{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-3306","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 3306","heading":"Section BC 3306: Demolition","body":"3306.1 Scope.\n\nAll full demolition and partial demolition operations shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of this section so that the safety of the public and property will not be endangered by demolition operations.\n\n3306.2 Protection of pedestrians and adjoining property.\n\nDemolition operations shall not commence until the applicable pedestrian and adjoining property protection is in place as required by Sections 3307, 3308, and 3309. In addition, safety zones and measures to prevent access shall be implemented as required by Sections 3306.2.1 and 3306.2.2.\n\n3306.2.1 Preventing access.\n\nThe permit holder, or where there is no permit holder, the person causing the demolition work to be performed, shall institute and maintain measures to prevent persons other than workers from entering areas where demolition work is occurring, debris is stored, or equipment is located.\n\n3306.2.2 Safety zone for exterior demolition.\n\nWhere demolition work occurs on the exterior of a building, the permit holder, or where there is no permit holder, the person causing the demolition work to be performed, shall institute and maintain a safety zone around the site to prevent persons other than workers from entering such safety zone. Where the safety zone precludes access to the entire demolition site, it shall be considered to satisfy the requirements of Section 3306.2.1.\n\nException: A safety zone is not required for the following types of work. Relief from the safety zone requirements does not grant relief from applicable pedestrian and adjoining property protection required by Sections 3307, 3308, and 3309, nor from the requirements of Section 3306.2.1.\n\n1. Demolition work whose scope is limited to a minor alteration or ordinary repair, and is accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices.\n\n2. Work whose scope is limited to the alteration, maintenance, or repair of a facade, and which does not constitute a facade recladding as defined in rules promulgated by the commissioner, and is accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices.\n\n3. Demolition work accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, provided the entire exposure where demolition work is to occur is covered by either:\n\n3.1. A supported scaffold with netting and guardrails in accordance with Section 3314.8; or\n\n3.2. A site specific engineered enclosure system in accordance with Section 3309.17.\n\n3306.2.2.1 Approval of the commissioner.\n\nWhere a safety zone is required by Section 3306.2.2, it shall be approved by the commissioner.\n\n3306.2.2.2 Size of safety zone for mechanical demolition.\n\nWhere mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, is to be used for the full or partial demolition of a building, the safety zone shall be equal to or greater than half the height of the building to be demolished; such safety zone may be reduced by the same ratio as the building is being demolished.\n\n3306.3 Notification.\n\nThe permit holder shall notify the department and adjoining property owners prior to the commencement of full and partial demolition operations in accordance with Sections 3306.3.1 and 3306.3.2.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Notification to the department or adjoining property owners is not required for partial demolition operations limited to the interior components of a building provided no mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, are used.\n\n2. Notification to the department or adjoining property owners is not required for partial demolition that occurs on the exterior of a building, provided such work is a minor alteration or ordinary repair, and is accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices.\n\n3306.3.1 Notification of the department.\n\nThe permit holder shall notify the department via phone or electronically at least 24 hours, but no more than 48 hours prior to the commencement of such work. If the notification date falls on a weekend or official holiday, the permit holder shall notify the department on the last business day before the commencement date.\n\n3306.3.2 Notification of adjoining property owners.\n\nAdjoining property owners shall be notified of upcoming demolition operations in writing not less than 10 days prior to the scheduled starting date of the demolition. The written notice shall provide a description of the work to be performed, the timeframe and schedule, and contact information of the person causing the demolition work and of the department. Demolition or removal work that is to be done with the use of explosives shall also be subject to the notification requirements set forth in the New York City Fire Code.\n\n3306.4 Mechanical demolition equipment.