DOB NOW: Build Frequently Asked Questions

You need an eFiling account to use DOB NOW: Build, Safety or BIS Options. To register for eFiling, go to the eFiling Registration page. For more information about how to register, visit: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips. Once your eFiling account is activated, use your eFiling email address and password to log into DOB NOW at www.nyc.gov/dobnow.

No, you can use your existing eFiling username and password to access DOB NOW. However, you may need to update your eFiling account with your license information.

DOB NOW: Inspections uses a different account management system. You will need to create an eFiling account to use DOB NOW: Build, Safety or BIS Options.

Owners, Filing Representatives, Professional Engineers, Registered Architects, Licensed Contractors, Special Inspectors, and Progress Inspectors all must register in eFiling to review and submit jobs, permits and requests.

If you are a licensee, general contractor or design professional, you should have received an email at the time of registration asking to activate the account and to submit an Authentication Form. If this email was not received, the applicant can log into eFiling and click the link to have the email resent. Then follow the directions on the Authentication form and submit it to activate the account.

Once the Authentication Form is submitted to DOB, it will take approximately 2 business days or less for your account to be activated. The applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the license type to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

To reset your eFiling password, click here: https://a810-efiling.nyc.gov/eRenewal/forgotPasswordER.jsp.

An active eFiling account specific to a license number is needed to submit filings in DOB NOW: Build and Safety. To update an eFiling account to include a license number, the applicant needs to log into eFiling and select Manage Your Account. In this section, select Manage Account, confirm that the information is correct including License # and click Submit. Print the Authentication Form. Scan the form and a copy of your state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, or DOB ID as one PDF file. Upload the PDF file at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. Select Module eFiling Authentication Forms, fill out the required fields and upload the file in the Supporting Information Upload section.

The license information will be verified, and the eFiling account will be changed from pending to active status.

Once the eFiling account is active, the applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the license type to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

Owners and Filing Representatives:

1. Log into eFiling
2. Click Manage Your Account
3. Click Show
4. Click Manage Account
5. Update your information
6. Click Submit

Your updated name or address will take effect in eFiling immediately. The applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the new information to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

Licensees and General Contractors:

1. Update your address with the DOB Licensing Unit, following the process for a licensee or general contractor
2. After you have updated your address with the DOB Licensing unit, login to eFiling
3. Click Manage Your Account
4. Click Show
5. Click Manage Account
6. Update your mailing address
7. Click Submit

Design Professionals:

1. Log into eFiling
2. Click Manage Your Account
3. Click Show
4. Click Manage Account
5. Update your information
6. Click Submit
7. Print, sign, date, and seal the Authentication form

Once you log into DOB NOW with your eFiling account, the business name associated with it is saved in the system. If you are the Applicant or Delegated Associate, you can add an additional business name by first following the above process to change the business name in eFiling. Then when you log into DOB NOW you will have the option to select both the prior business name and the new business name.

Currently DOB NOW auto-populates with the business name provided in eFiling for Filing Representatives and Owners and an additional business name cannot be selected.

To add an additional email address, log into eFiling, select Manage Your Account, click Show, click Manage Account and then add the additional address in the Secondary Email Address field. Then click Submit.

The secondary email address can be used to log into DOB NOW and to be assigned a role in DOB NOW filings. Only filings associated with the email address you log in with will appear on your DOB NOW dashboard.

An active eFiling account specific to a Class 2 Filing Representative number is needed to act as a Delegated Associate in DOB NOW: Build. To update the account information, the applicant needs to log into eFiling and select Manage Your Account. In this section, select Manage Account, confirm that the information is correct and that the Class 2 Filing Rep # and Business Name have been added and click Submit. Print the Authentication Form. Scan the form and a copy of your state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, or DOB ID as one PDF file. Upload the PDF file at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. Select Module eFiling Authentication Forms, fill out the required fields and upload the file in the Supporting Information Upload section

Your license information will be verified, and your eFiling account will be changed from pending to active status.

Once the eFiling account is active, the applicant will need to log into DOB NOW at least once for the license type to populate when the email address is entered in a filing.

Since your email address serves as your user ID you should try to maintain the same email address throughout the application process.

To change your email address in eFiling, log into eFiling, select Manage Your Account and enter your new email address in the Change Email Address section.

DOB NOW filings are associated with the email address you used at the time the filing was submitted. If you need to take action on any filings with your prior email address, a supersede request will need to be submitted for each job.

To change your email address in eFiling, log into eFiling, select Manage Your Account and enter your new email address in the Change Email Address section.

DOB NOW filings are associated with the email address you used at the time the filing was submitted. If you need to take action on any filings with your prior email address, a supersede request will need to be submitted for each job.

A notarized request letter is required stating that you would like your eFiling account deleted. The letter must include your first and last name, the email address associated to your eFiling account and, if applicable, your license type and license number. Scan the letter and a copy of your state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, or DOB ID as one PDF file. Upload the PDF file at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. Select Module eFiling Authentication Forms, fill out the required fields and upload the file in the Supporting Information Upload section.

Once the eFiling account is deleted you will then be able to create a new eFiling account with the new email address.

Your DOB NOW filings are associated with the email address you used at the time the filing was submitted. At this time, there is not a way to see prior filings when you log in with a new email address.

If you need to take action on any filings with your prior email address, a supersede request will need to be submitted for each job.

A notarized request letter is required stating that you would like your eFiling account deleted. The letter must include your first and last name, the email address associated to your eFiling account and, if applicable, your license type and license number. Scan the letter and a copy of your state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, or DOB ID as one PDF file. Upload the PDF file at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. Select Module eFiling Authentication Forms, fill out the required fields and upload the file in the Supporting Information Upload section. Once the eFiling account is deleted you will then be able to create a new eFiling account with a new email address.

No. Jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build do not appear in the Buildings Information System (BIS).

You can access all information on jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build through the DOB NOW Public Portal or the City’s Open Data Portal.

Use both DOB NOW and BIS to find building data.

There is a Search by BIN option. This is more inclusive than searching by address because some buildings have multiple addresses. This search will pull up all filings, even if you are not a stakeholder on the filing. However, an applicant can search by address on their own dashboard and this option is also available on the DOB NOW public portal (without logging in).

You can find the filing status by searching the DOB NOW public portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. Search by address and then select BUILD: Job Filings at the bottom of the screen. If you are associated with the job, you can also see the filing status on your dashboard when you log into DOB NOW: Build.

Completed filings cannot be removed from the dashboard but there are many sort options so they can be filtered out. The initial sort on the dashboard is by modified date so completed filings will show at the bottom over time.

There is currently no API functionality available in DOB NOW: Build.

The person who creates the filing (registered design professional, filing representative or owner) enters the email address of your eFiling account in the Stakeholders section of the job. Jobs that you are associated with will appear on your dashboard when you log into DOB NOW: Build with your eFiling account. To register for eFiling, go to the eFiling Registration page. For more information about how to register, visit: www.nyc.gov/dobnowtips.

Owners can enter all filing information and make payments on their jobs. They can also view all documents that are part of their job.

After you review the filing, you must complete the Owner’s Attestation section on the Statements and Signatures tab. The owner must be logged in with the same email address that was entered in the filing under the Owner Information in the Stakeholders section. Open the job from the dashboard and then select the Statements & Signatures tab. Check the box to attest the filing and then select the Save button at the top of the screen.

Currently, in DOB NOW: Build, a job filing may only have one owner associated.

Once a job filing is paid for, the only way to change the owner is to complete a Supersede Letter and submit it at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. The owner cannot be changed if a Letter of Completion has been issued for the job or if a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued. The new owner that is entered on the Supersede Letter must have an active eFiling account.

On a General Construction (GC) permit only, the owner can be the applicant.

Design Professionals can enter, update and view all filing information that they are associated with, and submit completed filings. They can also make payments on jobs that they are associated with. Design Professionals can also overwrite any data entry in the application that was entered by a Licensed Professional except information in the Statements and Signatures tab.

Registered Architects (RA) or Professional Engineers (PE) can submit a work permit. They are required to enter insurance information and upload a certificate of insurance in the Documents section of the permit application.

Plan Examiners will enter comments on the drawings and upload the marked-up plans. When Design Professionals log into the portal, they can download the marked-up plans. The Plan Examiner will also create Objections on the filing if applicable that can be viewed on the Objections/Appointments tab of the filing.

The Technical Reports do not need to be identified until the permit is created. A job filing can be submitted and approved without identifying the progress/special inspector.

The Special Inspection Agency has to be approved for that specific Special Inspection type. For a list of the approved Special Inspections for the Special Inspector, look up the SIA using the Skilled Trades Licensees Search in the Buildings Information System.

The Design Professional and Owner attest on the Plans/Work (PW1) section of the filing, not the permit (PW2).

Licensed Contractors can enter and submit information for work permits (PW2) and After Hour Variance (AHV) permits. They can view all data (PW1, Scope of Work, PW3 and Technical Reports) that is part of the filing. They can also make payments on jobs that they are associated with.

No. The Licensed Contractor cannot enter data into the PW1, Scope of Work, PW3 or Technical Reports.

