NYC DOB Permiting Flashcards
Who Generally Files Plans and Pulls Permits
New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA)
What are the primary permit applications?
New Building (NB) and Alterations Type-1, 2 and 3
NB Permit
NB: Construction of new structures
ALT1
ALT1: Major alterations that will change use, egress or occupancy
ALT2
ALT2: Multiple types of work, not affecting use, egress or occupancy
ALT3
ALT3: One type of minor work, not affecting use, egress or occupancy
7 Steps of Filing for a Permit for RA/PE
STEP1: Applicant pre-files application in a borough office
STEP 2: Applicant Goes to Cashier and pays the fee
STEP 3: Data Entry and Research (DARE) Unit enters application details
STEP 4: Department reviews application plan
STEP 5: Department perforates the plan
STEP 6: Applicant obtains permit
STEP 7: Post Permit Activities
Post-Approval Amendments
DOB requires filing a post-approval amendment when a minor change in the work is required or when RA/PE discovers they need to correct an error in the initial filing. (ie. Schedule A changes, Schedule B changes and scope of work changes.)
Is a PAA required when changing the name of the filing representative?
No, only a PW1 form is required.
Is a PAA required when changing the name of the applicant?
You MUST file a PAA with revised stamped drawings if the applicant is changing.
Is a PAA required when there is a minor plan change that does not change any information on the PW1?
No, an AI-1 (Additional Information) form is filed instead of submitting a PAA
Basic steps filing a PAA
1) Complete the PW1
2) Complete the appropriate schedules if the change affects information on the PW1’s/Schedule A’s/Schedule B’s.
3) Amend your plans if the change affects the plans and submit the A1 (Additional Information form) as required.
4) Submit your PAA application to the borough office.
When is an After Hours Variances (AHV) required?
PW5 Construction activity before 7:00 am, after 6:00 pm, or on the Weekend.
What must the owner do if asbestos is present filing wise?
Owners must demonstrate to the Department of Buildings that requirements for asbestos abatement have been satisfied before a DOB permit may be issued. Applicants must indicate on the PW1 whether the project requires abatement, does not require abatement, or is exempt.
Submit proper documentation to DEP’s Asbestos Technical Review Unit (A-TRU)
Once abatement is complete the ACP20 (Asbestos Project Conditional Completion Form) or ACP21 (Asbestos Project Completion Form) must be submitted to the Department of Buildings before a DOB permit may be issued for any subsequent work.
Boiler First Test Inspections
New boiler installations and boilers that have undergone replacement of more than half their principal components or sections as defined by the Building Code, or whose fuel burners have been replaced, must be inspected by the Department before use. This Department inspection is known as the First Test Inspection.
Certificate of Occupancy
Key document used to certify the legal use and occupancy of a building. The Certificate describes how a building may be occupied, for example, a two-family home, a parking lot, a 40-unit multiple dwelling, or a store.
Owners must obtain a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy for new buildings or where construction changes the use, egress, or occupancy to an existing building before the building may be legally occupied.
Letter of No Objection
Buildings built before 1938 aren’t required to have a Certificate of Occupancy – unless later alterations changed its use, egress or occupancy. If you require proof of a building’s legal use – and it’s exempt from the CO requirement – contact the Department’s borough office where the property is located to request a Letter of No Objection.
Temporary CO
The department may determine that a property is safe to occupy, but there are outstanding issues requiring final approval. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy – or TCO – indicates that the property is safe for occupancy, but it has an expiration date. TCOs typically expire 90 days after they are issued.
Concrete
Concrete placed at any building under construction in New York City is required to be tested to ensure it meets the project’s structural design requirements. Concrete testing must be performed by a licensed Concrete Testing Lab.
The Department’s Concrete Unit performs audits of concrete testing in New York City.
Can a Permit Exclude Concrete Operations?
Applicants may be ready to obtain a permit to begin work before they are ready to begin concrete operations. The Department allows applicants to obtain a permit that authorizes work but prohibits concrete operations until concrete requirements are met.
Construction Codes Determination
CCD1 - Used to request a determination (formerly known as reconsideration, pre-consideration, or interpretation) for all issues non-zoning related, for a job or planned job, from the Department.
This filing can be used for interpretation or clarification of an existing construction code requirement. Additionally, any variances that are requested for a construction application can be submitted using this application.
Zoning Resolution Determination
(ZRD1) - ZRD-1’s are intended to interpret or clarify the zoning resolution. Any request for a variance to the zoning resolution must be filed with the Board of Standards and Appeals, or with the Department of City Planning. A variance cannot be granted via a ZRD-1 request.
Examples of when you need an ALT-1
If the work will require getting a new or amended Certificate Of occupancy then you must file an Alt 1.
Examples of when you need an ALT-2
If the work does not require a new or amended certificate of occupancy you can file an Alt 2.
Interior Apartment Renovations
Combining Apartments (In most cases)
Renovating a retail store but keeping the use as a store.
Renovating a restaurant as long as it stays a restaurant.
Removing a wall or building a new wall.
Adding a bedroom to an apartment (in most cases)
Alterations where you get a “letter of no objection”