\n\nWhere mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, is to be used in the full or partial demolition of a building or structure, or is to be used within a structure to remove debris or move material, approval of the commissioner for the use of the mechanical demolition equipment must be obtained prior to the commencement of demolition operations.\n\nException: Approval of the commissioner is not required where the structure has been demolished to grade and mechanical equipment, located on the ground or a slab on grade, is utilized to remove the slab or foundation of the structure or to remove debris or move material.\n\n3306.5 Submittal documents for demolition.\n\nFull and partial demolition operations shall be conducted in accordance with submittal documents. Such submittal documents shall comply with Sections 3306.5.1 through 3306.5.7.\n\nExceptions: Section 3306.5 shall not apply to:\n\n1. Demolitions performed as emergency work pursuant to Section 28-215.1 of the Administrative Code when such work is monitored by a qualified person with experience in demolition operations who is employed by the city agency that has been directed to perform or arrange for the performance of such work. If the department or such city agency determines that there is a need for supervision of the work by a registered design professional, such city agency shall retain a registered design professional or cause a registered design professional to be retained to supervise the demolition operations.\n\n2. The full demolition of a detached one- two- or three-family dwelling, or both halves of a semi-detached one- two- or three-family dwelling, or a detached accessory structure to a one- two- or three-family dwelling, provided such dwelling or accessory structure is three stories or fewer in height, and also provided that the demolition is to be accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices.\n\n3. The full demolition of a fully detached building that is three stories or fewer and with a gross floor area of 5,000 square feet (464.5 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) or less per story, provided such demolition is to be accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices.\n\n4. The removal, with mechanical demolition equipment, of the remaining slab or foundation of a structure described in Exemption 2 or 3 above once the structure has been demolished to grade, or the removal of landscaping elements, on grade parking or driveways, or pools that are accessory to a structure described in Exemption 2 or 3 above, provided during all such removal work the mechanical demolition equipment is located on the ground or a slab on grade.\n\n5. Partial demolition operations accomplished without any mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, provided such work is a minor alteration or ordinary repair.\n\n6. Demolition operations that do not require a permit.\n\n3306.5.1 Required documents.\n\nSubmittal documents shall be approved by the department before demolition work begins. Such submittal documents shall be signed, sealed, and submitted by a registered design professional and shall contain, at a minimum, the following:\n\n1. Basic structure of the building, or portion thereof, to be demolished, including general sizes and types of main structural members and an identification of the general structural lateral system;\n\n2. A statement that the condition of the existing structure to be demolished has been assessed and a determination regarding whether it is a weakened structure in accordance with Section 3306.7;\n\n3. Plans, sections, and details of the building, or portion thereof, to be demolished clearly showing the extent and sequence of the demolition, including, but not limited to:\n\n3.1. Work involving a full demolition, a demolition performed in conjunction with work that meets the requirements of Article 101.4.5 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code,* a demolition that results in the demolition of more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the building during the course of work over any 12-month period, or a demolition that results in the removal of one or more floors during the course of work over any 12-month period, a clear and detailed demolition sequence provided in narrative and illustrated in the plans shall also be provided. All phases shall be designated by a number or letter to clearly depict the required sequence of the work. Structural stability must be demonstrated through all phases of demolition. A \"preparation phase\" must be included indicating but not limited to the following: glass removal, sealing of windows, removal of equipment/fixtures, and cutting of services. A note must indicate that any required permits for termination of services will be obtained, including necessary Fire Department and Department of Buildings variances.