Frequently Asked Questions on Storm Cleanup Provided By The New York City Department of Buildings

Q: What does the colored sticker found on my property mean?

A: In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the New York City Department of Buildings is conducting an inspection of structures affected by the storm. Department issued inspection stickers have been placed on inspected properties as follows:

GREEN: No restriction. No apparent structural hazard was observed; you are not restricted from entering and re-occupying your building.

YELLOW: Restricted use. Property is damaged; entry limitations are specified on each posting.

RED: Unsafe. Property is seriously damaged and is unsafe to enter or occupy.

Q: Does a red sticker mean I cannot enter my building?

A: If a red sticker has been affixed to your building, you cannot enter until the condition has been corrected. A red sticker is not an order to demolish. The Department will remove the sticker after the conditions have been corrected. For clarification or direction from the Department, call 311.

Q: What does a yellow sticker mean?

A: If a yellow sticker has been affixed, conditions exist at the building that require the owner to make repairs and may restrict the use of the building. Entry limitations, if any, will be specified on the sticker. For clarification or direction from the Department, call 311.

Q: Why was a yellow sticker affixed when there only appears to be minor damage?

A: Nonstructural damage can lead to the posting of a yellow sticker, including but not limited to a compromised electrical system, the loss of basic sanitary facilities due to broken water or sewer pipes, or life safety systems, including but not limited to fire alarms, sprinklers, standpipes, and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Other situations can involve localized structural damage that would place a portion of a building in an unsafe condition while other areas remain usable.

Q: I have a yellow sticker stating that the basement is flooded. Can I pump out the water?

A: A flooded basement may conceal hazards (see “Storm Safety Tips” at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/storm_tips.pdf). If there are no structural issues indicated on the sticker, and if the electrical utility company confirms that the electrical power supply is off, you may remove the water.

Q: What should I do after I correct the conditions specified on the yellow sticker?

A: After the condition is corrected, you should email stormhelp@buildings.nyc.gov to report that information. You should attach to the email any documents or photos demonstrating that the conditions are corrected. If the repairs required a licensed electrician, plumber, fire suppression contractor, architect or engineer, you should include a statement from that licensed professional that the conditions are corrected. The yellow sticker must remain up until the Department authorizes its removal.

build safe|live safe Robert D. LiMandri, Commissioner

nyc.gov/buildings

Storm Cleanup Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does a green sticker mean my building does not need repairs?

A: A green sticker means no apparent structural hazard was observed. However, the inspectors might not have had access to all parts of the building, and so there may still be some hazardous conditions, such as flooding. If you have evidence that damage to your building is significant, you should contact the Department by calling 311 to schedule a re-inspection.

Q: When can I remove a green sticker?

A: A green sticker must remain posted until the Department announces that all green stickers can be removed.

Q: There is no sticker on my building, what does that mean?

A: This means either your building has not been inspected, or the inspections resulted in no apparent structural hazard to the buildings on that block. In cases where no apparent structural hazard was observed to the buildings on a block, one green sticker may have been posted in a prominent location on that block. If you have evidence that damage to your building is significant you should contact the Department by calling 311 to schedule an inspection.

Additional Information

Post-storm advisory updates are available on the Department’s website at http://www.nyc.gov/buildings.