changes apply to your specific situation can help you make the most efficient and informed decisions moving forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Preparing for Implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Immediate Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review upcoming projects for compliance with shed height, lighting, and color requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate whether reduced shed coverage applies to your building<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coordinate with design teams to develop color-matching strategies when appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your building is preparing for a Cycle 10 <a href=\"https:\/\/randpc.com\/fisp\">Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP)<\/a> filing or exterior work, now is a good time to revisit shed design, access planning, and potential cost impacts under these updated requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Department of Buildings is expected to release additional rules and guidance in the coming months, particularly regarding containment netting alternatives and potential mandatory design standards. We will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Local Law 47 of 2025 brings big changes to how sidewalk sheds are designed and installed in New York City. From increased height and lighting requirements to a new 40-foot exception for certain facade projects, the law aims to improve pedestrian experience and reduce unnecessary sidewalk disruption. In this article, we break down what\u2019s changing, who it affects, and what building owners and property managers should consider when planning upcoming work.<\/p>\n <span class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/local-law-47-of-2025\/\" class=\"more-link\" title=\"Read More\"><strong>Read more<\/strong><\/a><\/span>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":7596,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[882,566,413,717,18,78,1],"tags":[889,305,113,891,371,384,884,79],"class_list":["post-7593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-building-envelope","category-exterior-walls","category-facade-inspection-safety-program-fisp","category-facade-inspections","category-facades","category-sidewalk-sheds","category-uncategorized","tag-access","tag-facade-inspection-safety-program","tag-fisp","tag-insurance","tag-rand","tag-rand-engineering-architecture","tag-scaffolding","tag-sidewalk-sheds-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7593"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7601,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7593\/revisions\/7601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/m.randpc.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}