That sidewalk shed has been up for years. Here's how to complain about it

The proliferation of sheds stems from Local Law 11, passed in 1998. The law requires facade inspections every five years for buildings 6+ stories. In practice, many owners bundle facade work with renovations, and the shed stays up for the duration—which can stretch years.

Key reasons sheds linger:

• Financing delays. Property owners delay renovation work due to cost or financing complications, leaving the shed up indefinitely.
• Permitting bottlenecks. Modification to the renovation plan can stall the project.
• Contractor disputes. Disagreements with contractors or changes in scope extend timelines.
• Abandoned projects. Some sheds are erected and then abandoned—the owner loses interest or the money runs out.
• DOB enforcement gaps. The Department of Buildings has a finite inspection capacity and does not actively monitor all sheds.

The city launched a "Get Sheds Down" initiative to push owners to remove sheds faster. Complaints from residents matter; they trigger DOB enforcement action.

The Department of Buildings maintains a public database. You can search by address:

1. Go to the DOB BIS (Building Information System) website.
2. Search by address.
3. Look for the shed or scaffold permit. The database shows the installation date and projected completion.
4. Calculate how long it has been standing. If it exceeds the original timeline by months or years, that's a strong basis for a complaint.

Alternatively, call 311 and ask about the shed age. Provide the address and mention "Local Law 11 facade shed." The operator can often give you the installation date on the spot.

File a complaint with the Department of Buildings via 311. Here's the process:

1. Go to portal.311.nyc.gov or call 311.
2. Search for "Sidewalk Shed" or "Scaffolding."
3. Provide the address. Include the installation date if you looked it up in DOB BIS. Note if the shed has exceeded its projected completion date.
4. Describe the issue: age, condition (rotting wood, hazard), obstruction of light or pedestrian access, trash accumulation.
5. Attach photos of the shed, especially if it is damaged, full of debris, or clearly abandoned.
6. Submit. You'll receive a Service Request Number (SRN).

Beyond sheer age, you can report sheds for specific conditions:

• Blocked pedestrian access. If the shed or its condition blocks the sidewalk or makes passage unsafe, report it. Include photos showing the obstruction.
• Damaged or rotting shed. Wood that is splintering, disintegrating, or obviously unsafe. This is a public safety hazard.
• Trash and debris. Sheds often accumulate litter, raccoon nests, and other debris. Report the condition.
• Blocked light and air. Some residential buildings lose daylight for years due to shed coverage. This is a quality-of-life complaint worth raising with DOB and your council member.
• Abandoned appearance. If the shed shows no signs of active work (no equipment, no workers, no changes in months), report it as likely abandoned.

DOB typically responds to shed complaints within 30–60 days, but resolution can be slow. If your shed remains after 30 days:

• File a second complaint and reference your original Service Request Number. Explain that the issue persists.
• Contact your city council member with your SRN(s) and explain the situation. Council members track constituent complaints to DOB and can pressure the agency.
• Attend your Community Board meeting and raise the issue publicly. Boards track patterns of non-compliance in their district.
• Contact your local precinct if the shed poses a safety hazard (broken wood, unsafe pedestrian passage).