\n\n3.2. Work involving a full demolition, or for a partial demolition that razes a portion of a building to grade, plan and section views detailing the end-of-demolition conditions, including any remaining foundation elements and means of stabilizing those elements and the adjoining property via complete backfill, berms, shoring/bracing, or a similar approved method, shall be provided.\n\n3.3. Work involving a demolition that involves the removal of foundation elements, a detailed section showing the elevation of the footings of the building being demolished as it relates to the footings of all adjoining property shall be provided.\n\n3.4. Work involving a demolition that involves an excavation component or the removal of foundation elements, a sequence showing coordination between the demolition work and the installation of sheeting, shoring, bracing, underpinning, berming, backfill, or other methods of supporting excavations and/or adjoining property shall be provided.\n\n4. Bracing, shoring¸ and other stabilization measures necessary to support all demolition operations, and adjoining ground, or structures, as needed, through all sequences of the demolition. If shoring, bracing, or other stabilization measures must be taken prior to demolition, a clear and detailed sequence of this work, along with clear identification that this work is required to be performed prior to the start of any demolition activity shall be included;\n\n5. Where interior walls are to be demolished, a statement shall be provided indicating that the removal of the interior walls has been coordinated with the load capacity of the exterior walls and floors;\n\n6. Partitions required for the stability of the structure or required for egress shall be clearly indicated on the plans, and the sequence of operations shall indicate when the partitions can be safely removed;\n\n7. Where mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices, is to be used, a listing and description of all such proposed equipment to be used in the demolition, including the scope of equipment work and positioning of equipment on the existing structure. The description of the equipment shall include the gross weight of the equipment and calculations showing the adequacy of the existing structure to support loads imposed by such equipment. Any conditions imposed on the use or position of the equipment must be noted. If more than one piece of demolition equipment is proposed to be used at the same time, the effect of the simultaneous loads imposed on the existing structure shall be described and investigated. The plans may allow for alternate types of equipment within the same weight range and type. Such alternatives must be listed on the plans. A list of cranes to be utilized, if applicable, must also be provided, including their location along with a note that any department-required permit for the crane shall be obtained;\n\n8. A description of compliance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3306.8 and 3306.9 of this code;\n\n9. A statement regarding whether the building where demolition operations are to occur shares a party wall or party foundation with an adjoining structure;\n\n10. For demolition work that occurs on the exterior of a building, or for demolition operations that will disturb elements shared between buildings, including but not limited to party walls or party foundations, the adjoining properties shall be indicated, with property lines, addresses, block and lot numbers, stories and heights of all buildings, and horizontal offset dimensions of all adjacent structures from the property lines of structure being demolished and from the structure clearly shown. Any encroachments on adjoining property, including but not limited to fencing, barriers, or safety zones, along with a note stating that permission shall be obtained from the adjoining property owner, shall also be clearly indicated;\n\n11. Pedestrian protection, unenclosed perimeter protection, or adjoining property protection installed in accordance with Sections 3307, 3308, or 3309, including but not limited to, as applicable:\n\n11.1. Fencing/gates, including type, location, and dimensions, as well as the location of the project information sign on the fence;\n\n11.2. Sidewalk sheds, including locations and dimensions;\n\n11.3. Supported scaffolding and netting, including heights above the building being demolished, details of anchorage to building, and netting type; and\n\n11.4. Adjoining roof, mechanical equipment, and yard protection, including types, locations, and dimensions.