Beginning January 1, 2026, or on a later date established by the Department of Buildings (no later than January 1, 2027), a major amendment to the New York City Building Code will take effect, fundamentally changing how Construction Superintendents operate on job sites.
Under Local Law 149 of 2021 (Int. No. 2276-A),
Section 3301.13.6 of the Building Code was amended to establish a future restriction: each Primary Construction Superintendent may be designated to oversee only one job at a time.
It is a legislative code change enacted by the City Council and signed into law, scheduled for future implementation. It represents a significant shift from previous regulations that allowed superintendents to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Purpose and Intent
This Building Code amendment is part of New York City’s broader construction safety reform initiative, designed to strengthen on-site oversight and improve safety outcomes. The goal is to ensure that each superintendent can dedicate their full attention to one project, reducing divided supervision and enhancing accountability.
Phased Legislative Timeline
Local Law 149 introduced a gradual reduction in the number of jobs a superintendent could oversee, giving the industry time to adapt:
- Prior to 2022: Superintendents could manage up to 10 active jobs simultaneously.
- June 1, 2022: The limit was reduced to a maximum of 5 active jobs per superintendent.
- January 1, 2024: Further reduced to a maximum of 3 active jobs. The Department of Buildings began enforcing this by rejecting permit applications if a superintendent already had three active designations.
- January 1, 2026 (or later, but not after January 1, 2027): Final phase - no individual may serve as the primary Construction Superintendent on more than one job. The Building Code allows the department to establish a later enforcement date, but no later than January 1, 2027.
Major Building Projects: Already Under the Single-Job Rule
For major building projects - defined as buildings with 7 or more stories, over 75 feet in height, or exceeding 100,000 square feet - the single-job restriction already applies. Even during the 3-job phase, if a superintendent was assigned to a major building, they could not serve as primary superintendent on any other job concurrently.
By January 1, 2026, or the later date set by the DOB (no later than January 1, 2027), this requirement will extend to all projects requiring a Construction Superintendent designation.
Key Operational Changes Once in Effect
When the final phase becomes active, the Building Code will require that:
- The designated superintendent be present on-site during all active work periods
- The use of “competent person” substitutions will be disallowed; an alternate licensed superintendent must be formally assigned if coverage is needed
What This Means for Contractors and Developers
Contractors and developers should begin preparing now to ensure a smooth transition when enforcement begins:
- Review upcoming 2026–2027 project schedules and staffing plans
- Anticipate the need for additional licensed superintendents
- Adjust budgets for increased supervision requirements
For the complete text of the legislation, refer to the official Local Law 149 of 2021 (PDF).