Weigh in On NYC’s New Designs For Long-Loathed Sidewalk Sheds

Can a makeover make scaffolding, a ubiquitous feature at thousands of buildings across the city, less of a nuisance? The design plans come as officials roll out new rules to get more of the safety equipment down, and more quickly.

Sidewalk sheds are getting a makeover.

The city is asking the public to weigh in on six updated scaffolding designs, which aim to offer “more light, visibility and space” than the thousands of typical pipe-and-plywood structures in place at properties across the city.

Jeanmarie EvellyEdit Profile

The Department of Buildings, which unveiled the upgraded shed looks last year, published proposed rules and technical schematics Thursday for the new designs, and will hold a hearing next month to get public feedback on them.

Scaffolding is required to protect pedestrians from falling debris when buildings are under construction, or in unsafe conditions. But many stay up much longer than they should, blocking sidewalks, sunlight, and causing other quality of life issues. There are more than 7,400 sheds up currently citywide, and the average has been there for more than 500 days.

Their presence is especially felt at the city’s public housing developments, where deteriorating building conditions and lack of repair funds has fueled a proliferation of scaffolding.

“New Yorkers have gotten used to sidewalk sheds darkening our streets and taking up precious public space, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement Thursday.

The six designs up for approval are tailored to specific needs, like the “Rigid Shed,” which is intended for new construction projects, while the “Speed Shed” is for buildings getting quick repairs. The public can submit comments on the plans until Sept. 24, and the city will hold a hearing that day.

Officials are also implementing several new rules aimed at getting property owners to make repairs and get scaffolding down faster. One regulation that took effect last week requires landlords to renew their shed permits every 90 days, instead of annually, and provide the city with “detailed information” about the work being done.

The Department of Buildings also increased penalties for owners who leave scaffolding up when no repairs are being made, and reduced the required size of sidewalk sheds on campuses—like NYCHA developments or local colleges—so they’re less obstructive.

“We are now building a cityscape that New Yorkers deserve,” Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said in a statement.

To reach the editor, contact Jeanmarie@citylimits.org

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