Purpose and Applicability

Fulton Street, Brooklyn

Purpose

This update continues the Manual’s status as a living document and reinforces its role as a critical resource for those working on projects in New York City’s public right-of-way. It provides both a thorough update to the guidance in previous iterations and a number of important additions: a fully revised chapter on activating City streets and public spaces; a host of new entries throughout the Process, Geometry, Furniture, and Materials chapters; and substantially expanded coverage of several key topics, including Curb Management, Outdoor Seating, and NYC DOT processes.

This Manual is the result of substantial intra- and inter-agency collaboration. The following agencies participated in its creation: the Departments of Design and Construction (DDC), City Planning (DCP), Environmental Protection (DEP), and Parks and Recreation (Parks), as well as the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), the Public Design Commission (PDC), and the Mayor’s Office.

Agency Acronyms 

  • CECM: Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management
  • DCAS: New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services
  • DCLA: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
  • DCP: New York City Department of City Planning
  • DCWP: New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • DDC: New York City Department of Design and Construction
  • DEC: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • DEP: New York City Department of Environmental Protection
  • DOB: New York City Department of Buildings
  • DOHMH: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • DoITT: New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
  • NYCDOT / DOT: New York City Department of Transportation
  • DSNY: New York City Department of Sanitation
  • EDC: New York City Economic Development Corporation
  • FDNY: New York City Fire Department
  • FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • FHWA: Federal Highway Administration
  • FTA: Federal Transit Administration
  • LPC: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
  • MOPD: Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
  • MOR: Mayor's Office of Resiliency
  • MOS: Mayor's Office of Sustainability
  • MTA: Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • NYCEM: New York City Emergency Management
  • NYCT: New York City Transit, an MTA agency
  • NYPD: New York City Police Department
  • NYSDEC: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • NYSDOT: New York State Department of Transportation
  • OCPD: Mayor’s Office of Capital Project Development
  • OMB: Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget
  • Parks: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
  • PDC: New York City Public Design Commission
  • SAPO: The Street Activity Permit Office within the New York City Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management
  • SBS: New York City Department of Small Business Services
  • SHPO: New York State Historic Preservation Office
  • US ACE: US Army Corps of Engineers
  • US DOT: US Department of Transportation

Applicability

The policies and guidelines in the Street Design Manual are the foundation of designs for all projects that impact public and private streets in New York City, including roadways, sidewalks, and plazas. They should be used by agency staff, design professionals, community groups, and other entities involved in the planning and design of streets. NYC DOT uses the Manual to review projects for quality and consistency.

Examples of applicable projects include operational and capital projects, such as street reconstructions and resurfacings; operational and traffic control treatments; street work associated with new or renovated buildings; and other public or private construction projects that include roadways, sidewalks, and plazas.

The guidance presented in the Street Design Manual does not supersede any existing federal, state, or city laws, rules, and regulations. All projects remain subject to relevant statutes—including, but not limited to, the Zoning Resolution and the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR)—and appropriate reviews and approvals of oversight agencies such as PDC, LPC, and OMB.

Community members and officials gather around a large map at a public open house event, discussing plans and providing feedback.

Open House for Reimagine the Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx

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