New York City To Overhaul Building Codes

"Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster have submitted a landmark modernization of the City Building Code, the first since 1968, to the council for review and consideration.

The Mayor's proposal overhauls all aspects of the City's construction codes, setting new standards and rules on safety, efficiency and sustainability. The proposal will be called the NYC Construction Codes.

"Our City's population is expected to grow by one million by 2030, and the pace of new construction is likely to continue to be brisk in the years ahead," said Mayor Bloomberg. "If this massive revision to the City's Building Code is approved by the City Council, outdated regulations that are unnecessarily complex and convoluted will be replaced. The international competitiveness of our City will be increased with new, streamlined Construction Codes that allow for the cheaper construction of safer and more environmentally responsible buildings. This proposal will make new construction less expensive and make it easier to build more affordable housing."

The new Codes adopt some national standards and accept the use of new materials and technologies, which will make building easier and less expensive. The proposed Codes recognize electronic submissions and digital documents and will be organized according to the International Code Council format, which is widely recognized by the industry as being more user-friendly. To make sure the Codes never become dated again, the proposed law will be tied to the national three-year revision cycle, enabling the City to take advantage of innovations in new materials and technology. The Department of Buildings will also allow online application filing and longer license durations. A cost study by the Department of Buildings has identified new code provisions that will provide opportunities for significant construction cost savings."