new york city issues

Fire Inspection Issue

On June 19, 2009 the City Council voted to amend the New York City Fire Code, Section FC 117.2.1 to limit the exemption from fees for Fire Department of New York (FDNY) permits, inspections, and witnessing of required system performance tests.    Mayor Bloomberg signed the amendment on June 29, 2009 saying that the imposition of fees will “help balance the FY 2010 budget…and will help achieve efficiencies and revenues for the City in future years as well.”  Nonprofits have traditionally been exempt from taxes and fees because they are providing services that are beneficial to the public--e.g., social services, education, healthcare--and because they are not operated for private profit.  The imposition of taxes and fees would undermine their ability to carry out those functions.  The broad exemptions of nonprofits reflect recognition of that reality.  AMSNY opposes the Local Law that imposes FDNY inspection and permit fees on not-for-profit organizations, which include medical schools and affiliate hospitals.  We request that the exemption for not-for-profits be restored.