After a year and a half since the bill was introduced, the Council finally votes to create a permanent outdoor dining program. On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int 31-C, which establishes a permanent outdoor dining program. The program will allow sidewalk cafes to operate annually and roadway cafes to operate seasonally, with removable furniture and decor replacing solid dining shed structures. The program follows the temporary outdoor dining program that … <Read More>
Search Results for: Legislation
Mayor and DOB Announce Overhaul of Sidewalk Construction Shed Rules
Sidewalk sheds stay up for an average of over 500 days, but some stay up for several years. On July 24, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo announced “Get Sheds Down,” an overhaul of the rules relating to sidewalk construction sheds (scaffolding). While the sheds are required for construction, facade inspections, and repairs, existing laws often enable property owners to leave up the construction sheds for a long time, and … <Read More>
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>
Council Approves Two Bills to Expand Resources for LGBTQ+ and Runaway Homeless Youth
On June 8, 2023, the City Council approved two bills to expand resources for LGBTQ+ and runaway homeless youth. Both bills, Int. 976-A and 977-A, were sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens.
Mayor Signs Bill Banning Weight and Height Discrimination in Housing, Employment, and Public Accommodations
On May 26, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation that prohibits discrimination due to a person’s weight or height in employment, housing and public accommodations. Int. 209-A-2022 was sponsored by Council Member Shaun Abreu.
Council Passes Bill to Include High School Students in Ferry Discount Program
On March 16, 2023, the NYC Council approved Council Member Amanda Farías’s bill, Int. 0236-2022, that will reduce NYC Ferry’s fares for NYC high school students by including them in the NYC Ferry Discount Program.