Council Passes Bill to Further Crack Down on Illegal Smoke Shops

The Council passed the bill the same day Governor Hochul announced additional state measures to address illegal smoke shops. On June 22, 2023, the City Council Committee on Public Safety passed a new bill to address New York City’s ongoing problem with unlicensed smoke shops. Int. 1001-B (2023), sponsored by Council Member Lynn Schulman from Queens, will hold landlords accountable for knowingly leasing a commercial premises to an unlicensed tenant who sells controlled substances or … <Read More>


Buildings Announces Return and Expansion of Summer No-Penalty Inspection Program

Buildings has conducted thousands of inspections since the program’s launch in 2005. On June 21, 2023, the Department of Buildings announced the return of the No-Penalty Inspection Program, which offers property owners the opportunity for a free, no-penalty visual inspection of certain parts of their property. The program encourages property owners to take proactive steps in ensuring their property is safe. 


Mayor and City Planning Unveil Details for City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Zoning Text Amendment

The amendment is the second of three proposed zoning text amendments from Mayor Adams designed to address outdated zoning issues. On June 14, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick revealed the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning text amendment. The proposed amendment is part of Mayor Adams’ City of Yes zoning text amendments to modernize the zoning text and remove burdensome outdated provisions <Read More>



Shabbos Open Streets Are Coming to Staten Island

The Department of Transportation and the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island partner to launch two new Open Street locations during Shabbos. On May 31, NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that the agency will be launching two new Open Street locations in Staten Island. The Open Streets will be located in the Castleton Corners neighborhood, one on Suffolk Avenue, between Queen Street and Harold Street, and the other on Vermont Court, … <Read More>


City Planning to Hold Public Info Session for City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Text Amendment

On June 13, 2023, the Department of City Planning will host a public information session to discuss the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The proposed amendment is one of three “City of Yes” zoning text amendments first proposed last summer that aim to modernize zoning rules and remove unnecessary obstacles for the production of housing, job growth, and implementation of green energy measures.