COVID-19 Response

City halts non-essential construction

Please see here for guidance on how DOB is implementing the ban on non-essential construction during the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Buildings Bulletin

• Guidance Document on Enforcement of Essential vs. Nonessential Construction

• Service Notice

• FAQs: Essential and Non-Essential Construction In New York City During the Covid-19 New York State Emergency

• Essential Active Construction Sites Map

Service Changes

• Litigation Papers, Subpoenas, and FOIL Requests

• Postponement of Rule Hearings

• Cranes Filings (Phase One) Launch in DOB NOW: Build Postponed Until Further Notice

• Civil Penalty Review Requests (L2) and Post Approval Amendment (PAA) Payments

• Essential Construction Requests for Electrical and Limited Alteration Applications (LAA), Records Management Fee Payments and Reinstatement of BIS Jobs

• Weekly Safety Inspection Reports and New Customer Service Office Hours

Upcoming service changes:

• Additional Payments
• Certificates of Correction
• License Renewals
• Weekly Safety Inspection Reports

Alternate methods are being developed to provide online options for the above transactions. Additional Service Notices will be posted when these methods are available.

As part of the citywide response to the Coronavirus, the Department of Buildings (DOB) is continuing its efforts to immediately limit the amount of walk-in traffic to DOB offices. Effective immediately, the following mandatory operational changes have been implemented:

Drop off boxes are available for the following services:

Application Processing

After Hours Variances Certificates of Occupancy Data Entry Corrections Letters of Completion Letters of No Objection New and subsequent job filings

Permits and Permit Renewals Post Approval Amendments (PAA) Supersede Requests Temporary Certificates of Occupancy Temporary Use Permits Withdrawal Requests

eFiling for Application Processing:

• Permit renewals without changes must be processed in eFiling.
• For initial non-Hub standard plan BIS jobs, upload plans in eFiling/eSubmit after the job is in AP Entire/D status.
• Do not upload plans in eFiling/eSubmit for standard plan PAAs until it has been entered in BIS and the fees have been paid.

See the Application Processing Service Notice for more details. All applications need to be dropped-off or mailed to the borough office where the property is located.

Central Units

• Certificates of Correction
• Cranes and Derricks applications
• eFiling Authentication forms
• Full Demolition (DM) plans
• Licensing applications (initial, renewal and change requests)
• OP128: Ordinary Plumbing Work Reports
• Site Safety Plans (SSP)

See the AEU/Licensing Service Notice, CD/eFiling/LAA Service Notice and DM/SSP Service Notice for more details.

Phone or email services:

• Appointments for Standard Plan Review BIS Job Filings
• DOB Violations
• Stop Work Orders
• Vacate Orders

See the Enforcement Service Notice for more details about contacting the appropriate Enforcement unit. See the Appointments Service Notice for additional information.

Self-service online tools:

Continue to use eFiling for Hub Development and Full jobs and Permit Renewals (without changes). Continue to use DOB NOW: Build for all applicable work types.

The following are the remaining in-person services:

• Licensing – approved for new license and plate/seal pick up only
• Payments (Express Cashier in the borough offices and Central Cashier at 280 Broadway, 1st Floor)
• Plan Pick Up
• Records

Best Practices

• Dust Mitigation/Control in Occupied Buildings with Active Construction

• Preventing and Remediating the Contamination of Germs on Construction Sites