Get Sheds Down Initiative

Background and Context

New York City has grappled for decades with the pervasive presence of sidewalk sheds and scaffolding (structures installed primarily under Local Law 11 to protect pedestrians from possible falling facade debris). While intended for safety, many sheds have become long-term urban blights, obstructing sidewalks, blocking storefronts, darkening streetscapes, and diminishing neighborhood aesthetics and economic vitality.

In mid-2023, Mayor Eric Adams launched the Get Sheds Down initiative aiming to aggressively remove over 310 dilapidated, long-standing scaffolding structures citywide as of 2025. The program combines enhanced enforcement, incentivization, and legislative reform to address this complex issue.

Sources: NYC Mayor’s Office press releases, DOB data dashboards, Fast Company (2024), CITYLANDNYC.

Key Metrics and Progress to Date

9,110

Active Sidewalk Shed Permits (March 2025)

310+

Dilapidated Sheds Removed Under Initiative

173 miles

Sidewalk Sheds Removed Since Launch (2023-2025)

2.1M ft

Current Linear Feet of Scaffolding (Up from 2.03M ft in 2024)

259

Long-Standing Sheds (5+ years) Removed

21 years

Longest Duration Sidewalk Shed Removed (Harlem)

Economic Impact on Local Businesses

Studies commissioned by the City with Mastercard show that buildings with sidewalk sheds experience monthly revenue losses between $3,900 and $9,500. Restaurants and bars are especially affected, showing a 3.5% to 9.7% decrease in weekly transactions within six months after installation of sheds.

Sector	Monthly Revenue Loss Range	Transaction Decline %	Notes
Restaurants and Bars	$4,000 - $9,500	3.5% - 9.7%	Greatest relative transaction decline
Retail	$3,900 - $7,250	2.8% - 7.3%	Significant foot traffic reduction
Services	$2,750 - $6,000	2.3% - 6.5%	Moderate impact, visibility hindered

Sources: NYC Dept of City Planning, Mastercard spending data, NYC Mayor’s Office Economic Report 2024.

Legislative and Regulatory Reforms

Local Law 11 Reform: Extending building facade inspection cycles to 6-12 years to reduce shed frequency, currently reviewed and slated for implementation late 2025.
Shorter Shed Permit Renewals: City Council passed bills requiring more frequent renewals and stricter enforcement on shed removals.
Design Improvements: New design standards mandating less intrusive, more visually appealing, and safer scaffolding enforced starting 2025.
Enforcement Enhancements: Increased Department of Buildings (DOB) inspections, fines, and removal orders for non-compliant scaffolding.
Owner Incentives: Financial and technical assistance programs to encourage timely facade repairs rather than indefinite shed use.

Sources: NYC Council Legislative Updates, DOB Public Announcements, Dezeen (April 2025).

Community Perspectives and Challenges

While the initiative has removed many structures, challenges remain as complex building repairs, tenant displacement concerns, and a lucrative scaffolding industry persist.

Many long-standing sheds remain in Manhattan, representing 45% of total active permits citywide.
Community stakeholders emphasize balancing safety with aesthetics and pedestrian accessibility.
Advocates call for accelerated DOB enforcement combined with support to building owners to accelerate facade remediation.

Data sourced from Fast Company (2024), CityLandNYC, and community board hearing transcripts 2025.