No, you will receive a notification that the insurance or license has expired and you will be unable to submit the PW2.

Design Professionals and Licensed Contractors must electronically sign in DOB NOW: Build. Electronic signatures are completed in the Statements and Signatures tab. In addition, Design Professional and Licensed Contractors must physically sign and seal the Statements and Signatures form and upload the completed document for the associated required item.

Design Professionals and Licensed Contractors must upload the completed Design Professional/Licensee Seal and Signature form (DPL-1 Form) with their signature and seal in the required documents section of DOB NOW: Build.

Only the Design Professional or Licensed Contractor may upload the completed Design Professional/Licensee Seal and Signature form. This submitted form is then validated to the licensee registration information.

Filing Representatives can enter and view all filing information (PW1, Scope of Work, PW3, Technical Reports and PW2) that are part of the filing. They can make payments on jobs that they are associated with. They cannot upload plans or submit filings/permits.

Filing representatives now have the capability to select the Preview to File button to see what is needed to proceed with the filing.

No, a filing representative can do the data entry of the work permit application but only the applicant of the permit (contractor) can submit it.

An RLA can only file Builders Pavement Plan (BPP), Curb Cut (CC), and Earthwork (EA) jobs. BPP is still filed in BIS/eFiling.  Curb Cut and Earthwork are filed in DOB NOW: Build. Earthwork includes a Landscape subcategory, which replaces the prior OT/LAN work type in BIS/eFiling. For other work types, DOB NOW limits the license type to only Registered Architect (RA) and Professional Engineer (PE). If RLAs needs to be associated to other work types, they can be added under the Preparer or Delegated Associates sections.

Complete section 1 (location information) and section 2 (stakeholders) on the PW1. Once those sections are saved, a job number will be created, and you can return to your job to enter the rest of the data.

You should save your work often. Do not wait until you have completed the enter filing to save it. If you experience an Internet connectivity issue while completing the filing, you could lose any unsaved work.

If you attempt to submit a filing without completing all the required fields, the system will highlight the missing required fields in red.

Your role as a Design Professional, Licensed Contractor, Owner, or Filing Representative determines what information you can enter. If there are fields grayed out when you open the filing it means the information cannot be changed. Some fields, like BIN, Community Board and Zip Code are grayed out because they will be auto-populated by the system once the filing is Saved.

In the Required Documents of a filing, each document has a Prior To designation. Documents that are required Prior to Approval must be uploaded to submit the filing. Some documents can be waived or deferred. See the Waiver and Deferral Document Request List.

This may slow down the review of the application and/or cause additional objections to be added later. It is recommended that you file a related job as a subsequent job filing whenever possible.   

Enter the associated job number(s) in Section 8 (Additional Information) of the PW1 in DOB NOW: Build. For a job filed in eFiling, note the DOB NOW job number in the comment section on the PW1 (Section 24).

Only a Registered Architect or Professional Engineer may submit a job filing in DOB NOW: Build.

Corrections can be made on the filing after it has been submitted but only before the filing has been assigned to a Plan Examiner or QA Administrator for Review. Select Correction from the Filing Action column on the Job Filings dashboard. Corrections are allowed for filings with status of:

• Pending Plan Examiner Assignment
• Pending Prof Cert QA Review

If corrections result in additional fees, those fees must be paid before the filing can be resubmitted.
Once the application has been filed, changes can be made except for the following fields below which will be greyed out and are not editable:

• Location Information
• Applicant Information
• Job Filing Review Type
• Building Type
• Property Owner’s Information

After saving the changes, select the Resubmit button to submit the filing. The filing will not be reviewed by DOB until it is resubmitted.

Standard Plan will be reviewed by DOB plan examiners, Professional certification enables Professional Engineers (PE) and Registered Architects (RA) to certify that the plans they file with the Department are in compliance with all applicable laws.

Once the application has been saved, changes cannot be made to the Job Filing Review Type. If the application is in pre-filing status and has not been paid for, it can be deleted and a new application can be created with the correct Job Filing Review Type. If the application is paid for and in pre-filing or approved status, submit a request to withdraw the filing and then a refund can be requested.

Once the application has been saved, changes cannot be made to the Location Information fields, which will be greyed out and are not editable. Verify all information before saving the application. If the application is in pre-filing status and has not been paid for, it can be deleted and a new application can be created with the correct Job Filing Review Type. If the application is paid for and in pre-filing or approved status, submit a request to withdraw the filing and then a refund can be requested.

• On the Plan/Work (PW1) tab, go to the Objections/Appointments tab and click Edit to see the Objection Details.
• In the objections details you will see that the Objection Status is Open. Once you resolve the issue and add Comments, go to the Objection Status dropdown and update the status to Resolved. The status needs to be changed for all open objections.
• Then select Update under the Action column and Save the filing.
• The applicant needs to again complete the Statements & Signatures section.
• After steps 1-4 are completed, the applicant will be able to click on the Re-Submit button on the upper left of the screen.
• Click Next to review each page of the job filing, place a check mark in the box to re-apply the electronic signature.
• Click on the File button to re-submit the job filing.

To see the incomplete reason, click on the History button that is located on the main screen of the job filing above the Pay Now button and then select Trace History. Click on Comments to see the incomplete reasons. Once the issue(s) is resolved, the applicant needs to complete the Statements & Signatures tab, click on the Resubmit button on the upper left of the screen, click Next to review each page of the job filing, place a check mark in the box to re-apply the electronic signature and click on the File button to resubmit the job filing.

Enter your response in the Comments section on the Plans/Work (PW1) tab of the filing and Resubmit. The CPE/ACPE will review the Comments once the filing is resubmitted.

• A QA Failed Reasons tab will appear on the left menu under the Documents tab. Click on the tab to see the detailed failed reasons.
• Once the issue(s) is resolved, the applicant needs to again complete the Statements & Signatures tab. If there is a work permit attached to the filing, the contractor will also need to complete the Applicant/Contractor Statement on the Work Permit (PW2).
• After steps 1-2 are completed, the applicant will be able to click on the Re-Submit button on the upper left of the screen. click Next to review each page of the job filing, place a check mark in the box to re-apply the electronic signature.
• Click on the File button to re-submit the job filing.

A temporary BIN is required to do work at that address. To request a BIN, contact the topographical bureau at the appropriate Borough President’s office and request confirmation of the address. As part of that process, have the Borough President stamp and sign a PD-1 Plot Diagram form for the work that you plan to do. If you are splitting or merging existing lot numbers, you will need to request a lot merger or apportionment from the Department of Finance. Then submit your forms in DOB NOW: Build along with a brief explanation of the work that you are planning to do. From the DOB NOW dashboard select +Requests and then Temporary BIN. For more information see page 81 of this Training Presentation.

On the NYCECC Compliance section of the application, select the second radio button and then select the last option, Work does not require any TR8 Energy Code Progress Inspections. This option must be selected to remove the TR8 tab from the filing.

Currently, an EN2 is only required as a document for the GC work type. If it is indicated on the NYCECC tab that a TR8 is required, then an EN2 needs to be uploaded.

Yes, plan examiners will accept drawings signed and sealed by others.

On Mechanical filings, a Preliminary Commissioning Report is required if on the Scope of Work tab it is indicated that the BTU/HR is greater than or equal to 480,000 for cooling equipment or if the BTU/HR is greater than or equal to 600,000 for heating equipment.  On Boiler Equipment filings, a Preliminary Commissioning Report is required if the sum total of the rated input capacity is 600,000 or greater. For Plumbing, Standpipe and Sprinkler jobs, there is a question on the Statements & Signatures section for the Applicant under Technical Report Energy (TR8) for the applicant to indicate if commissioning is required.

Appointments for DOB NOW: Build jobs cannot be scheduled in the Appointments system for BIS jobs. After the plan examiner performs the initial review of the job filing in DOB NOW and raises objections, the applicant and owner will receive an email notification and the job will be in Objections status. If the plan examiner has determined that an appointment is required, the applicant can schedule an appointment in the job filing using the Objections/Appointment section of the application.

In addition to the applicant, a class 2 filing representative and a registered design professional can be added as Delegated Associates in the Stakeholders section of the filing. The eFiling account of the class 2 filing representative must include the class 2 license number to be added to a filing as a delegated associate.  Once added to the filing, Delegated Associates can be added to an appointment request.

Yes, an appointment can be attended by Delegates without the applicant.

Once a job filing is assigned to a specific plan examiner, that is the plan examiner you will meet with for the duration of the plan examination process.

If you need to modify or reschedule your appointment, you must notify DOB by cancelling your appointment in the system and creating a new meeting request.

If DOB needs to reschedule the appointment, the initial appointment will be cancelled and an email notification will be sent telling the applicant to create a new meeting request.

You can only schedule one appointment at a time for the same job.

Appointments can only be scheduled by the applicant when a job is in Objections status (not Plan Examiner Review) and if the plan examiner has indicated that a meeting is required. Only one appointment can be completed when the job is in Objections status. If another appointment is needed, the job has to be resubmitted by the applicant and then the plan examiner can review again. The plan examiner can then issue additional objections and can again indicate that a meeting is required.

