Bloomberg waives DOB application, permit fees for Sandy reconstruction

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an emergency order today to waive Department of Buildings application and permit fees for Hurricane Sandy-induced repair work, according to a statement the Mayor’s office issued today. New York City buildings that sustained significant damage from the storm and are in need of demolition, alteration or reconstruction work will have all repair fees waived until further notice, as well as fees for electrical and plumbing repair.

“It will ensure that New Yorkers fixing their homes will not have to incur additional expenses,” Mayor Bloomberg said in the release, “and we are going to do everything we can to help those displaced by Hurricane Sandy rebuild and recover as quickly as possible.”

In Lower Manhattan alone, The Real Deal reported last week, roughly 35 million square feet of office space was closed out of 101 million square feet in the neighborhood. Some residential landlords announced they will provide rent abatements to tenants who were without power or running water during the storm two weeks ago and even Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced they will suspend evictions and foreclosures for 90 days in hard-hit storm areas.

“Our goal in waiving these fees is to make it easier for New Yorkers to rebuild their lives and their homes, removing a big burden off their shoulders,” DOB Commissioner Robert LiMandri said in the release. — Zachary Kussin