Operational Policy & Procedure Notices
1998 to 2008

The Department publishes Operation Technical Policy and Procedure Notices (OPPN). These notices represent official policies of the Department and assist customers in following various operational procedures. OPPN's issued before 1998 are noted as "pdf" for which you will need Adobe® Acrobat Reader® installed.

2004 * 2003 * 2002 * 2001 * 2000 * 1999 * 1998 * 1997 * 1996 * 1995 * 1994 * 1993 * 1992 * 1991 * 1990 * 1989 * 1988 * 1987


2008 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/08

Issued November 4, 2005

Company changes for licensed master plumbers and master fire piping suppression contractors -- To establish procedures for the approval of applications for company changes, either dropping a company or changing from one company to another, made by a licensed Master Plumbers or Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractors.

2007 OPPNs

No Operation Technical Policy and Procedure Notices (OPPN) was issued.

2006 OPPNs

No Operation Technical Policy and Procedure Notices (OPPN) was issued.

2005 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #03/05

Issued November 4, 2005

Home Improvement Contractor’s License Requirement for Certain Permits -- To confirm that applicants/contractors seeking work permits for certain types of work possess a New York City Department of Consumer Affairs ("DCA") Home Improvement Contractor's License (HIC license).

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #02/05

Issued June 9, 2005

Lots designated with an “E” on the Zoning Maps of the City of New York for potential hazardous material contamination, air and/or noise quality impacts -- To summarize procedures and requirements for permit applications affecting lots that have an E designation on the Zoning Maps of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York (the “ZR”) for potential hazardous material contamination, as set forth in OPPN # 1/03. To establish that these procedures also apply to lots located within the Special Hudson Yards District that have E designations for potential hazardous material contamination, noise and/or air quality impacts - Superseded by Buildings Bulletin 2014-026.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/05

Issued February 2, 2005

Procedure for LL 11/98 Unsafe Conditions Notification -- To establish a protocol for the Department of Buildings’ response when Professional Engineers or Registered Architects (PE/RA) submit a Notification of an Unsafe Condition (DOB form # LL-8) to the Borough Commissioner’s Office prior to filing a LL 11/98 Report. This notification is based on observation of a hazardous or unsafe façade condition when the Professional (PE/RA) is conducting a critical examination of exterior walls and appurtenances of buildings greater than six stories in height pursuant to Local Law 11 of 1998. - RESCINDED.

2004 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #02/04

Issued January 22, 2004

Procedure for Revocation of Permits and Use of Form Letter -- To standardize the Department's implementation of New York City Administrative Code ("AC") §27-197, with respect to the revocation of permits.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/04

Issued January 16, 2004

Professional Certification of Applications and Plans -- To clarify the New York City Department of Buildings' implementation of the optional plan review procedures, which allow a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to certify compliance with applicable laws and codes on applications filed by him/her as applicant. - Superseded by Buildings Bulletin 2016-010.

2003 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #03/03

Issued May 6, 2003

Professional Certification of Applications and Plans -- To clarify the New York City Department of Buildings' implementation of the optional plan review procedures, which allow a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to certify compliance with applicable laws and codes on applications filed by him/her as applicant. Superseded by OPPN 1/04 and BUILDINGS BULLETIN 2016-010.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #02/03

Issued March 27, 2003

Private Certified Elevator Inspection Company Non-Hazardous Violation Dismissal Program -- To improve DOB's efficiency and productivity in its inspection response time for complaints, requests to lift "cease use" orders, and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) inspections. It will also serve to reduce the time frame for scheduled elevator appointments. In addition, this program is intended to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the violation dismissal program and to lessen corruption-related opportunities.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/03

Issued March 12, 2003

Lots Designated with an "E" on the Zoning Maps of the City of New York for Potential Hazardous Contamination -- To set forth procedures and requirements for application approvals and permits related to lots that have an "E" designation on the Zoning Maps of the Zoning Resolution of the City of New York (the "ZR") for potential hazardous material contamination ("haz-mat E lots") - Superseded by OPPN 2/05 and BUILDINGS BULLETIN 2014-026.

2002 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #07/02

Issued October 16, 2002

Adult Establishments -- Securing Priorities -- To clarify procedures in order to ascertain whether a proposed adult establishment within 500 feet of or on the same zoning lot as another adult establishment is in violation of NYC Zoning Resolution ("ZR") §§32-01 and 42-01.