The applicant should make every effort to respond to the first round of objections without an appointment. If there is a second round of objections, plan examiners are advised to require an appointment.

Appointments for NB and Alt-CO jobs will be 40 minutes. Appointments for Alteration jobs remain 20 minutes.

For jobs filed in DOB NOW: Build, meetings with plan examiners are held online using GoTo Meeting or an option is provided to meet with the plan examiner in-person.

In many cases but not all.  To increases chances of all filings related to the same project being reviewed by the same plan examiner, create additional filings as subsequent filings.

If you don’t already have the GoTo Meeting software, it will download automatically after clicking the GoTo Meeting invitation link. Plan to join the meeting a few minutes early to make sure you have everything you need.

When you respond to an objection, you will need to resubmit the filing and it will be re-assigned to the plan examiner to review.

Design Professionals, Licensees, Class 2 Filing Representatives, and Owners associated with a filing can schedule and attend appointments.

An applicant can upload new plans at any point while the job is in Objections status (before, during, after the appointment). However, resubmit (which is for the filing as whole), can only be done after any appointments are dispositioned (objections resolved, documents and plans uploaded). Filings remain in Objections status throughout an appointment and until resubmit occurs.  (A filing must be in Objections status for an appointment to be scheduled and to occur.) 

Check the Document Waiver and Deferral Options to determine if a required document is eligible for a waiver or deferral. If the document can be deferred or waived, from the filing in DOB NOW: Build, go to the Documents section and from the Action field next to the Document name, select Request Deferral or Request Waiver. See How to Submit a Waiver or Deferral Request.

See the Waiver and Deferral Document Request List to determine if a document is eligible for a waiver or deferral. The request can be made at any time in the filing process. The document must be in Required or Rejected status, not Submitted. See the Step-by-Step Guide for more information.

If data obtained from NYS Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) indicates the building contains at least one rent-regulated unit, the owner is required in the Owner's Attestation section under Statements and Signatures to select Yes to Question 1 (occupied dwelling units during construction) and Yes to Question 5 (rent controlled or rent stabilized housing). This will remove the DHCR document from the required documents section of the filing. If No is selected to either of these questions, documentation is required to prove that the building will not be occupied during construction or does not contain any occupied rent regulated housing accommodations to proceed with the application.

A system update is being made to remove the Lowest Floor Elevation Plan as a required document. Lowest Floor Elevation Plan is also a technical report that appears as a requirement on the TR1 tab. Only the technical report should be required. Until the system fix is made, a diagram or letter showing the elevation can be uploaded as a document to proceed.

The OER: Notice to Proceed and Landmark Approval documents are now required prior to permit issuance rather than prior to approval so that the application can be submitted without these documents. If the application is not professionally certified, plan examiners will check for OER and landmark approvals and validate architectural plans prior to plan approval.

The approved plan set will be located in the Documents tab, under the “Plans” document name. The approved plan set will have an electronic approval stamp at the bottom right corner of the plan set. Only the stakeholders associated with the job will be able to view the Plans.

Plans submitted in DOB NOW: Build are required to include the DOB NOW job number with the extension that indicates initial (I1), amendment (P1) or subsequent (S1) on the lower right corner of each drawing sheet. See the Service Notice for more information.

No, the plan sets and required documents are not available in Open Data. Only data fields entered in the filing are published in Open Data. If you are associated with the filing, you can see the plans and all required documents. If you are not associated with the filing, submit a records request in DOB NOW: BIS Options.

For Plumbing, Standpipe and Sprinkler jobs, there is a question on the Statements & Signatures section for the Applicant under Technical Report Energy (TR8) for the applicant to indicate if commissioning is required. The answer to this question triggers the required document. If there is a related energy submission, it must also indicate that commissioning is not required for the document to be removed.

A combined filing is one application with more than one work type. There are restrictions on which work types can be combined in a filing. When an application is created, the system will only allow you to select the work types that can be combine filed. Once a combined filing is approved, a composite permit can be created with more than one work type or a permit can be created with just one work type. Once a combined filing or composite permit is created, a work type cannot be withdrawn from the filing nor the permit.

No, a single work type cannot be withdrawn from a composite permit. The work types on a composite permit cannot be changed once it is permitted. The entire permit would need to be withdrawn and then new permits could be created for individual work types. We ask that users take this into consideration when choosing to create a composite permit.

No, it is the applicant’s choice whether to pull a composite or single work type permit. If different contractors are doing the work, then a composite work type cannot be submitted. It should also be considered that once a composite permit is pulled, individual work types cannot be withdrawn from that permit.

No. If the work requires a Site Safety Plan (SSP) or Tenant Protection Plan (TTP) the permit (PW2) cannot be submitted with the application (PW1). The permit can only be submitted after the SSP or TTP has been approved.

The Demolition Sub-Contractor's information is required when the Additional Considerations, Limitations or Restrictions section on the PW1 indicates that the work includes “demolishing more than 50% of the floor area of the buildings." A permit may require a Site Safety Plan with or without the Demolition Sub-Contractor information.   The demolition sub-contractor has to log into DOB NOW to attest before the permit can be submitted.

The filing representative on the filing and on the permit are not linked; changing one will not change the other.

No. A composite permit and a permit for a single work type cost the same.

Currently the QA Review process takes 3 business days or less.

Follow these steps to resubmit a permit that is in QA Failed status:

1. To see the reasons, open the work permit application and go to the QA Failed Reasons tab on the left vertical menu, above the Documents tab.
2. Once the issue has been resolved, change the QA Failed Status to Resolved and enter any Comments.
3. The applicant needs to complete the Applicant/Contractor Statement section and then Save the filing.
4. Click Resubmit at the top of the screen to submit the permit.

If you are associated with a filing, you can print a permit by logging into DOB NOW: Build and from the Work Permits dashboard, locate the work permit. From the Filing Action field, select Print Work Permit. On the confirm screen, click Yes. The permit can then be printed using your browser’s print option.

If you are not associated with the filing, you can log into DOB NOW: Build and enter the job number into the Search field. From the Filing Action field, select Print Work Permit. The permit can also be printed from the DOB NOW public portal (not logging in) and searching by address. From the BUILD: Job Filings section, double click on the job number, select Work Permit and then Print Permit.

Curb cut permits cannot be renewed. If the work is not complete, a new application needs to be created. If the work is complete and the permit is expired, call the Construction Development Inspection unit in the borough that the job is located to request an inspection.

Current code and rule provisions are applicable in DOB NOW. Please see Rule 101-08 that explains that all insurance requirements must be maintained for the duration of the permit. Your permit will expire based on the date of the earliest expiring insurance.

If the expiration date of a permit in DOB NOW is less than one year from date of issuance because of expiration of the license or insurance, the permit will be extended automatically at no cost if the insurance or license is renewed before the expiration date.

Permits issued in DOB NOW have an expiration date that is the earliest of:

• insurances expiration (general liability, disability, or workers’ compensation);
• license expiration;
• one year from date of issuance.

When insurance or license expiration dates are updated in BIS, any permits that are set to expire in the next 31 days will be extended the night after the update occurs in BIS.

In order to get the automatic permit extension, renewal information must be submitted at least five (5) days in advance to DOB’s Licensing & Exams Unit to ensure sufficient time for processing. (See instructions to submit new insurance certificates or license renewal information.) If there is a lapse in insurance or license, then the licensee will need to renew the permit and pay the $100 fee. For permits that expire because it has been more than one year since the date of issuance, the licensee must also continue to renew and pay the $100 fee.

When a permit is created, DOB NOW determines if PGL1 insurance is required (including demolition and size of the building) and one document called Project Specific General Liability (PGL1) needs to be provided. Use the online tool provided in eFiling to generate the certification document and upload it as one pdf with the ACORD form.

When you are ready to pay, you will be directed to the City’s online payment portal by clicking the Pay Now button.

An eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit and debit cards may be used to pay on the site. If you pay with a credit or debit card, a 2% fee will be added to your total payment amount. There is no fee if you use an eCheck. A credit card payment is processed immediately but an eCheck payment can take up to 10 business days to be processed.

When an invalid check is submitted in DOB NOW, the job filing is placed on hold and a $20 fee is added to the original fee. A $20 fee will be added for each returned check. Once a hold is placed on a job filing, it will not be lifted until notification is received from the bank that the subsequent payment has cleared, which for an eCheck takes 10 business days from the date of submitting the subsequent payment.

An eCheck is an electronic payment using your checking account. Just like with a paper check, the funds will be withdrawn from your checking account. If you choose to pay with an eCheck, you will be asked to enter your check routing and account number. Your routing number is the 9 digit number on the bottom of your check. Your account number is your checking account number, which is usually 10-12 digits.

No. When you file a job in DOB NOW: Build, all payments must be submitted online.

Anyone who is associated with a job can make a payment on that job. Owners, Design Professionals, Licensed Professionals, and Filing Representatives can make payments in DOB NOW: Build.

You will not be able to submit a filing until you have paid.

