Newsflash: Mayor Signs New Building Code Into Law

The New York City Buildings Code officially got its first overhaul in 39 years today when Mayor Bloomberg signed legislation that aims to bring less bureaucracy and more accountability to the system that governs how renovation and construction. The first step of the three-stage plan finances 14 additional DOB inspectors and engineers who will proactively investigate excavation sites. The new codes will become effective July 1, 2008; for the following year, builders will be able to follow either set of rules.
Press Release 7/3/07 [NYC.gov]
Building Code Overhaul Submitted by Mayor, DOB [Brownstoner]
Press release on the jump

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG AND BUILDINGS COMMISSIONER PATRICIA LANCASTER ANNOUNCE LANDMARK MEASURES TO MODERNIZE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

Enactment of New NYC Construction Codes and Launch of Three-Phase Enforcement Plan Signify Continuing Commitment to Buildings Department Reform

Phase 1 of the Plan Includes $6 Million Investment for Multidisciplinary Enforcement Model

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today signed legislation that enacted the first modernization of the City Building Code since 1968 and announced a comprehensive enforcement plan expected to raise the bar for construction standards in New York City. Built on the expertise and recommendations from hundreds of professionals brought together by the Administration for the revision effort, the New NYC Construction Codes incorporate national standards and rules emphasizing safety, efficiency, and sustainability while broadening the Buildings Department’s enforcement tools. As the City’s unprecedented construction activity continues, the enforcement plan, the result of the collaborative efforts of the Mayor’s office, the City Council and the Council’s Department of Buildings Taskforce, will enable the Buildings Department to better facilitate safe development while the new NYC Construction Codes will expand the framework for enforcement and administrative actions. The enforcement plan calls for new operational tactics to be implemented in three phases, starting with new funding and staff for the Buildings Department that will allow it to crack down on repeat offenders and increase inspections of professionally-certified jobs. The Mayor was joined today by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Councilman James Oddo and Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster.

Overhauling the building code was such a daunting task that for years no one would even consider it. That’s why today is truly a landmark day in New York City construction. I want to thank Commissioner Lancaster, our partners in the Council and everyone in the industry who came together to get this done. We’ve committed to not only improving and modernizing the code, but also to stepping up enforcement efforts, said Mayor Bloomberg. For too long the Buildings Department didn’t have the resources or the tools necessary to effectively ensure safety and compliance, and over the past several years we’ve been working to reverse that. Today we are taking another big critical step towards that end.