How to Get a Renovation Permit in NYC: The Complete Guide
Navigating the NYC Department of Buildings can be overwhelming. This guide demystifies the entire permit process for your home renovation, from understanding when you need one to the final sign-off.
Get Help With Your PermitsIn New York City, the phrase “permits required” can send a shiver down any homeowner’s spine. The process, managed by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), is notoriously complex. Yet, for most significant renovations—from a kitchen remodel in Queens to a brownstone gut in Brooklyn—it’s a non-negotiable legal requirement.
Attempting to bypass the system can lead to stop-work orders, hefty fines, and major problems when you try to sell your home. This guide is designed to be your plain-language resource for the entire DOB permit process. We’ll explain what kind of work requires a permit, the different types of applications, the typical timeline and costs, and how an experienced general contractor can be your most valuable asset in navigating the bureaucracy.
Section 1: Do I Even Need a Permit?
This is the first critical question. The DOB’s general rule is that you need a permit for most construction, plumbing, and electrical work. Cosmetic upgrades, often called “decorative work,” typically do not. However, the line can be blurry.
Interactive Tool: Permit Needed?
Select a project to see if it typically requires a DOB permit.
Section 2: Understanding the Lingo: ALT1 vs. ALT2 Permits
If your project requires a permit, it will almost certainly fall into one of two categories: an Alteration Type 1 (ALT1) or an Alteration Type 2 (ALT2). The difference is crucial, as it dramatically affects the cost, timeline, and complexity of your project.
Interactive Tool: Which Permit Do I Need?
Click a project type to see which permit is usually required.
Section 3: The Permit Filing Process Step-by-Step
Getting a permit is not a single action but a sequence of steps that must be followed precisely. The process is managed through the DOB’s online portal, DOB NOW. It requires a Registered Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE) to prepare and submit the plans.
Interactive Tool: The DOB Filing Journey
Click through the steps to see the typical path to getting your permit.
Section 4: Permit Costs & Timeline
The “soft costs” associated with permits can be a significant part of your renovation budget. This includes fees for the architect, engineer (if needed), and the DOB filing fees themselves.
Interactive Tool: Permit Timeline Estimator
Slide to see how long each phase of the permit process typically takes.
Section 5: The Co-op Board Factor
For co-op owners, the DOB is only half the battle. You must first get approval from your building’s co-op board, which often has rules that are even stricter than the city’s. This process involves submitting an “alteration agreement” package prepared by your architect.
Interactive Tool: Co-op vs. Condo – What’s the Difference?
Click to see the key difference for renovations.
Section 6: Don’t Forget Asbestos Testing
Before the DOB will approve any renovation that involves demolition, you must submit an Asbestos Assessment Report (ACP5 form). If your building was constructed before April 1, 1987, a licensed asbestos investigator must test samples of the materials that will be disturbed.
Interactive Tool: Do I Need an Asbestos Test?
When was your building built?
Section 7: Closing Out Your Permit
Getting the permit is just the beginning. Once construction is complete, your architect must conduct final inspections and submit a sign-off to the DOB to officially close out the permit. An open permit can prevent you from selling or refinancing your property.
Interactive Tool: Final Sign-Off Checklist
These items are required to close your permit.
Section 8: Why a Design-Build Firm is Your Best Ally
The NYC permit process is designed to be managed by licensed professionals. A design-build firm like N.Y. Renovation Services is your single point of contact for the entire journey. We manage the architect, the engineers, the filings, and all communication with the DOB and your building management.
Interactive Tool: Who Files the Paperwork?
Can a contractor file plans with the DOB?
Section 9: Case Study: A Complicated Brooklyn Combination
A client in a landmarked Brooklyn Heights building wanted to combine two apartments. This project required an ALT1 permit and approvals from both the co-op board and the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
Interactive Tool: Approvals Needed
How many agencies were involved in approving this project?
Let Us Handle the Paperwork.
The NYC permit process is our expertise. Our integrated team of designers, project managers, and expediters manages the entire process for you, ensuring your renovation is fully compliant and stress-free.