After completing the relevant scope of work information, Save the filing and the fees will display when the Pay Now button is selected.

DOB NOW calculates fees according to the NYC Construction Codes as amended by Local Law 56 of 2016. Please see Table 28-112.2 for further information.

Partial payments are not allowed for Alteration jobs. For NB and Alt-CO jobs, an option is provided to pay minimum/50% of the filing fee. If less than the full amount of the filing fee is paid, the balance must be paid before requesting the work permit.

The pop-up blocker is preventing the payment from processing. Disable the pop-up blocker on your browser to process the payment.

Re-click on the credit card tab on the Enter Payment Details page to continue with a credit card payment.

You cannot enter special characters like # in any of the fields. Remove the special character(s) and continue to the next screen.

Go to the filing in DOB NOW and click on the Pay Now button again to continue with making a payment.

Go to the filing in DOB NOW and click on the Pay Now button again to continue with making a payment.

The system was unable to process the payment. There may be a connectivity issue between CityPay and the bank. Wait a moment and then go through the process again to proceed with payment.

The fee exempt status of a filing is determined by the selection made in the Stakeholders section under Owner Information. If the Owner Type is selected as Non-Profit Organization, NYC Agency, Other Government Owned or NYCHA/HHC, then the fees will be removed and an ACRIS report is required to verify the building is tax exempt. See this guide.

For jobs created in DOB NOW after July 1, 2019, the civil penalty review request (L2) is made in DOB NOW as part of the filing by selecting L2 (Civil Penalty Review) from the Filing Action column of the job on the DOB NOW dashboard. The L2 Fee is calculated in DOB NOW as part of the L2 request. Once the Violation details are added and the request is saved, select View Request to see the L2 fee.

If you want to pay the full civil penalty, submit payment in-person at the borough office in which the property is located. Provide the cashier with a copy of the PDF that is generated when View Request is selected. Then upload the receipt to the L2 request in DOB NOW. The L2 request then needs to be submitted and approved before the permit can be submitted.

To find out the civil penalty amount for a BIS job or a job created in DOB NOW prior to July 1, 2019, submit a PER11 form to request a fee adjustment.

For BIS filings, the permit status needs to be In Process. For jobs filed in DOB NOW, the system will allow you to enter the L2 request when the application (PW1) is Approved. 

L2 requests for codes LEG, SAPW, SWBC and SWOE cannot be submitted in DOB NOW. Use a PER11 Appointment Request Form and email it to the appropriate borough office Plan Exam address with the L2 form.

If the civil penalty was paid in full on the initial filing, submit the Subsequent as a new work application. If the civil penalty was not paid in full, submit as a legalization application.

Local Law 158 of 2017 applies to job filings on a BIN that had a work without permit violation within the previous year.  Professionally certified job flings at those locations must go through a Work Without Permit Review by a plan examiner. Once a filing is saved, DOB NOW will check to see if there is a hold on the BIN for Local Law 158 and provide a warning that the application will require review if submitted as a professional certification application. 

An application that requires a Work Without Permit Review will be automatically routed to a plan examiner when it is submitted.

Once a filing is saved as filing type professional certification it cannot be changed to standard plan review. To proceed with a standard plan review filing, a new application needs to be created. The application that was rejected needs to be withdrawn and then a refund can be requested.

If one of the following exceptions applies, enter the applicable exception reason in the Comments field of the PW1 Plan/Work section and upload supporting documentation as “LL158/2017 Pro Cert Supporting Documentation”: (1) The work without a permit violation that resulted in the professional certification restriction was on a part of the building that is not owned by the building owner; or (2) one of the following L2 reasons: BFP, ECB, EWG, EWP, EXP1, EXP2, GOV, TPT, SAPW. If your request for an exception is denied, a new application must be submitted as standard plan.

Yes, the pro cert restriction applies. Pro cert restriction is unrelated to the civil penalties.

The LL 158/17 doubling of civil penalties applies up to the maximum. For example, a commercial property that owes $8,000 in civil penalties would have their civil penalties doubled up to $15,000. Doubling of $8,000 is $16,000 but the maximum penalty that can be imposed is $15,000 so only $15,000 civil penalties will apply.

A Site Safety Plan (SSP) may be required for General Construction (GC), Structural (ST), Foundation (FO), Support of Excavation (SOE) and Earthwork (EA) filings. EA filings only require a site safety plan with sub-categories Soil and Excavation. 

Any registered DOB NOW user can make a Site Safety request.

A site safety waiver is not a form. It is a request made in DOB NOW. To submit a waiver of site safety requirement, go to the Job Filings Dashboard screen, click on Requests and then select Site Safety. Select request type Site Safety Waiver.

No documents are required. The reasons for the waiver request are entered in the Comments section of the request. On the Documents tab, it shows a Site Safety Waiver – CSC Waiver Letter. This is not a required document; the request can be submitted without a document.

If the job was created in DOB NOW before December 28, 2020 or the job was created in eFiling/BIS and requires a Site Safety Plan, submit the SSP by email to the Construction Safety Compliance Unit at cscplanexam@buildings.nyc.gov.

Currently, the Site Safety request can only be created and submitted after the job filing is approved. The Site Safety plans or waiver must be approved before a work permit can be requested. For a professional certified job, the work permit (PW2) cannot be submitted at the same time as the application (PW1) if the filing is flagged for a site safety requirement. In the future, DOB NOW will be changed so that a Site Safety request can be submitted at the same time as completing the job filing.

It can take up to 24 hours for the site safety determination to be made on a job after it is approved. A report is run in the system every night and once the determination is made, a site safety plan/waiver can be submitted or the permit can be created without it.

Request a waiver when the filing in DOB NOW triggers a site safety plan requirement in error. To request a waiver, reduction or modification of requirements of the site safety monitoring program, submit a completed CCD1 form to ccd1const-safety@buildings.nyc.gov. The determination request must address the content of BC 3310.11 and is subject to the review fees of the Administrative Code and 1 RCNY 101-03. 

No, the owner information on the Site Safety request is automatically populated from the owner information provided on the job filing (PW1). If the owner information needs to be changed, submit a request to supersede the owner on the job filing to the help form at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.

If the Applicant needs to update the Site Safety Plan after it has been approved, select Update Approved Site Safety from the Action column for the filing or from the TPP dashboard. Make changes as appropriate, and then Save and Submit. The update must be approved by DOB.

No, the only option is to submit a Site Safety Plan for plan examiner review. 

Full demolition is still filed in BIS so an SSP for a full demolition continues to be emailed to the Construction Safety Compliance unit for review.

The plans cannot be viewed in the DOB NOW public portal. Only the stakeholders on the filing can log into DOB NOW and view the plans.

The requirements have not changed.

There is no change to the determinations process. Submit a completed CCD1 form to ccd1const-safety@buildings.nyc.gov. The determination request must address the content of BC 3310.11 and is subject to the review fees of the Administrative Code and 1 RCNY 101-03. 

If the owner section of the application (PW1) indicates that there are occupied dwelling units in the building, then a TPP is required. The TPP cannot be waived if there are occupied dwelling units. The TPP must be approved before a permit application can be submitted.

Currently, TPPs are not required in DOB NOW for Temporary Construction Equipment (fence, sidewalk shed and supported scaffold), curb cuts, signs, electrical nor Limited Alteration Application (LAA) filings. For temporary construction equipment, the TPP is submitted with the associated alteration filings.

Yes, a TPP is required for applicable work types if the home is occupied. The TPP can be prepared by the applicant of record instead of the architect or engineer retained by the applicant of the permit.

If the owner section of the application (PW1) indicates that there are occupied dwelling units in the building, then a TPP is required. The TPP cannot be waived if there are occupied dwelling units.

A registered design professional (Registered Architect or Professional Engineer) submits a TPP. The RA/PE does not need to be a stakeholder on the filing (PW1).

The Tenant Protection Plan is listed in the Document section of filings created in DOB NOW before December 28, 2020, and a TPP1 form is required to be uploaded before plan approval.

Currently, the TPP review request can only be created and submitted after the job filing is approved. The TPP must be approved before a work permit can be requested. For professionally certified jobs, the work permit (PW2) cannot be submitted at the same time as the PW1 if there is a TPP requirement on the filing. In the future, DOB NOW will be changed so that a TPP review request can be submitted at the same time as completing the job filing.

The contractor (permit applicant) is responsible for retaining the registered design professional who requests the TPP. For one- or two- family homes, the applicant of record of the job filing (PW1) can request the TPP.

Yes, every filing needs a TPP. A subsequent filing requires a TPP because scope of work is being added.

A TPP is not required but an OPP (Occupant Protection Plan) might be necessary. If an OPP is required, it is not filed with DOB but must be made available at the work site.

No, the owner information on the TPP request is automatically populated from the owner information provided on the job filing (PW1). If the owner information needs to be changed, submit a request to supersede the owner on the job filing to the help form at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.

The only document that is required is a DPL-1 form if the applicant of the TPP request is different from the applicant on the job filing (PW1). The TPP request replaces the TPP1 form and the form should not be uploaded in DOB NOW. Any supporting documents including plans and drawings can be uploaded in the Documents section, using the Additional Supporting Documents tab, above the Documents tab. Plans and drawings are not required but can be included to explain a complex Tenant Protection Plan.

