DOB Expands Enforcement to Remove Long Standing Sidewalk Sheds

Revised criteria for the Long Standing Shed (LSS) program lower the threshold from five years to three.

PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM

PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has announced a major expansion of its enforcement efforts aimed at tackling the blight of long-standing sidewalk sheds across the five boroughs. As part of its “Get Sheds Down” campaign, the DOB has revised the criteria for its Long Standing Shed (LSS) program, lowering the threshold from five years to three.

This policy shift means that any shed standing for more than three years will now be subject to enhanced inspections and enforcement, significantly increasing the number of properties under scrutiny. The move is designed to pressure building owners to complete long-overdue facade repairs and remove sheds that have long outlived their intended temporary use.

Since its launch, the LSS program has already led to the removal of 385 long standing sheds, improving sidewalk conditions and restoring open space to neighborhoods citywide. The new enforcement expansion is made possible by an infusion of additional DOB personnel dedicated to this effort.

“This sends a clear message,” said a DOB spokesperson. “Property owners can no longer use sidewalk sheds as indefinite cover for delaying building repairs.”🀰