New York City Department of Buildings
Encyclopedia
The New York City Department of Buildings is the branch of municipal government in New York City
that enforces the City's building codes and zoning regulations, issues building permits, and inspects new and existing buildings.
since its early days as New Amsterdam
in the 17th century. A "Superintendent of Buildings" position was created within the Fire Department in 1860, in response to the Elm Street Fire on the Lower East Side
of Manhattan
, which killed 20 people. The first Buildings Department was created in Manhattan in 1892. In 1901 the New York State Legislature passed the Tenement Housing Act of 1901, which established a city Tenement Housing Department, including a Buildings Bureau and a Bureau of Inspection. A city-wide Department of Buildings though did not exist until 1936.
The Department has been restructured numerous times during its existence, and the present Department of Buildings dates from 1972, when the Housing and Development Administration was split into the Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development
.
, each handling permitting and enforcement for that part of the City. Each office is overseen by a Borough Commissioner and one or more Deputy Borough Commissioners. At the senior level, a Commissioner and Deputies report directly to the Mayor.
The Department has a staff of 1,100, including Plan Examiners who review building plans and permit applications, and 426 building inspectors
who visit existing buildings and new construction to ensure they are safe and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The Department issues 110,000 work permits annually, and performs 324,000 inspections each year.
The commissioner is Robert LiMandri, who was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
on October 8, 2008, officially replacing Patricia J. Lancaster who resigned on April 22, 2008.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
that enforces the City's building codes and zoning regulations, issues building permits, and inspects new and existing buildings.
History
Building and construction regulations have existed in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
since its early days as New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam
New Amsterdam was a 17th-century Dutch colonial settlement that served as the capital of New Netherland. It later became New York City....
in the 17th century. A "Superintendent of Buildings" position was created within the Fire Department in 1860, in response to the Elm Street Fire on the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, which killed 20 people. The first Buildings Department was created in Manhattan in 1892. In 1901 the New York State Legislature passed the Tenement Housing Act of 1901, which established a city Tenement Housing Department, including a Buildings Bureau and a Bureau of Inspection. A city-wide Department of Buildings though did not exist until 1936.
The Department has been restructured numerous times during its existence, and the present Department of Buildings dates from 1972, when the Housing and Development Administration was split into the Department of Buildings and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is the mayoral agency of New York City responsible for developing and maintaining the city's stock of affordable housing. HPD is headquartered in Lower Manhattan, and includes smaller branch offices in each of the city's five...
.
Organization
The Department of Buildings has separate offices for each City BoroughBorough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
, each handling permitting and enforcement for that part of the City. Each office is overseen by a Borough Commissioner and one or more Deputy Borough Commissioners. At the senior level, a Commissioner and Deputies report directly to the Mayor.
The Department has a staff of 1,100, including Plan Examiners who review building plans and permit applications, and 426 building inspectors
Building inspector
A building inspection is performed by a person who is employed by either a city, township or county and is usually certified in one or more disciplines, either as a residential or commercial building inspector, a plumbing, electrical or mechanical inspector or other specialty to inspect structures...
who visit existing buildings and new construction to ensure they are safe and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The Department issues 110,000 work permits annually, and performs 324,000 inspections each year.
The commissioner is Robert LiMandri, who was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
on October 8, 2008, officially replacing Patricia J. Lancaster who resigned on April 22, 2008.