Superseded OPPN 06/96

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #06/02

Issued July 1, 2002

Procedure for Emergency Response -- To Standardize Emergency Response Procedures

Superseded OPPN 15/90

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #05/02

Issued June 18, 2002

Professional Certification of Applications and Plans --To clarify the Department's implementation of the optional plan review procedures, which allow a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to certify compliance with applicable laws and codes on applications filed by him/her as applicant, and which continue to enable a contractor to request a work permit after all required information is data entered into the Building Information System (BIS).

Superseded by OPPN 3/03.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #04/02

Issued June 28, 2002

Remote Submissions of Subsequent Applications Pilot Using the P.C. Filing Program -- Procedure for Remote Submission of Subsequent Applications. - RESCINDED.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #03/02

Issued March 5, 2002

Work Without a Permit Violations -- To provide a designation on the property profile index screen (BIS) to indicate whether a violation is for work without a permit, so that civil penalties pursuant to Administrative Code 26-212.1 (Local Law 58/88) can be assessed. This amendment is necessary to avoid open DOB violations from appearing on the index where the corresponding ECB violation has been properly lifted, and to capture civil penalties for all pending work without a permit violations, including un-served violations and violations which have not yet been data entered into AIMS by AEU. The table of infraction codes in the original PPN did not include Boiler work without permit violations.

Superseded OPPN #02/02.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #02/02

Issued January 23, 2002

Work Without a Permit Violations -- To provide a designation on the property profile index screen (BIS) to indicate whether a violation is for work without a permit, so that civil penalties pursuant to Administrative code 26-212.1 (Local Law 58/88) can be assessed. This amendment is necessary to avoid open DOB violations from appearing on the index where the corresponding ECB violation has been properly lifted, and to capture civil penalties for all pending work without a permit violations, including un-served violations and violations which have not yet been data entered into AIMS by AEU.

Superseded by OPPN 3/02.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/02

Issued January 2, 2002

Recording Access Warrants --
BIS notation for recording DOB access warrant activity.

2001 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #02/01

Issued December 27, 2001

ECB Violations Enforced Tax Liens To Be Denoted on BIS-- To provide a designation on the Property Profile Index screen (BIS) to indicate whether an ECB violation was served such that a resulting money judgment can be enforced by the New York City Department of Finance as a tax lien pursuant to Administrative Code Section 26-126.5. Also to provide notice to the public that a tax lien exists, or may exist, with respect to a specific premises.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #01/01

Issued December 27, 2001

Work Without a Permit Violations -- To provide a designation on the property profile index screen (BIS) to indicate whether a violation is for work without a permit, so that civil penalties pursuant to Administrative code 26-212.1 (Local Law 58/88) can be assessed.

Amended OPPN # 13/90 & 1/89.  Superseded by OPPN 2/02.

2000 OPPNs

 

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #05/00

Issued September 5, 2000

Establishment of the Central Complaint Center (212) 227-7000 -- To establish a Central Complaint Center and Interactive Voice Response Phone System: (212) 227-7000
Starting Spring of 2003, please call 311.
- RESCINDED.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #04/00

Issued June 15, 2000

Pre-Building Information Systems (BIS) Job Application -- This Policy and Procedure Notice (PPN) eliminates the reinstatement of a Pre-BIS job and an amendment to a Pre-BIS job. It requires a new application to be filed for approvals or permits to do work on any job that was filed prior to BIS implementation.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #03/00

Issued July 28, 2000

Alteration Repair Application -- To implement the use and acceptance of the Alteration Repair Application (ARA-1 Form) in accordance with Local Law 6 of 1997. The ARA-1 Form will replace the Plumbing Repair Application (PRA/OBI-1) Form.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #2/00

Issued March 17, 2000

Procedures to be followed regarding elevators. Certification of completion of work, collection of fees for missed appointments, temporary use permit renewals and pre-inspection clearance requests. -- To establish procedures to be applied to give effect to the newly promulgated Rules 11-05 and 11-06 of Chapter 11, Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #1/00

Issued January 6, 2000

Adult Establishment -- Factors Evidencing Sham Compliance -- To provide further guidance by setting forth factors to be considered in determining compliance with the adult use provisions of the Zoning Resolution.

