Mayor Eric Adams with the signed “Small Business Forward” Executive Order. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

The executive order requires agencies to evaluate their most common summonses issued. On January 4, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams signed the “Small Business Forward” Executive Order to help small businesses face fewer fines and penalties as they continue to recover from the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order requests that agencies like the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, Department of Consumer Worker and Protection, Department of Sanitation, Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene examine their business regulations to reduce fine schedules, allow cure periods, or provide warnings for first time violations.  (more…)