On December 18, 2025, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issued an Industry Notice announcing that starting January 1, 2026, Construction Superintendents may serve as the primary superintendent on only one job at a time (regardless of project type). This change, under Local Law 149 of 2021, aims to enhance site safety and accountability.
Key Dates
- January 1, 2026: One-job rule for primary Construction Superintendents’ designations goes into effect (major or non-major projects).
- December 31, 2025, to 2026 Transition: Construction Superintendents who are already assigned to multiple non-major jobs as of December 31, 2025, may continue those assignments into 2026, but cannot accept any new ones. This exception lasts until the end of 2026.
- January 1, 2027: The transition period ends. At this time, all Construction Superintendents must comply with the one-job rule, regardless of prior assignments. The Competent Person exemption will expire, with limited exceptions.
These changes further narrow the number of jobs a Construction Superintendent can oversee. The limit dropped from 10 before 2022, to 5 in June 2022, to 3 in January 2024, and now to one starting January 1, 2026. After this date, a Construction Superintendent already designated as primary on one job cannot take on additional primary assignments.
Competent Person Designation Timeline
For Construction Superintendents with multiple non-major jobs at the end of 2025:
- Through December 31, 2026: A Competent Person may still be designated to fulfill on-site supervision per NYC Building Code §3301.13.12.
- Starting January 1, 2027: The Competent Person option ends. The Construction Superintendent must be on-site for all work, except for specific exempt activities under NYC Building Code §3301.13.7.
What to Anticipate Next
As these rules take effect, the construction industry should expect:
- Increased demand for licensed Construction Superintendents, especially for projects that previously relied on shared supervision.
- Potential scheduling constraints or project delays if the primary Construction Superintendent’s availability is not secured early.
- The need to review project schedules and staffing plans for 2026 and 2027 to avoid conflicts and compliance issues.
Recommended Actions
- Review all projects immediately to identify overlapping Construction Superintendent designations and resolve conflicts before the rule takes effect. Waiting puts your projects at risk of being stopped or incurring penalties.
- Hire or assign additional licensed superintendents as needed to ensure each job has a designated primary Construction Superintendent by the deadline.
- Adjust project budgets and timelines now to meet new supervision rules and stay in compliance as enforcement begins.
- Plan early. Last-minute disruptions and noncompliance are likely if you wait. Immediate attention will safeguard schedules as enforcement deadlines approach.
For more details, see the official NYC DOB Industry Notice and Local Law 149 of 2021.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is provided by SterlingRisk Insurance for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or insurance advice. Always review your individual policy terms and consult your broker or legal counsel regarding your specific situation.