Superseded OPPN 6/98

1999 OPPNs

 

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #10/99

Issued December 30, 1999

Sign Applications and Permits -- To ensure that signs in proximity to and within view of arterial highways and public parks comply with applicable Zoning Resolution and Building Code provisions.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #8/99

Issued November 22, 1999

Filing for periodic inspection of exterior walls and appurtenances of buildings - Local Law 10/80 and 11/98 -- To clarify the uniform citywide procedure for processing a Local Law 10/80 and 11/98 Inspection report filing. - RESCINDED.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #7/99

Issued October 21, 1999

Emergency Plumbing Permits -- To establish a procedure for the submission of emergency PRA'S during the heating season

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #6/99

Issued April 16, 1999

Express Permitting - Septic Systems -- To revise the filing procedure for the approval and permitting of on-site individual private sewage treatment systems. This is an interim PPN and will be finalized when the Rule Relating to Individual On-Site Sewage Treatment Systems is promulgated.

Superseded OPPN dated March 1997 Re: Express Permitting Septic Systems.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #5/99

Issued May 14, 1999

Gas Cards and Tests of Gas Piping -- To reinforce our policy with respect to the issuance of gas cards as it relates to work done by utility companies in certain circumstances.

Superseded OPPN #23/92.

Operational Policy and Procedure Notice #4/99

Issued May 24, 1999

Fees -- To impose a fee for filing a Post Approval Amendment. - RESCINDED.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #3/99

Issued March 4, 1999

Pre-filing Program -- To provide an expedited telephone pre-filing process by which a licensed contractor may notify the Bureau of Electrical Control that necessary work has commenced prior to the written submission of an Application for Certificate of Electrical Inspection.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #2/99

Issued February 17, 1999

Company Changes For Licensed Master Plumber And Master Fire Suppression Contractors -- To establish a procedure for the approval of applications for company changes made by a licensed Master Plumber or Master Fire Suppression Contractor.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #1/99

Issued January 5, 1999

Complaints and Violations Regarding Public School Buildings -- To ensure the proper procedure for complaints received and violations issued by the Department regarding public school buildings.

1998 OPPNs

 

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #9/98

Issued November 5, 1998

Emergency Plumbing Permits -- To establish a pilot for the submission of emergency PRA's during the heating season. (Superseded by OPPN 7/99)

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #8/98

Issued October 2, 1998

Bureau of Electrical Control - New Application Forms-- Describes revised application form that calls for new information as part of an electrician's application for a certificate of electrical inspection.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #7/98

Issued September 24, 1998(Revised October 22, 1998)

Illuminated Signs -- To provide guidelines for construction inspectors performing illuminated sign inspections.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #6/98

Issued August 13, 1998

Adult Establishment -- "Substantial Portion" - To provide guidance as to the meaning of the phrase "substantial portion" as used in the definition of "adult establishment" in Section 12-10 of the Zoning Resolution.

Supercedes OPPN #4/98

Superseded by OPPN #01/00

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #5/98

Issued July 22, 1998

Adult Establishment --"Regularly Feature" or "Regularly Expose" - To provide guidance as to the meaning of the phrases "regularly feature" and "regularly expose" as used in the definition of "adult establishment" in Section 12-10 of the Zoning Resolution.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #4/98

Issued July 22, 1998

Superceded by OPPN #6/98 (See above)

Adult Establishment -- "Substantial Portion" - To provide guidance as to the meaning of the phrase "substantial portion" as used in the definition of "adult establishment" in Section 12-10 of the Zoning Resolution.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #3/98

Issued May 27, 1998

Permit Holder Withdrawal Procedure -- To establish a uniform procedure for processing a permit holder withdrawal from a permitted job.

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #2/98

Issued March 25, 1998

New Fees -- Establishes new fees for the following: - RESCINDED.

  • Issuance of a Core Certificate of Completion
  • Issuance of a Temporary Place of Assembly Permit for a Temporary Event
  • Issuance of a Letter of No Objection

Operations Policy and Procedure Notice #1/98

Issued February 10, 1998

Completion Fee and Inspection Appointment Procedure for Electrical Certification -- Establishes new procedures regarding the scheduling of appointments with the Bureau of Electrical Control and new policies regarding fee payment.