Building permits in New York City, New York
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in New York City, 1 needs 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 needs 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 | Any size | ...permit: One-, two- or three-family dwelling) sets a minimum filing fee of $170.00... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Before any new installation, alteration or repair of electric wires, wiring apparatus... | ...sets "Electrical permit initial application (excluding minor work)" at $40.00, plus... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, measured from the higher of the two adjoining grades | ...dwelling) sets an Alteration Type 2 or Type 3 minimum filing fee of $130.00 and an... |
| 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 | ...is a "Filing fee calculated as for respective building alteration" with a $130.00... |
| Patio Permit | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 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 | ...item 11 sets the one-, two- or three-family LAA minimum filing fee at $130.00, and... |
| 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 | ...28-112.2 item 11 sets a one-, two- or three-family minimum filing fee of $170.00... |
| 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 | ...28-112.2 item 11 sets a one-, two- or three-family minimum filing fee of $130.00... |
| 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 | ...two- or three-family Alteration Type 2 or Type 3 minimum filing fee of $130.00... |
| Solar Permit | It depends | solar landscape lights are the only solar work DOB exempts from permit | ...three-family dwelling that means Table 28-112.2 item 11: minimum filing fee $170.00... |
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New York City permit fees compared with nearby New York localities
| New York locality | Deck Permit | HVAC Permit | Electrical Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | ...dwelling) sets a minimum filing fee of $170.00 for... | ...as for respective building alteration" with a $130.00... | ...application (excluding minor work)" at $40.00, plus a... |
| Buffalo | ...repairs to residential structures are charged at $5... | Heating permit application: $50.00 application fee, plus a... | Electrical permit application: $50.00 application fee for... |
| Rochester | ...permit fees page: "Deck up to 144 sq. ft." $75.00... | ...on the actual cost of work, which start at $75.00 for... | ...fee page: "New dwelling unit with service" $275.00... |
| Town of Brookhaven | See schedule | See schedule | See schedule |
Each cell is the opening clause of that New York jurisdiction's own fee schedule; the full wording and source sit on each permit page.
New York City penalty for work started without a permit
New York City publishes what it charges when work begins before the permit, quoted here from the schedule or permit page we verified.
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The matching 1 and 2 family penalty for filing after the fact starts at $780.00.
New York City plumbing permit page · last checked
The New York statute, the after-the-fact permit path and who may pull the permit: building without a permit in New York.
New York City permit questions, answered from the data
- Do you need a permit in New York City?
- For most projects, yes. Of the 10 permit types we have verified for New York City, 1 always requires a permit (for example a deck permit), 8 depend on size or scope (an electrical permit, for instance). Each New York City permit type's page states the exact rule and its source.
- How much does a permit cost in New York City?
- New York City publishes a fee for 9 of the 10 permit types we cover, each quoted on its page from the jurisdiction's own schedule (linked on every page that carries one). Fees are set by New York City Department of Buildings (DOB); we do not estimate or mark them up.
- Where do you apply for a permit in New York City?
- New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) issues permits in New York City, with an online portal for applications, plan uploads and status checks, and takes questions at (212) 566-5000. The New York City official page and portal are linked in the office section above.
- What is the penalty for building without a permit in New York City?
- New York City publishes its own charge for work started before the permit: The matching 1 and 2 family penalty for filing after the fact starts at $780.00. That is the local bill; the New York statute, the after-the-fact permit path and who may pull the permit are on the New York building-without-a-permit page.
How the New York City pages were verified. 10 permit types, 6 distinct official sources, most recently checked . Every rule is read from New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) or the applicable code and cited on its page; anything we could not confirm for New York City is marked rather than estimated. How we verify.