Many New York City homeowners are likely to raise their houses higher off the ground in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, and lawmakers want to make sure that happens safely.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and several colleagues announced a slate of proposed home-elevation precautions Wednesday.

Now, such projects must be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer and approved by the city Buildings Department.

The proposal would go further.

Contractors would have to tell the Buildings Department 48 hours before such work begins, so the agency could monitor it. Also, a special inspector would have to supervise the project.

Councilman Vincent Ignizio is sponsoring the plan. He says it aims both to educate and to protect homeowners about how to elevate their houses reliably.

(AP)