The City Council recently passed legislation that will reform sidewalk shed rules to shorten the duration of sidewalk shed permits and improve their design.

The council estimates that there are more than 8,400 scaffolding structures across the city, and we all know how long they stay up. (The one at PS 234 was there for at least seven years and neighbors weighed in on the oldest here.) The majority are concentrated in Manhattan and the average age is more than 500 days old; 334 structures have been in place for more than five years (and that seems like a low-ball).

The bills were introduced by Midtown East councilman Keith Powers, and Chelsea/Soho councilman Erik Bottcher:

• Introduction 391-A would require the Department of Buildings to recommend new sidewalk shed designs to the council by September 30 and would allow more color options for sheds and require construction fences to match the color of the sidewalk shed, increase lighting beneath sidewalk sheds, and raise the minimum height to 12 feet whenever possible.

• Introduction 393-A would reduce the duration of sidewalk shed permits for façade repairs from 1 year to 3 months, unless connected to demolition, a building alteration, or new building construction. It would also create penalties for property owners who delay necessary repairs. Penalties would be enforced beginning with the second permit renewal, increasing based on the size and age of the shed.
• Introduction 394-A would require DOB to review the frequency of the Façade Inspection and Safety Program (FISP) and recommend changes to the Council by December 31. This bill would also extend the inspection cycle from every 5 years to a longer interval time between 6 to 12 years and delay the first required inspection for any new building from 5 to 9 years.
• Introduction 660-A would double the required level of lighting under sidewalk sheds and would require that lighting under sidewalk sheds be LED lights.
• Introduction 661-A would introduce penalties for failure to submit construction documents to DOB within 5 months of completion; failure to file necessary permit applications within 8 months; and failure to complete repairs within 2 years.

Here’s hoping.