\n\n12. The boundaries of the demolition work zone and demolition safety zone, as required by Section 3306.2, and the method of defining those zones and preventing access (e.g. fencing, barriers, etc.);\n\n13. All means and methods of debris removal from the point of demolition to the public roadway (carting), including openings in floors, chutes, etc., as well as the location of any debris sorting operation and barriers to separate the operation from other demolition activity;\n\n14. Means of egress for all phases of the demolition;\n\n15. The elevator or hoist in readiness, if required;\n\n16. Measures to protect, stabilize, and brace, as necessary, fire escapes, cornices, flues, and chimneys;\n\n17. Where fire separation elements are to be breached or diminished during demolition operations in an occupied building, or between adjoining occupied or unoccupied buildings, temporary measures to maintain fire separation;\n\n18. The methods of remediating adjoining lot line walls, including weatherproofing, repair, floor-to-wall anchorage, etc.;\n\n19. A listing of required special inspections;\n\n20. Application numbers for associated filings (e.g. fencing, pedestrian protection, adjoining property protection, scaffolding, netting, underpinning, support of excavation, etc.); and\n\n21. Reference to the monitoring plan, when a monitoring plan is required by Section 3306.12.\n\n3306.5.1.1 Submittal documents for full or partial demolition using mechanical equipment other than handheld.\n\nSubmittal documents for full or partial demolition using mechanical equipment other than handheld shall be signed, sealed and submitted by a registered design professional.\n\n3306.5.2 Maintenance of submittal documents.\n\nThe approved set of submittal documents shall be kept at the site at all times and be accessible for inspection in accordance with Section 3301.7. It shall be a violation of this code to use mechanical equipment, whether handheld or other than handheld, to perform full or partial demolitions unless the approved submittal documents required by Section 3306.5.1 are available for inspection. Failure to make submittal documents available on site may result in the issuance of a stop work order.\n\n3306.5.3 Filing requirements.\n\nWhere submittal documents are required in connection with full or partial demolition in accordance with Section 3306.5, applications shall be filed by the registered design professional in accordance with Article 104 of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code and shall be approved prior to issuance of the work permit.\n\n3306.5.4 Assessment of structure to be demolished.\n\nSubmittal documents required by Section 3306.5 shall be based upon an assessment of the structure where demolition operations are to occur. The assessment shall be performed by a registered design professional. The assessment shall, at a minimum, consist of an interior and exterior physical inspection of the structure where demolition operations are to occur, in which all areas to be demolished are accessed during the inspection. The results of the assessment shall be documented in an assessment report prepared by the person who performed the assessment. If the assessment was performed by a registered design professional other than the registered design professional who prepares the submittal documents, the report shall be provided to the registered design professional who prepares the submittal documents.\n\n3306.5.5 Assessment of adjoining structures.\n\nWhere a bearing masonry or wood framed building shares a party wall or party foundation with a building that is to undergo a full demolition, a demolition performed in conjunction with work that meets the requirements of Section 101.4.5 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code,* a demolition that results in the demolition of more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the building during the course of work over any 12-month period, or a demolition that results in the removal of one or more floors during the course of work over any 12-month period, the submittal documents required by Section 3306.5 shall be based upon an assessment of such bearing masonry or wood framed building. The assessment shall be performed by a registered design professional. The assessment shall, at a minimum, consist of an interior and exterior visual inspection of the structure where demolition operations are to occur. The results of the assessment shall be documented in an assessment report prepared by the person who performed the assessment. If the assessment was performed by a registered design professional other than the registered design professional who prepares the submittal documents, the report shall be provided to the registered design professional who prepares the submittal documents.\n\n3306.5.6 Review of pertinent plans and records.\n\nSubmittal documents required by Section 3306.5 shall be based upon a review of all pertinent plans and records of the structure where demolition operations are to occur. In addition, where a building is to undergo a full demolition, a demolition performed in conjunction with work that meets the requirements of Section 101.4.5 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code,* a demolition that results in the demolition of more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the building during the course of work over any 12-month period, or a demolition that results in the removal of one or more floors during the course of work over any 12-month period, the submittal documents shall further be based upon a review of all pertinent plans and records of all adjoining structures. The review shall be performed by the registered design professional who prepares the submittal documents.