Will Homeowners and Landlords be Better Served by this Change?
At the Yonkers City Council stated meeting on Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM (City Hall – City Council Chambers, 4th Floor), Agenda Item #6 is a resolution supporting NYS Senate Bill S.7217 and Assembly Bill A.7675 to allow “self-certification” by licensed professionals to streamline the building permit process.
The state bill would let Yonkers (and municipalities in Nassau/Suffolk/Westchester) create an “independent certification” program where a building permit can be issued based on certification by a NYS-licensed registered architect or professional engineer, with safeguards like random audits and a 45-day “deemed approved unless denied” clock.
Many homeowners/landlords describe the current Yonkers process as slow and inconsistent; projects that affect habitability (e.g., kitchens/repairs) can stall for months.
There’s also a technical issue in the current bill text: the population bracket used to identify Yonkers/Westchester may not match the 2020 Census, which could require a small amendment for Yonkers to be covered.
I am strongly in favor of this change which would streamline the process without shortcutting safety. I urge fellow residents to tune into this change and support the passage of this item on Tuesday night, January 27, 2o26.
Links:
• My explainer: https://benjaminunger.com/yonkers-self-certification-permitting-reform/
• Yonkers City Council agenda (Item 6): https://www.yonkersny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16562/01-27-2026-Agenda
• NY Senate bill page (S.7217): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7217
