New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar announced that her legislation, A357B, has been signed into law, modernizing New York’s rules governing access to neighboring properties for improvements and repairs.

The bill passed unanimously with the backing of a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the Business Council of New York, the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, the Associated General Contractors of New York State, the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester & the Mid-Hudson Region, and the Office of the Mayor of New York City.

According to a statement from Rajkumar’s office, the new law cuts red tape, accelerates construction timelines, and allows sidewalk sheds to be removed more quickly, while safeguarding the rights of neighboring property owners.

The legislation establishes what the statement described as a “clear, predictable framework” for situations in which property owners require temporary access to adjoining properties to safely complete construction or repair work. In New York City’s dense urban environment, such projects can require access to multiple neighboring lots.

“It clarifies notice requirements; defines common construction activities such as scaffolding, sidewalk sheds, and safety netting; and gives courts greater discretion to resolve access disputes efficiently,” the statement said. “By reducing uncertainty and litigation delays, the law allows critical safety work to proceed without unnecessary and expensive stoppages, shortening construction timelines and speeding up sidewalk shed removal.”

At the same time, the law strengthens protections for adjoining property owners. It requires reasonable advance notice, mandates insurance coverage, holds builders liable for any damage, and ensures neighbors are fairly compensated for any loss of use and enjoyment during construction.

The statement noted that the new framework is designed to address situations in which adjoining property owners deny access or demand what it described as extortionary compensation. Under the previous system, developers and property owners often faced prolonged and costly court proceedings in Supreme Court, during which construction stalled and sidewalk sheds remained in place, or felt pressured to acquiesce to excessive demands.

According to the statement, the outdated process led to cases involving as much as $1 million in additional costs for a 250-unit affordable housing development, and an extra $800,000 for another project with 40 percent affordable units.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar said, “Good contracts make good neighbors, and now all neighbors will enjoy a fair, efficient, and transparent process when one needs access to the other’s property,” adding, “My bill makes home and building repairs faster, safer, and easier for all New Yorkers. It gets unsightly sidewalk sheds down and affordable housing up. This is a win for homeowners, tenants, and safer communities.”

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