The reasons will be included in an email notification sent to the applicant and owner. The applicant of the TPP request and owner can also log into DOB NOW and open the TPP request from their dashboard. A QA Failed Reasons tab will appear on the left menu under the Documents tab. The QA Failed reasons need to be addressed and then the applicant needs to resubmit the TPP request for it to be reviewed again by DOB.

For jobs created in DOB NOW prior to December 28, 2020 or BIS jobs that required uploading a TPP1, use the Occupant Notice template. The Occupant Notice is pre-populated in DOB NOW for jobs created after December 28, 2020. The permit applicant can print the notice after the permit is approved from the Filing Action column on the permit dashboard. See page 33 of the TPP Training Presentation for more information.

Log into DOB NOW and open the job either from the Job Filings dashboard or use the Search option to locate the job by number or BIN.  Select the Tenant Protection Plan tab on the job, open the TPP request and then select the View Request button to generate a PDF version of the request.

The Tenant Protection Plan information can be viewed in the DOB NOW Public Portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow by searching by address or job number. From the Property Profile page, select BUILD: Job Filings and view the job filing. If the job was created prior to December 28, 2020, the Tenant Protection Plan will be listed under the Documents section. If the job was created December 28, 2020 or later, Tenant Protection Plan will be a section on the Filing Details page.

If the Applicant needs to update the TPP after it has been approved, select Update Approved TPP from the Action column for the filing or from the TPP dashboard. Make changes as appropriate, and then Save and Submit. The update must be approved by DOB.

The current service level is 3 business days or less.

Only the Applicant of the Approved TPP can submit a TPP Update by navigating to the TPP request from the dashboard or job filing and selecting Update Approved TPP from the Filing Action column.

Submit the notification in DOB NOW. From the dashboard, select +Notifications and then Tenant Protection Plan 72 Hour. To change the work start date, cancel the prior notification by going to the Tenant Protection Plan 72 Hour Notifications dashboard and selecting the trash can icon from the Action column.

Work on floors can be changed with a PAA. The PW3 must all be updated to include the increase or decrease in the estimated work cost.

For minor plan changes for jobs after approval, submit a Post Approval Amendment (PAA) in DOB NOW. Upload as a single PDF a full plan set and include an AI1: Additional Information form as the last page that specifies that the submission is part of a PAA and identifies the plan changes. Include a description of the changes in the Comments section of the Plans/Work tab (PW1).

A complete plan set needs to be uploaded if any change is being made to the plans. Submit the new, unapproved sheets with no stamp and include the already approved sheets with the existing, approved stamp. The plan set uploaded for the PAA will replace the plan set for the filing. If no changes are being made to the plans, then a new plan set does not need to be uploaded with the PAA.

Yes.  If the cost/scope of the job changes resulting in additional fees, the PAA will collect those automatically and payment must be made online before submitting the PAA.

No. Owner changes are done through a supersede request. The new owner can log into DOB NOW: Build, Search by Job Number, and from the Filing Action select Supersede and then Owner. Select the Owner Type and then Save the request. If the owner type is not fee exempt, select the Pay Now button to pay the $100 fee. Then the Applicant of the job needs to log into DOB NOW and complete the Statements & Signature section. Then the new owner can also complete the Statements & Signature section and Submit the request.  

Yes, in DOB NOW the questions on the Owner’s Attestation section can be changed with a PAA so the owner must provide a signature again in this section to submit the PAA.

OT/GC filings in D status or later by December 23, 2020 and Alt-1 or NB jobs in D status or later by February 26, 2021 will continue to be processed in BIS. PAAs on existing BIS filings will continue to be filed in BIS.

Subsequent filings can be initiated and submitted after the initial job filing is submitted (not in pre-filing status). Users no longer have to wait until the initial filing is approved. A subsequent filing can be submitted anytime until an LOC has been issued for the initial filing.

Yes, an LOC needs to be requested for each filing, initial and subsequent filings.

Yes, initial and subsequent jobs can have different filing types.

Yes, the applicant on an initial filing and a subsequent filing can be different. If the applicant is the same, one application can be submitted if the work types are eligible to be combine filed.

No, the $165 record management fee is now charged only once on the initial filing and is no longer a fee on subsequent filings.

Yes.

Post-Approval Amendments (PAA) are not allowed on filings that include legalization work. If a change needs to be made, a subsequent filing will be required or the job must be withdrawn and refiled. For Boiler Equipment filings the only option is to withdraw and refile the job. In addition, permits cannot be renewed if the job includes legalization work.

If the job is in Permit Entire status and all requirements have been completed, select Request LOC from the Filing Action column for the job filing on the dashboard.  

The owner or applicant of record can request an LOC. Once the LOC is approved it can be viewed by anyone in the DOB NOW public portal (without logging in).

• The application must be in Permit Entire status.
• Cost Affidavit (PW3): Final Cost Details must be verified.
• All documents must be submitted.
• The Final Technical Report inspection has been certified (if applicable).
• All permits have been inspected and are in Signed-off status.
• All AHV Permits are in an approved status.

Even if the final cost is the same as estimated cost, details need to be added to the Final Cost Details section. Select +Add to complete the table with Category of Work, Description of Work, etc.

Signed Off is a status for the permits on a job filing. LOC Issued is for the job (once all work types are signed off). Complete is the final status of electrical jobs.

A permit needs to be issued for each work type and each permit on a job filing needs to be signed-off first (a Pass/Final inspection or certified TR Final).

Open the job from the dashboard and select the Print Letter of Completion button on the top of the screen. The LOC will also be emailed to the stakeholders on the filing when it is issued.

1. Download and complete a withdrawal request template letter and save it to your desktop.
2. Go to www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp and fill out the form, selecting Module Build and Question Category Request Supersede or Withdrawal.
3. Select Withdrawal as the Question Subcategory.
4. Enter your DOB NOW: Build job filing number as the Reference Number.
5. Upload the completed withdrawal letter in the Supporting Information Upload section by clicking Browse and selecting the letter that you saved to your desktop.
6. Enter your name, phone and email address, and click Send.

The user that is requesting to be withdrawn can log into DOB NOW: Build and from the Job Filings dashboard, select the Withdrawal option under Filing Action.

The Owner or Applicant of Record (PE/RA) can submit a withdrawal request on the filing (PW1). The Owner or Contractor can submit a withdrawal request on the permit (PW2).  The stakeholder (AOR/Contractor/Owner) who initiates the request will automatically be identified as the Requestor of the withdrawal request. A filing representative cannot create the withdrawal request.

Withdrawing a contractor means you are removing and not replacing the contractor at the same time. By doing a permit renewal with change, the contractor is withdrawn and superseded by a new contractor in one transaction.

Only the requestor needs to attest on the request.

Only the requestor needs to complete the Statements & Signatures section on a request to withdraw a contractor. If the contractor is the requestor, the owner does not need to attest.

For applicant (PE/RA/contractor) withdrawal requests submitted in DOB NOW, an inspection is not required. Requests to withdraw the job filing that are submitted through the help form require a withdrawal inspection if the filing indicates that DOB is performing the inspection. If the job indicates that the registered design professional is performing the final inspection (formerly called Directive 14 and there is Final on the Technical Report tab of the filing), then a withdrawal inspection is not required.

If there is not an applicant of record or contractor on the job, then work must stop.

No. A request to withdraw or supersede the Applicant of Record (PE/RA) can only be submitted in DOB NOW after a permit has been issued on the filing. To withdraw or supersede the Applicant of Record on a filing that does not have a permit, use the Help Form to submit the request at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp. A withdrawal or supersede request cannot be submitted for jobs that have a Letter of Completion (LOC).

Stop Work Orders are not removed as part of the withdrawal process. To rescind a stop work order, continue to contact the Construction Enforcement Inspections unit in the borough that the property is located.

To withdraw the entire job filing (not just the applicant), submit a withdrawal request to the help form at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.

The initial job can be withdrawn even if there are subsequent job filings associated with it. If the subsequent job filings need to be withdrawn, separate withdrawal requests are required.

When the request is submitted, the job filing status will change to "On Hold-Pending Withdrawal of Applicant of Record/Contractor".  All stakeholders will be sent emails informing them of the change.  If withdrawal of the Applicant of Record is approved, the filing status will change to "On Hold-Applicant of Record Withdrawn". If withdrawal of the Contractor is approved, the filing status will change to "Stop Work-Contractor Withdrawn".  Work cannot proceed and additional action cannot be taken on the filing until the withdrawn stakeholder is replaced. 

PAAs in-progress on the job filing will be updated to display the withdrawn user as the previous stakeholder in the application highlights.  Any PAAs that were previously approved before the withdrawal of the Applicant of Record will not be changed.

Anyone who is eligible to be the Applicant of Record on the job filing can create the supersede request.  The owner needs to attest to the supersede request.

