Poll Finds New York Voters Support Building Code Changes in Wake of Superstorm Sandy Devastation

According to a new poll released earlier this month, New York City and Long Island voters strongly support the state making changes to construction codes in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which wreaked havoc along nearly the entire Atlantic Coast in October 2012. The poll of 406 registered voters in New York, commissioned by Build with Strength, a coalition that includes the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, found 98 percent support and 59 percent strongly support changes to construction codes.

Superstorm Sandy cost the state $32 billion, with $19 billion in losses in New York City alone. With thousands of homes destroyed, those that were damaged but remained standing were forced to deal with the lingering effects of mold for more than a year. In addition to calling for construction code changes, the poll found voters also support legislation that: requires all buildings over three stories high have concrete and steel frames for greater safety and durability (92% support); limits wood-frame construction to three stories and 20,000 square feet per floor (86% support) and bans light frame construction (like wood) in multifamily dwellings and densely populated areas to save lives in the event of a fire (85% support).

The New York poll reiterates the results of a similar poll of New Jersey voters, which found respondents very supportive of the state making changes to building codes following the devastating Edgewater apartment complex fire in January 2015.