Manhattan scaffold work is governed by NYC Admin Code Title 28, Local Law 196 (40 hours Site Safety Training), and NY State Labor Law 240/241 (the Scaffold Law).
Manhattan construction and facade work routinely uses sidewalk sheds, supported scaffolds, and suspended scaffolds. NYC Administrative Code Title 28 Chapter 33 and NYC Building Code Chapter 33 require DOB permits for sidewalk sheds, supported scaffolds over 40 feet, suspended scaffolds, and hoists. Local Law 196 of 2017 requires all construction workers at DOB-permitted job sites (above certain thresholds) to complete 40 hours of OSHA-based Site Safety Training, and Site Safety Managers or Coordinators on major sites. NY State Labor Law Section 240 (the Scaffold Law) and Section 241 impose absolute liability on owners and general contractors for elevation-related injuries and failure to provide proper safety devices. Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L also applies. Sidewalk sheds associated with Local Law 11 facade work can remain for years in Manhattan.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
New York County, NY
Manhattan enforces NYC Admin Code 24-235, which prohibits a dog from barking more than 10 minutes continuously during the day or 5 minutes at night in any re...
New York County, NY
Manhattan enforces NYC Administrative Code Title 24 Chapter 2, limiting interior residential noise to 45 dBA between 10 PM and 7 AM, with NYPD and DEP respon...
New York County, NY
Outdoor music events in Manhattan require an NYPD Sound Device Permit and a Mayor Office Street Activity Permit, and must comply with NYC Admin Code 24-244 t...
New York County, NY
NYC Admin Code Title 24 Chapter 2 sets tiered dBA limits in Manhattan: 45 dBA interior night residential, 50 dBA day, 7 to 10 dBA above ambient commercial, w...
New York County, NY
Private outdoor pools are rare in Manhattan, but any residential pool over 24 inches deep must have a 4-foot barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates u...
New York County, NY
Barbed and razor wire are prohibited on residential property in NYC. In landmarked or historic districts of Manhattan, the LPC controls fence materials and t...
See how New York County's scaffold & sidewalk shed rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.