A supersede letter should not be submitted. Instead, the new contractor should renew the permit in DOB NOW: Build. Search for the job number on the dashboard and from the Filing Action column, select View Work Permits. Then from the Filing Acton column for the work permit, select Renew Permit. In the permit application Reason for Filing section, select Renew Permit with changes. Complete the application, pay the $100 renewal fee and submit.

No, only the applicant of record or owner can initiate withdrawal or supersede of an applicant or contractor once the permit has been issued in DOB NOW.

Plans are required unless all work is already completed in accordance with plans and PAA and the supersede request is submitted for administrative reasons only.

If the withdrawal request is rejected, the job filing will revert to the original job filing status.  All stakeholders will receive an email informing them of the change in status. A rejected request cannot be resubmitted. To proceed with another withdrawal request, the Applicant of Record, Contractor or Owner must submit a new request.

A withdrawal request cannot be initiated if a superseding request or another withdrawal request is in progress on the same job filing.

DOB NOW: Inspections will not allow users to schedule inspections on a permit when the status is "On Hold-Pending Contractor Withdrawal” or if the filing status is “On-Hold Pending Applicant Withdrawal” or “On-Hold Pending Applicant Supersede”. If an inspection was requested prior to the withdrawal or supersede request and is awaiting DOB decision, the inspection will be performed as scheduled.

Select the Supersede option under Filing Action on the DOB NOW job filings dashboard.

1. Download and complete a superseding request letter and save it to your desktop. If you are superseding the inspector, you will also need to provide a DPL-1 form for the new inspector. All licensees that are being added to the filing require a DPL-1 form.
2. Go to www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp and fill out the form, selecting Module Build and Question Category Request Supersede or Withdrawal.
3. Select Supersede as the Question Subcategory.
4. Enter your DOB NOW: Build job filing number as the Reference Number.
5. Upload the completed supersede letter (and DPL-1 form, if required) in the Supporting Information Upload section by clicking Browse and selecting the file that you saved to your desktop.
6. Enter your name, phone and email address, and click Send.

The superintendent can be changed by doing a permit renewal with change.

Send an email to csuper@buildings.nyc.gov to request to withdraw a construction superintendent that is no longer needed on a work permit. This is to remove the construction super from the permit. To remove the construction safety requirement from the application, submit a Site Safety Waiver in DOB NOW.

No, a letter from the owner is not required to do a permit renewal with change in DOB NOW.

Submit a withdrawal letter at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp to withdraw an entire permit.

The reason for rejection will be included in the email notification sent to the requestor of the withdrawal request and can also be found in DOB NOW on the Trace History tab of the request.

No further work can happen until a new permit is issued to a new contractor.

Yes, to submit a request in DOB NOW to supersede the applicant of record or owner on a job filing after a permit has been issued, a fee of $100 must be paid unless the filing is fee-exempt. There are no fees for withdrawal requests in DOB NOW.

The latest version of Google Chrome is the preferred browser for using DOB NOW.

No. Only jobs submitted in DOB NOW: Build will appear in DOB NOW: Build.

You will not be able to schedule an inspection until all of your outstanding actions (an open PAA, a withdrawal or a supersede request) are approved in DOB NOW: Build.

No. Currently, only email addresses associated with the filing receive DOB NOW: Build email notifications.

Visit the DOB NOW training page at www.nyc.gov/dobnowtraining.

A filing can be deleted by the applicant if the filing has not been paid for and is in Pre-Filing status. From the applicant’s dashboard, scroll to the right to the Filing Actions field (next to Payment). Select Delete from the dropdown menu. If the filing has been paid for or is in another status, see the Supersede and Withdrawal section for more information.

To appeal the affirmation of an objection and request a second review of plan examination, submit an AI1 form and all supporting documentation in one PDF to the email address of the borough where the property is located as listed in the Determinations Fact Sheet.

Unless the job is Affordable Housing or Fee Deferred, the job cannot be filed in eFiling/BIS and must be filed in DOB NOW. Affordable Housing jobs continue to be filed at the Development Hub and Fee Deferred jobs are dropped off at a Borough Office.

Each bullet below is separate, e.g. currently Plumbing cannot be combine filed with General Construction, etc.

Plumbing (PL), Sprinkler (SP), Standpipe (SD)

Sidewalk Shed (SH), Supported Scaffold (SF), Fence (FN)

General Construction* (GC), Foundation (FO), Earthwork (EA), Mechanical Systems (MS), Structural (ST) *GC must be included to combine file these work types

Support of Excavation (SOE) and Protection and Mechanical Methods (PMM)

Foundation (FO) and Earthwork (EA)

All new fire alarm applications are filed at FDNY, and not the Department of Buildings.

No, continue to submit solar panel tax abatement applications to the Hub.

Continue to file subdivision condominium (SC) applications in BIS.

Full demolition applications continue to be filed in BIS and are dropped off at a borough office.

Jobs in DOB NOW do not currently expire and do not require reinstatement.

Enter the sequence number like you would in a Schedule of Occupancy. If there is just one Penthouse in the building, enter sequence number 1 in both the From: and To: fields. Sequence numbers should also be entered for Sub-Cellars.

No, the PC1 is included in the attestation under the Statement and Signatures tab on the application.

Under Additional Information, provide the floor area affected by the proposed scope of work. For façades, provide the total area of the scope of work. This information is collected for alteration applications but does not have any impact on filing fees.

Select Other, not 1-2 family home. Only for a violation is a condo or co-op considered a 1-2 family home.

Select new installation filing if there was no boiler in the location that the new boiler is being installed or the filing is to register an unregistered boiler. Select modification if there is a part replacement or upgrade to a component. Only one work type category can be selected on a filing.

It is a temporary number given to a device and is for system tracking only until the work permit is issued. It is not a device number.

No. DOB NOW is the system of record for filings submitted in DOB NOW. BIS will maintain historical data of filings that were submitted before September 3, 2019.

If the information is not editable, submit an inquiry at www.nyc.gov/dobnowhelp.

A maximum of 10 devices can be filed/added to the same Job Filing. Ten new Boilers can be installed, along with 10 new associated Fuel Burners and 10 new associated Fuel Storage tanks. All Boiler devices on the same Job Filing must have the same Proposed Information.

On the List of Boiler Equipment first select the Boiler Energy Source and then select the + button above Device Details.

On the left navigation bar, select the Tracking Number under Boilers. In the Proposed Information section there are fields to enter the Chimney/Vent Information.

A paper Schedule C form should not be submitted in DOB NOW. The information that was on the Schedule C form is now data entered in the application directly in the Scope of Work section.

These are separate work types in DOB NOW. You can connect these filings by submitting one work type as an initial application and the second work type as a subsequent filing. After the initial filing is submitted, a subsequent filing can be created and both applications will have the same parent job number.

No, an oil burner replacement is done by the Oil Burner Installer (OBI) as a Boiler Equipment (BE) or Limited Alteration Application (LAA) filing in DOB NOW.

You can reference the job number that registered or legalized the boiler or you can file as a new boiler.

Submit a Boiler Equipment/Fuel Storage application and select/identify the other type of equipment. Provide a detailed description of the scope of work in order to avoid any confusion at the time of inspection.

No, you must file a new or subsequent boiler application.

A device cannot be removed with a PAA. The applicant can leave the boiler record on the filing and then when it comes time for inspection, have the inspector put the boiler that was never installed straight into 'Void' status.  The plans should be updated on the PAA to show the accurate number of boilers with a note about the boiler that needs to be voided.

A design professional, licensed installer, Insurance Company Boiler Inspector or Stationary/Mobile Engineer can file a Boiler Removal Notification (OP49).

From the DOB NOW dashboard, select “+Boiler Removal Notification”. See page 115 of this presentation for more information.

File an OP49 when a boiler has been permanently disconnected or removed and is not being replaced by another boiler to supply heat to the same building. A job (permit) application also must be filed for one of the following:

• the permanent capping and removal (PL or OT) of all connections to the boiler; or
• job plans showing the installation of a different type of heating appliance, such as a Heating Ventilation (HVAC) system.

Below are the most common reasons an OP49 is rejected:

• A DPL-1 Form was not uploaded. This document is required for all license types except for Stationary/Mobile Engineers and Insurance Company Boiler Inspectors.
• The correct owner’s or owner representative’s eFiling account was not entered on the filing.
• A cap and removal or replacement heating appliance installation job application number was omitted.
• The provided Job application number either does not support or conflicts with the stated reason why the boiler device record should be deactivated.
• The incorrect “Type of Inspection Conducted” was selected.
• The boiler device has not actually been removed and is instead claimed to be non-jurisdictional; in such cases an OP49 is not appropriate.
• An incorrect inspection date was entered.
• There is an outstanding Boiler Replacement or Boiler Installation job which was never signed off. Most of the time, the DOB Boiler Technical Unit must either pass a First Test for the boiler or verify removal on an incomplete boiler job. In some instances, a withdrawal application may be required. Please contact the Boilers Unit at 212-393-2661 or BoilerTechnical@buildings.nyc.gov if you have questions concerning a removed boiler and an open boiler job application.

