Last week, City Council passed legislation introduced by District 2 Council Member Carlina Rivera that creates a new 311 category for rooftop activity complaints.
The bill requires the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to add subcategories for "rooftop occupancy without proper certificate or permit" and "exceeding authorized rooftop occupancy." A new subcategory under "noise" will also allow residents to report rooftop-related disturbances more directly.
In addition, the Department of Buildings will be required to issue annual public reports on rooftop spaces, including the number of buildings with rooftop recreational areas and those with place of assembly certificates, broken down by local Community Board.
Rivera introduced the legislation in response to ongoing concerns over loud and overcrowded rooftop ragers.
In May 2021, 24-year-old Cameron Perrelli died after falling while climbing from 202 Avenue A to the roof next door at 200 Avenue A.
"While we all understand the appeal of New York's rooftops, safety must come first," Rivera said in a statement. "This legislation ensures that residents can easily report unsafe or disruptive rooftop activity, and that our agencies can respond faster and more effectively. We've seen the tragic consequences of rooftop gatherings, and with this bill, we're taking a clear step toward preventing them."
This is likely Rivera's final act in office. She is reportedly stepping down to take a new role several months before her term ends in December.
Ongoing litigation
In February 2023, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Cameron Perrelli's estate in New York Supreme Court, accusing 202 Avenue A Owner LLC (and related entities) of negligence in a premises liability claim connected to Perrelli's tragic death.
The lawsuit alleges that the property owner failed to ensure safe rooftop access or occupancy, leading to fatal consequences. As of March 24, a Notice of Settlement has been filed, indicating the parties are in the process of resolving the matter — though it remains officially active in court records.
8 comments:
I hope we can complain about light pollution too. Rooftop lights on 24/7 for months and months on end is a real problem for me. They light up my apartment at night!
So she did do something after all...
It's been "enacted". Now comes the ENFORCEMENT job, qv construction cranes, parking garages, and now cooling towers. All had laws and still New Yorkers died.
And WTF is the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications & what does that have to do with rooftop parties? More NYC byzantine bureauacy.
Off-topic, yeah, but light pollution as a whole in the city needs to be addressed. I keep seeing more and more buildings putting up deadly 6000K bright white lights for their exteriors. It looks awful and it's proven to disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to worse health.
Right! Finally!!!
That department adds the category to easily available subjects in the311 database as EVG said. First step in a bureaucracy to deal with an issue. I’m thrilled because now I won’t have to spend 20 minutes filing a complaint about dj parties blasting music on a packed rooftop with two of those tall live flame heating torches. And since the only way the city deals with most issues is if there is the data to prove it, more attention will be paid to these parties.
Great news and long overdue. Owners who provide rooftop access to tenants who party with no onsite oversight has been a huge problem for me and my neighbors for a few years now with new buildings that have gone up and ones that changed ownership. When contacted the owners always say they ask tenants to be considerate but there's nothing they can do beyond that. We make 311 complaints but the police are seldom able to gain access. Have contacted Carlina and Harvey's offices but they said there was little they could do. Hope this actually works.
About bloody time, and yes, she finally did SOMEthing decent for the 'hood. With Croman buildings directly across from us that have occasional rooftop ravers until the wee hours, hopefully this will help.
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