\n\n3306.5.7 Incorporate all other relevant reports.\n\nThe demolition submittal documents must incorporate all the conditions and findings identified in the geotechnical report when such report is required by Section 1803.6, the evaluation analysis when such analysis is required by Section 1817, the assessment reports required by Section 3306.5.4 and 3306.5.5, and the preconstruction survey when such survey is required by Section 3309.4.3.\n\n3306.6 Special inspection.\n\nDemolition shall be subject to special inspection in accordance with Chapter 17.\n\n3306.7 Demolition of weakened structures.\n\nWhere a structure to be demolished has been partially wrecked or weakened by fire, flood, explosion, age, or other causes, it shall be shored or braced to the extent necessary to permit orderly full demolition or partial demolition without collapse. The necessary measures to ensure a safe demolition shall be determined by the owner's registered design professional and shall be approved by the commissioner.\n\nException: Shoring or bracing are not required for the full demolition of a building, subject to the approval of the commissioner, provided:\n\n1. The demolition is conducted with mechanical demolition equipment, other than handheld devices; and\n\n2. No demolition operation occurs, or equipment is located, within the structure of the building.\n\n3306.8 Demolition sequence.\n\nAny structural member that is being dismembered shall not support any load other than its own weight. No wall, chimney, or other structural part shall be left in such condition that it may collapse or be toppled by wind, vibration or any other cause. The method of removal of any structural member shall not destabilize remaining members. All handling and movement of material or debris shall be controlled such that it will not develop unaccounted impact loads on the structure.\n\n3306.8.1 Structural steel, reinforced concrete, and heavy timber buildings.\n\nStructural steel, reinforced concrete, and heavy timber buildings, or portions thereof, shall be demolished column length-by-column length and tier-by-tier. Structural members shall be chained or lashed in place to prevent any uncontrolled swing or drop.\n\nException: Where the design applicant who prepared the submittal documents required by Section 3306.5 has demonstrated the adequacy of alternate means of demolition through plans, calculations, or the establishment of safety zones, as appropriate, the commissioner may accept such alternative means of demolition.\n\n3306.8.2 Masonry buildings with wooden floors.\n\nDemolition of masonry buildings with wooden floors shall comply with the following requirements:\n\n1. Demolition of walls and partitions shall proceed in a systematic manner, and all work above each tier of floor beams shall be completed before any of the supporting structural members are disturbed.\n\n2. Sections of masonry walls shall not be loosened or permitted to fall in such masses as to affect the carrying capacity of floors or the stability of structural supports.\n\n3. No section of masonry wall with a height to thickness ratio greater than 22 shall be permitted to stand without the wall being braced. Such bracing shall be designed by a registered design professional.\n\n3306.9 Safeguards.\n\nDemolition shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of Sections 3306.9.1 through 3306.9.16.\n\n3306.9.1 Utilities and service lines.\n\nThe requirements of Section 3303.2 shall apply.\n\n3306.9.2 Party wall exits, fire exits.\n\nThe requirements of Section 3303.9 shall apply.\n\n3306.9.3 Dust.\n\nDust producing operations shall be wetted down to the extent necessary to control the dust.\n\n3306.9.4 Water accumulation.\n\nThe requirements of Section 3303.14 shall apply.\n\n3306.9.5 Temporary elevators and standpipe systems.\n\nThe requirements of Sections 3303.8 and 3303.12 shall apply.\n\n3306.9.6 Sprinkler systems.\n\nThe requirements of Section 3303.7.4 shall apply.\n\n3306.9.7 Use of explosives.\n\nThe use of explosives in demolition operations shall conform to the requirements and limitations imposed by the New York City Fire Code and Section 3312.\n\n3306.9.8 Hazards to be removed.\n\nPrior to the commencement of demolition operations, hazards shall be removed in accordance with Sections 3306.9.8.1 through 3306.9.8.4.\n\n3306.9.8.1 Combustible content.\n\nPrior to the commencement of demolition operations, the area authorized to be demolished by the work permit shall be thoroughly cleaned of combustible content and debris, including but not limited to building contents and exterior finishes, down to the structural elements.\n\n3306.9.8.2 Asbestos.