In DOB NOW: Build, OP49 Type of Inspection Conducted definitions are the same as the Boiler Disposition Types found in Section 4B of the paper form.  Below are the definitions. (Time is not the determining factor for any of these).

• Disconnection: All piping, fuel burner, electrical, flue and applicable oil fuel tank connections have been properly and legally severed and capped, however the physical boiler device remains on the premises.
• Removal – A disconnection AND the physical boiler has been completely removed from the premises. The same licensee who performed the actions must complete the OP49 inspection/attestation.
• Post Disconnection/ Removal Inspection – The physical boiler was previously disconnected or removed by someone other than the licensee who has performed the inspection and who is completing the OP49 attestation. For example, if Plumber X already removed the boiler and Architect Y inspects the location and completes an OP49, then that constitutes a Post Disconnection/ Removal inspection. The amount of time between the two events is irrelevant for this purpose. This is a very common scenario and not to be confused with Non-Existing below.
• Non-Existing – There was never a distinct, physical boiler on the location to match the device number showing in BIS or DOB NOW. An example is when a historical device number was unnecessarily created due to a boiler replacement permit. The same location/BIN may show duplicate device numbers distinguishable only by an N or Y, such as 40000123456N0001 and 40000123456Y0001. If such device numbers represent the same physical boiler (because one of those numbers was created in error) then the incorrect device number may be filed on an OP49 as Non-Existing.
• Non-Existing is often mistaken to mean “does not exist at the time of inspection.” But usually, the more appropriate choice is Post Disconnection/Removal Inspection above because the location once had a boiler that was physically removed by someone besides the licensee who is now inspecting the location and completing the OP49.

All OP49s require a supporting job application. Although filed in DOB NOW: Build, an OP49 is a notification to deactivate a boiler record and does not function like a permit. The applicant and owner must still provide supporting job applications because the Administrative Code stipulates that the underlying work associated with boiler, burner and fuel oil tank disconnection be legally permitted and approved by the Department. In such cases, at minimum a plumbing work type is required to show such code-related work even when no other type of heating device (HVAC, etc.) will replace the boiler.

In cases where the gas/fuel oil piping and/or electrical wiring are being repurposed for a different form of heat such as a gas furnace or forced air system, then it is not necessary to provide a cap and removal job, as long as the licensed applicant lists the job application numbers for the new heating equipment. However, job signoff will still be required in most cases.

The Boilers QA Team will update the OP49 status to Pending Inspection (signoff), provided that all other OP49 information is complete and accurate. Once the supporting job is signed off, submit an inquiry at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp and provide the job number and signoff/completion date. In many cases, a plumbing signoff showing cap and removal of the boiler and other fixtures will suffice. PL work types can be signed off well in advance of final scope of work sign off.

Once an OP49 is rejected in DOB NOW: Build, it cannot be resubmitted. If an OP49 is still required, then the applicant must create and submit a new filing.

If a rejected OP49 is the only reason for CO disapproval, submit an inquiry at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp to request assistance.

No. The Boiler Removal Notification (OP49) in DOB NOW: Build is only for deactivating jurisdictional boilers that have been permanently disconnected or removed. Non-jurisdictional boilers that heat single apartments in mixed-use or multi-dwelling buildings, or any boilers under the 100K BTUH threshold in all buildings except for 1-5 Family non-SRO dwellings, require verification by the DOB Boilers Unit prior to device record deactivation. To notify the Department of a non-jurisdictional boiler, submit an inquiry at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp and attach a photo of the H-stamped boiler rating plate. Also provide the full name, telephone number and best times to reach a contact person who can give the Boiler Technical Unit access to the device in case a DOB site visit is required.

Concrete can be a part of the following work types: Structural (ST), Foundation (FO), Earthwork (EA) and Support of Excavation (SOE).

For SOE filings, concrete only applies when Tangent/Secant Piles is selected as a subcategory in the PW1.

When Concrete is selected in the scope of work, a flat concrete fee of $390 is added to the cost and must be paid before the filing is submitted. Currently this applies even if the TR2 or TR3 are waived. The fee is waived for fee exempt owners.

No. The TR2 Lab Director must be different from the TR3 Lab Director.

On the Concrete Scope of Work section, the following question must first be answered as Yes.

Is the proposed total concrete placement less than 50 cubic yards? Yes

Then, to waive the TR2 and TR3, answer the following question as Yes:

Are you proportioning your concrete without field experience or trial mixtures? Yes

The below selections will waive the TR2 only:

Are you proportioning your concrete without field experience or trial mixtures? No

Would you like to waive the requirement for testing of fresh concrete sampling (TR2)? Yes

There is no option to waive only the TR3.

To waive the TR2/TR3 after the job is approved, submit a PAA to change the Concrete Scope of Work questions.

If not waived, Concrete Design Mix (TR3) will be available under the Technical Report tab after the filing is in approved status.

The Concrete Testing Lab on the TR2 submits the report in the Test Report section on the TR2 tab by scrolling to the right and selecting the upload button for a Tracking Number. The TR2 tab is populated with the Tracking Numbers from the TR3 tab. Only one test report is required to be uploaded for one Tracking Number on the TR2; other mixes can remain on the TR2 without a test report. The design applicant and owner can view the report that was uploaded by the concrete testing lab by selecting the upload/Submitted button for the Tracking Number. An option will be provided to View the report.

A mix within a tracking number can be deleted by a stakeholder on the TR3 if the Concrete Testing Lab Director has not completed the attestation on the TR3. If the attestation has been completed but the job is not yet in LOC status, another mix can be added by creating a new tracking number (selecting +Concrete Design Mix). Only one test report is required to be uploaded on one tracking number on the TR2; other tracking numbers/mixes can remain on the TR2 without a test report. Changes to the TR3 can be made without a PAA but changes cannot be made while a PAA is in progress.

The applicant and owner complete the Statements & Signature section on the TR2 prior to plan approval. The Concrete Testing Lab must be identified by the applicant or filing representative before the permit can be submitted. The Concrete Testing Lab needs to log into DOB NOW and complete the Statements & Signature section on the TR2.

Only one concrete producer can be added to a filing in DOB NOW. If there are multiple concrete producers, then separate filings are needed.

This status means that the Borough Commissioner or Deputy Borough Commissioner examined the exception report and raised objections. The Applicant’s TR2 attestations will be cleared. The Applicant may need to upload a new Exception Report and re-certify or upload new mixes in the TR3 and provide new Test Results in the TR2 and re-certify. Once the TR2 is certified without exceptions or the Exception Report is approved, the LOC can be requested.

A Concrete Safety Manager is required for Structural, Foundation, Earthwork and Support of Excavation jobs when Concrete is selected as a work type subcategory and on the associated work permit application, the requestor selects yes to the question that the approved work includes 2000 cubic yards or more of concrete. Then the Concrete Safety Manager needs to log into DOB NOW to complete the Statement and Signature section before the permit can be submitted.

A question on the work permit application asks if the applicant of record for the work permit is also performing the concrete work. If no is selected, then a concrete subcontractor section appears to enter the email address of the additional contractor. This additional contractor needs to log into DOB NOW to complete the Statement and Signature section before the permit can be submitted.

Permits issued in DOB NOW indicate the scope of work but do not have a separate banner indicating concrete work.

Suspended scaffold is not in DOB NOW.  Continue to use the CD5 paper form.

The EA work type includes all earthwork: Excavation, Landscape, Sitework (Grading and fill), Soil Improvement, Soil Improvements and Underpinning.

Earthwork includes Excavation, Landscape, Sitework (Grading and fill), Soil Improvement, Soil Improvements and Underpinning. Support of Excavation includes Berming/Sloping/Benching, Ground Freezing, Shoring/Bracing, Slurry Shaft/Wall, Soil Grouting/Improvement/Mixing, Tangent/Secant Piles, Tie backs and Anchors.

No, only the FO work type is required, see AC28-105.2. The FO work type is for the construction or alteration of foundations, including earthwork, excavation, fill, and foundation insulation necessary. The EA work type is for work solely involving earthwork, excavation, or fill operations.

Note per AC28-105.2.1, that prior to the issuance of any permit for work that includes foundations and/or earthwork, a temporary construction permit with the support of excavation work type clearly illustrating support of excavation design, including but not limited to stepping, sheeting, sloping, shoring, and bracing, and any protective railings or equipment required by chapter 33 of the New York City building code shall be required.

The contractor (work permit applicant) submits the Earthwork notification.

The notification can be submitted any time after the job is approved.

DOB NOW was updated on May 17, 2021 to include notifications for BIS jobs. From the DOB NOW dashboard, select +Notifications and then Earthwork.

Your filing status will move to complete after your job has passed inspection and all the fees (including parts fees) are paid.

Electrical permits renew automatically. If a permit expired due to lapsed insurance, update your insurance with the DOB Licensing Unit by emailing a scanned PDF of your insurance certificate to electricianinsurance@buildings.nyc.gov. Every night the DOB NOW system checks the job end date and the insurance expiration dates. If the job is still ongoing and the insurance has not expired, the status of the permit will remain Permit Issued.

There is no supersede process for electrical permits. A new contractor must create a new electrical permit.

