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DOB commissioner outlines staffing boosts, proactive enforcement and shed rules as plan‑review waits rise
Summary
DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani told the City Council the Department of Buildings is shifting toward proactive enforcement and investing in staffing and technology to reduce plan‑review and inspection backlogs, while implementing sidewalk‑shed reforms and Local Law 97 supports.
New York — Ahmed Tigani, commissioner of the Department of Buildings, told the New York City Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings on March 24 that DOB is prioritizing proactive enforcement and workforce investment to address rising violations and plan‑review delays.
"We will hold owners accountable for maintaining safe buildings and use every available tool when they fail to meet their legal obligations," Tigani said in his opening testimony.
Tigani outlined the department’s FY27 expense request — roughly $214 million in expense funds — and said about 85% of that is personnel funding to support 1,864 budgeted positions. He said the agency’s current headcount (1,635 as of January) reflects progress but that vacancies remain a constraint for service levels.
The department reported that average DOB Now first‑review times increased from…
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