\n\nPrior to the commencement of demolition operations, all asbestos shall be removed from the area authorized to be demolished by the department work permit, and certification to that effect shall be filed with the department and the Department of Environmental Protection. Such asbestos removal shall be in accordance with Section 28-106 of the Administrative Code and rules promulgated by the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.\n\n3306.9.8.3 Glass.\n\nPrior to the commencement of demolition operations, all glass located in the area authorized to be demolished by the work permit, including but not limited to glass in windows, doors, skylights, and fixtures, shall be removed.\n\nException: Demolition operations relating to the alteration, maintenance, or repair of a facade.\n\n3306.9.8.4 Steam and fuel.\n\nPrior to the commencement of demolition operations, all pipes, tanks, boilers, or similar devices containing steam or fuel and located in the area authorized to be demolished by the work permit shall be purged of such steam or fuel.\n\nException: Pipes, tanks, boilers, or similar devices containing steam or fuel located in the area authorized to be demolished by the work permit and which will not be disturbed during the course of the demolition operation may, in lieu of being purged, be safeguarded so as to prevent their being damaged during the course of demolition operations.\n\n3306.9.9 Stairs.\n\nAll enclosed vertical shafts and stairs shall be maintained enclosed at all floors except the topmost floor being demolished, and all work on the topmost floor shall be completed before stair and shaft enclosures on the floor below are disturbed. All hand rails and banisters shall be left in place until actual demolition of such floor is in progress.\n\n3306.9.10 Floors.\n\nThe safeguards of Sections 3306.9.10.1 through 3306.9.10.3 shall apply to demolition operations involving floors.\n\n3306.9.10.1 Bearing partitions and headers.\n\nNo bearing partition shall be removed from any floor until the floor framing system on the floor above has been removed and lowered. All header beams and headers at stair openings and chimneys shall be carefully examined and, where required, shall be shored from the cellar floor through successive floors. All operations shall be continually monitored by a qualified person designated by the permit holder as the work progresses to detect any hazards that may develop.\n\n3306.9.10.2 Floor openings not to aggregate more than 25 percent of the gross floor area.\n\nOpenings in any floor shall not aggregate more than 25 percent of the area of that floor unless it can be shown by submission from a registered design professional to the satisfaction of the commissioner that larger openings will not impair the stability of the structure.\n\n3306.9.10.3 Covering of floor openings.\n\nFloor openings used for the removal of debris shall comply with Section 3306.9.12.1. Every opening not used for the removal of debris in any floor shall be clearly marked and solidly planked over by planking not less than 2 inches (51 mm) in thickness, or equivalent solid material, laid close.\n\n3306.9.11 Storage of material.\n\nMaterial shall not be stored on catch platforms, working platforms, floors, or stairways of any structure, except that any one floor of a building to be demolished may be used for the temporary storage of material when such floor can be evaluated by a registered design professional and proven to be of adequate strength to support one and one-half times the load to be superimposed. Such evaluation by the registered design professional shall be maintained by the permit holder and made available to the department upon request.\n\n3306.9.11.1 Avoid interference.\n\nStorage spaces shall not interfere with access to any stairway or passageway, and suitable barricades shall be provided so as to prevent material from sliding or rebounding into any space accessible to the public. All material shall be safely stored or piled in such storage locations in a manner that will not overload any part of the structure or create any hazard.\n\n3306.9.11.2 Examination of connections.\n\nBefore any material is stored on any floor, the existing flooring adjacent to bearing walls, shear walls, beams and columns shall be removed and the connections of the floor framing system to the bearing walls, shear walls, beams and columns shall be carefully examined by a competent person designated by the permit holder to ascertain their condition and adequacy to support such material. If the connections are found to be in poor condition or inadequate to support the stored material, no material shall be deposited on the floor until these connections are shored from the cellar floor through each successive floor or otherwise strengthened to safely support such material.\n\n3306.9.11.3 Removal of floor slabs for storage.\n\nIn buildings of noncombustible construction, floor slabs to an elevation of not more than 25 feet (7620 mm) above the legally established curb level may be removed to provide temporary storage for debris, provided that:\n\n1. The stored debris is piled with sufficient uniformity to prevent lateral displacement of interior walls or columns as determined by a registered design professional.