The City Council seeks to fix scaffolding abuse in New York City

The City Council is considering a new legislative package aimed at long-term reform Abuse of sidewalk scaffolding in the Big Apple.

“Scaffolding shouldn’t be one of the first things people associate with New York City,” said Manhattan City Councilman Keith Powers, who introduced some of the bills.

“It’s time to take back our streets.”

Of the nine bills introduced Thursday were measures to create a drone inspection program to help property owners expedite the process of removing scaffolding; to raise the minimum height of the scaffolding to at least 12 feet; and the creation of more stringent removal schedules at construction booths.

The legislative package also includes a measure by Councilman Eric Butcher (D-Manhattan Democrat) that requires property owners to apply for work permits within six months of erecting scaffolding or face hefty fines, and brighter lighting where there are sheds, to help deter crime.

There are more than 9,000 scaffolds sheds in the city, three times more than they were two decades ago, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

According to Butcher, some of the dock sheds date back to 2006.