Building permits in New York City, New York
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in New York City, 1 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in New York City
New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
- 280 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
- Phone: (212) 566-5000
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in New York City
New York City runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in New York City
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in New York City, 1 need a permit outright and 8 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as an alteration on form PW1. |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Not specified | Table 28-112.2 item 16, "Permit for electrical work," is "As provided by department... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, measured from the higher of the two adjoining grades | No DOB filing fee where the fence is exempt. |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | packaged air-conditioning units installed in an existing one- or two-family dwelling that are not part of an alteration otherwise requiring a permit; the same exemption is capped at 3 tons in all other buildings | No DOB filing fee where the unit fits the 1 RCNY 101-14 exemption. |
| Patio Permit | Not confirmed | Not specified | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | direct replacement of an existing fixture or faucet that does not alter the hot and cold shutoff valves or the fixture trap | Limited Alteration Application is the usual homeowner-scale route. |
| Pool Permit | It depends | outdoor in-ground or above-ground pools accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling, where the distance from the edge of an in-ground pool to any building or lot line exceeds the depth of the deepest part of the pool and a slop sink for indirect waste already exists or is installed under a plumbing permit | No DOB filing fee for a pool that meets the 1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1 exemption, though a... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | the permit requirement turns on whether the roof deck or sheathing is replaced, and on whether the NYC Energy Conservation Code calls for additional thermal insulation | No DOB filing fee for reroofing that stays above the deck. |
| Shed Permit | It depends | temporary portable freestanding sheds accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling that are also no more than 7 feet 6 inches high, at least 3 feet from every lot line, used for household storage, do not obstruct a required window, and are the only such shed on the tax lot | No DOB filing fee where the shed meets every condition in 1 RCNY 101-14 Table 1. |
| Solar Permit | It depends | solar landscape lights are the only solar work DOB exempts from permit | Solar Panels is work type SL, an alteration priced on construction cost and requiring a... |
Planning a project in New York City?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project