\n\n2. The height of the piled material will not burst the exterior walls due to horizontal loading as determined by a registered design professional.\n\n3. The operation does not otherwise endanger the stability of the structure.\n\n3306.9.11.4 Cellar or basement storage.\n\nDebris stored in the cellar or basement shall not be piled above the level of the adjacent exterior grade unless the demolition contractor provides sheet-piling, shoring, bracing, or such other means necessary to insure the stability of the walls and to prevent any wall from collapsing due to horizontal loading created by the debris as determined by a registered design professional. Where debris is stored against a party wall, the requirements of Section 3306.9.11.5 shall also apply.\n\n3306.9.11.5 Examination of party walls.\n\nParty walls shall be carefully examined by a competent person designated by the permit holder to ascertain the condition and adequacy of the party wall prior to the placement of any material that will impose a load upon such party wall. If the party wall is found to be in poor condition or inadequate to support the stored material, no material shall be deposited on the floor until the party wall is shored or otherwise strengthened as determined by a registered design professional to safely support such material.\n\n3306.9.12 Removal of material.\n\nDebris, bricks, and similar material shall be removed through openings in the floors of the structure, or by means of chutes, buckets, or hoists that comply with the provisions of this chapter.\n\n3306.9.12.1 Floor openings used for the removal of debris.\n\nEvery opening in a floor used for the removal of debris shall be tightly enclosed with a shaftway, extending from floor to floor, with such shaftway enclosed with:\n\n1. Planking not less than 2 inches (51 mm) in thickness, or equivalent solid material; or\n\n2. Where the opening is used for the removal of noncombustible material, wire mesh may be utilized in lieu of planking, provided such mesh is not less than number 18 gauge wire mesh, with openings in the wire no larger than 1/2 inch (13 mm), and also provided that the wire mesh is securely attached, in accordance with drawings developed by a registered design professional, to the shaftway so that the wire mesh enclosure in any location does not deflect more than 2 inches (51 mm) when a force of at least 200 pounds (890 n) is applied along any horizontal portion of such wire mesh enclosure.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. In buildings not more than six stories or 75 feet (22 860 mm) in height, whichever is less, a shaftway is not required. Instead openings in the floor shall be clearly marked and solidly planked over while not in use by planking not less than 2 inches (51 mm) in thickness, or equivalent solid material, and laid close.\n\n2. A shaftway is not required at the working deck. Instead, openings in the working deck shall be clearly marked and solidly planked over while not in use by planking not less than 2 inches (51 mm) in thickness, or equivalent solid material, laid close.\n\n3306.9.12.1.1 Temporary removal of protection.\n\nWherever a shaftway or planking required by Section 3306.9.12.1 has been temporarily removed to permit debris removal, the floor opening shall be protected by a guardrail system that meets the requirements of Sections 3308.7.1 through 3308.7.5. Such protection required by Section 3306.9.12.1 shall be promptly replaced in position upon the ceasing of such work at the end of each workday.\n\n3306.9.12.2 Protection of wall openings.\n\nIn any building more than 25 feet high (7620 mm), any window or other exterior wall opening that is within 20 feet (6096 mm) of a floor opening used for the passage of debris from levels above shall be solidly boarded up or otherwise substantially covered, unless such window or opening is so located as to preclude the possibility of any person being injured by material that may fall from such window or opening.\n\n3306.9.12.3 Chutes.\n\nChutes used in association with the removal of materials shall comply with Section 3303.5.5.\n\n3306.9.13 Rodent extermination.\n\nA licensed exterminator shall effectively treat the premises for rodent extermination as per the requirements of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the following work:\n\n1. Where the proposed construction work involves 50% or more of the floor area of a building;\n\n2. Where the proposed vertical or horizontal enlargement increases the amount of building floor area by more than 25% over the amount of existing floor area of the building;\n\n3. Where the proposed demolition involves more than 50% of the floor area of a building;\n\n4. Where full demolition work is proposed.\n\n3306.9.14 Chimneys.\n\nWhere brick or masonry chimneys cannot be safely toppled or dropped, all materials shall be dropped down on the inside of such chimneys.\n\n3306.9.15 Partitions.\n\nPartitions required for the stability of the structure or required for egress, as identified in the submittal documents required by Section 3306.5, shall be clearly marked prior to the commencement of demolition operations. Such partitions shall not be removed until a competent person designated by the permit holder has determined the demolition sequence, as identified in the submittal documents, has reached the point the partitions can be safely removed, and authorizes their removal.\n\n3306.9.16 Temporary weather protection.\n\nTemporary weather protection shall be installed and maintained by the demolition contractor, as necessary, to protect building systems or elements that may be susceptible to exposure to the weather during periods where the permanent weather protection has been breached, diminished, or is not yet in place. Such building systems or elements include, but are not limited to, walls, party walls, roofs, areas of missing brick, loose lain brick, and exposed electrical conduit.\n\n3306.10 Removal of foundations and slabs.\n\nWhere a building, or any portion, has been demolished to grade, the floor slab or foundation of such building, or portion, shall be removed and the site backfilled to grade.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Cellar floors may remain provided the cellar floor slab is broken up to the extent necessary to provide ground drainage and prevent accumulation of water, and also provided that all fixtures or equipment that would cause voids in the fill are removed.\n\n2. Where portions of a foundation, underpinning, or similar elements, other than a cellar floor, are to remain and be covered with backfill, a waiver approved by the commissioner shall be obtained. Drawings prepared by a registered design professional depicting the remaining buried structure shall be submitted with the waiver request.\n\n3. Where a floor slab or foundation is to remain and not be backfilled, a waiver approved by the commissioner shall be obtained. Such request for waiver shall be accompanied by a statement and drawings prepared by a registered design professional demonstrating the necessity for retaining the existing floor slab or foundation for future construction or site remediation, as well as demonstrating positive cellar drainage to an approved place of disposal.\n\n3306.10.1 Evaluation of fill on adjoining foundations.\n\nWhere the installation of fill will impart a load on an adjoining foundation, a registered design professional shall evaluate the foundation prior to the placement of the fill. If necessary, sheeting, shoring, or bracing shall be provided as indicated by the registered design professional.\n\n3306.11 Completion of demolition operations.\n\nAll work required for structural stability and permanent waterproofing of adjacent buildings must be completed prior to demolition sign-off.\n\n3306.12 Monitoring of adjoining structures during demolition.\n\nWhere a bearing masonry or wood framed building shares a party wall or party foundation with a building that is to undergo a full demolition, a demolition performed in conjunction with work that meets the requirements of Section 101.4.5 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code,* a demolition that results in the demolition of more than 50 percent of the gross floor area of the building during the course of work over any 12-month period, or a demolition that results in the removal of one or more floors during the course of work over any 12-month period, such bearing masonry or wood framed building shall be monitored during the demolition operation. The monitoring shall be in accordance with a monitoring plan prepared or accepted by the registered design professional who prepared the submittal documents in accordance with Section 3306.5. The monitoring plan shall be acceptable to the commissioner and shall include but not be limited to, the monitoring frequency, reporting requirements for the monitoring program, anticipated movement and settlement thresholds, and procedures to be implemented when thresholds are exceeded.\n\n3306.13 Additional monitoring required by the commissioner.\n\nWhen, in the opinion of the commissioner, a demolition operation poses a potential hazard to an adjacent building, elevations of the building under demolition or the adjacent building, or both, shall be recorded or other monitoring procedures shall be implemented by a registered design professional at intervals of 24 hours or less as determined by the commissioner to ascertain if movement has occurred.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 28","Chapter 7: New York City Building Code"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"ef876a3ada5ebd3b1a321eb3072b914e1a72fc5003af007bd8c8b2a21c937f6a","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-3305","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-3307"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}