The Electrical Advisory Board has been eliminated. Electrical installation review will be performed by the DOB Electrical Plan Review (EPR) team. Once a filing has been approved, submit an Electrical Permit Application via DOB NOW and enter the approval number in the Job Description field.

Submit a Post Approval Amendment (PAA) to an electrical filing in DOB NOW: Build when you are working on the same floor or increasing or decreasing materials. Submit a Subsequent Electrical filing when you are changing the scope of work that includes working on new floors and/or changing the category of work. You can also change the applicant and owner information in a Subsequent filing. If you need to make any changes to the job location, you will need to withdraw the job and submit a new filing with the new address. For more information, see questions 6 and 8 of this guide.

Log into DOB NOW: Inspections and request a withdrawal inspection. Once the inspection is in Pass/Final status, the filing status in DOB NOW: Build will change to Cancelled.

If you are working on the same floor, increasing/decreasing materials, etc. you can file a PAA on the job in DOB NOW: Build.

The final filing status for electrical jobs in DOB NOW: Build is Complete. Once the inspection is given Pass/Final status in DOB NOW: Inspections, and the job is paid in full, the filing status in DOB NOW: Build will be changed to Complete. DOB NOW: Build is the system of record for electrical filings. The status in DOB NOW: Inspections will remain Pass/Final. If there is a PAA, the PAA Filing Status will remain Approved.

if your electrical application is associated with a construction project, search for the job number or BIN and create a subsequent filing. If your electrical application is not associated with a construction project, answer no to the questions provided to create an initial filing. For step-by-step instructions, see this guide: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/dob_now_build_electrical.pdf.

Currently, if yes is selected to the CO related question, only a BIS job number can be entered. If the CO related job is in DOB NOW, create the electrical application as a subsequent filing and select no to the CO related question so that you can proceed. The data provided is informational only and will not affect the sign off of the electrical application.

Questions were added for the expansion of DOB NOW on March 1, 2021 that includes New Building and Alt-CO (formerly Alt-1) job types. The electrical and elevator applications have not changed. See the Electrical How To and Elevator How To for instructions on how to create an initial filing.

Submit the sign-off request in DOB NOW: Inspections. See the manual for instructions.

Contact Electrical Inspections (Development) and provide both the BIS and DOB NOW job numbers. If the scope of both jobs match, then the unit will administratively close the BIS filing.

How do I request an AHV permit for an electrical job?

If the electrical job that you want to file an AHV permit for is not associated with a DOB NOW or BIS job filing, you will need to fill out a paper PW5 and submit it in-person at the appropriate borough office. If the electrical permit is associated with a BIS or DOB NOW job filing, submit the AHV request under that job and enter the DOB NOW electrical job number in the Description of Work field.

The parts fee for an electrical filing is billed to an electrician's firm account. If there is an issue with the firm account, this will affect the filing status of the permit in DOB NOW: Build. Visit the Electrical Firm Accounts page for more information, including how to check your account balance or dispute a transaction.

To print an electrical work permit, go to your dashboard and locate the Filing Action field (on the far right, after Payment Status). In the Filing Action field, click the Select Action dropdown and select Print Work Permit. On the confirm screen, click Yes. The permit can then be printed using your browser's print option. Detailed instructions for how to print a work permit can be found starting on page 112 of this presentation: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/dob_now_build_electrical_presentation.pdf.

An approved elevator agency director/co-director submits an Elevator job application in DOB NOW: Build.

File a New Installation application in DOB NOW: Build. A device number will be provided once the plan examiner approves the filing. The status of the device will be Work in Progress until the device has passed the first test performed by a DOB inspector.

Yes. A licensed electrician submits a filing for an electrical permit in DOB NOW: Build.

If there is an open permit/application for this device and you need the flag lifted, submit an inquiry with your device number at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp.

The owner type determines if a filing is fee exempt. Only the Private owner type requires fees to be paid. If Private Tax Exempt is selected in error and the filing is QA Failed, the filing must be withdrawn and refiled.

Enter the total square footage of the elevator shafts and the number of stories in the building.

A private residence elevator by code can be installed either in a private residence building or in other buildings where it would serve a private residence only and not be accessible to the general public or to other occupants of the building. Upload a notarized letter from the owner that this elevator will serve a private residence and will not be accessible to other occupants of the building.

Fill out the Withdrawal or Supersede letter and submit the request to the DOB NOW help form at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp.

Submit a supersede request to the DOB NOW help form at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp.

No. Any job filled before that change of business name must be superseded.

Contact the Borough Commissioner’s Office. The Elevator Unit does not put properties on hold.

When filing the elevator permit, indicate the OATH/ECB violation number that you are filing to remove in the scope of the work section. The Plan examiner will review and send an objection with the amount due. Payment is made at 280 Broadway, Manhattan on the first floor.

For BIS jobs, use the DOB NOW help form at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp, select the following:

Module: DOB NOW: Build

Project/Filing Type: Elevators

Question Category: Elevator Temp/Final CO Signoff

For DOB NOW jobs, use the Filing Action menu on the Job Filings dashboard or the Elevator Occupancy Sign Off tab within the New Building or Alt-CO filing. See the May 2022 Service Notice for more information.

The final status of a submitted EWN filing in DOB NOW: Build is Received. An EWN in received status is all that is required to proceed with the emergency work. The purpose of an EWN is to notify the Department of Buildings that work is taking place in an emergency situation where an issue needs to be addressed right away. It is not a permit. Once the entire scope of work is known, the next step is to file an LAA permit to complete the work.

If the applicant does not know the entire scope of work or is awaiting support documentation, a new EWN can be filed. This will generate a new EWN number. The other option is that the applicant may file an LAA with a Post Approval Amendment to follow once the full scope of work has been determined. All related EWN numbers need to be included when submitting an LAA in DOB NOW: Build.

The 2-business day EWN time-period will start the next full business day after the EWN is submitted and in Received status. For example, if an EWN was submitted in DOB NOW on Monday at 8:00 a.m. then the 2-day time-period will start on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. and will expire on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. An email is sent after two full business days to notify the applicant that the EWN has expired.

Yes, EWNs are listed in the DOB NOW Public Portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. Search by address and then select BUILD: Job Filings at the bottom of the screen. If an EWN has been submitted for this address it will be listed in this section with a job number beginning with EWN and the status will be Received.

Once the applicant has submitted an EWN and it is in Received status, an email notification will automatically be sent confirming that the EWN has been received. The applicant can print this email from DOB NOW and post it at the job site.

The FO work type is for all foundation work, which includes: Deep, Retaining Wall, Shallow, Tie

Backs and Anchors, Underpinning and Other.

All underpinning work is filed under Foundation (FO) since it includes digging. If Underpinning is selected, then no other subcategory can be selected, and no other work type can be included in the filing.

If Underpinning is selected, then no other subcategory can be selected, and no other work type can be included in the filing.

No, Earthwork and Foundation are separate work types.

Currently each work type needs its own plan set. You can also file an AI1 in place of the second plan set that says all elements are combined on the other plans.

They cannot be combine filed because SOE filings are reviewed by a special technical team.

Yes, an FO application is required for this work. 

Yes. If Earthwork and Foundation are combine filed with General Construction, a composite permit can only be pulled if the contractor is the same for all three work types. Support of Excavation cannot be combine filed with Foundation, Earthwork or General Construction and requires a separate application and permit.

A system update is being made to require only one TR4 document called TR4 Test Report and Plot Diagram. Currently there are two documents, TR4 Plot Diagram and TR4 Test Report. The paper TR4 form can be uploaded or another report that includes a diagram to satisfy both required documents until the system update is made.

For all job types other than New Buildings, GC includes: Construction, Chimney, Façade, Enlargement.

A General Construction (GC) application can be combine filed with Foundation (FO), Structural (ST), Earthwork (EA) and Mechanical Systems (MS). GC can be combine filed with any or all of these work types.

The work types that can be combined with a GC filing are Foundation, Structural, Earthwork and Mechanical Systems. A Plumbing filing can only be combine filed with a Sprinkler or Standpipe filing. Either the GC or Plumbing application can be filed as an initial filing and then the other work type can be filed as a subsequent filing. A plumbing filing cannot be combine filed with a GC filing because the permits are pulled by different license types.

General Construction and temporary construction equipment (sidewalk shed, fence, supported scaffold) work types include a question on the section called Filing Includes to indicate whether the Department of Buildings or a registered design professional will perform the final inspection (formerly Directive 14). If RDP is selected then a Final is added to the Progress Inspection Categories on the Technical Report tab of the filing. See the February 2020 Service Notice and Buildings Bulletin 2020-011 for more information.

File a PAA to modify the section called Filing Includes on the PW1 in DOB NOW. If the Final inspection on the TR1 tab has already been certified or an LOC has been issued for the filing, then the Final inspection cannot be removed.

If there are multiple work types on the filing, the TR-Final will populate for those wo

Chimney work is filed under General Construction (GC).

Replacement of an existing canopy Is filing under General Construction (GC).

Façade should be selected for any façade work, not just for Local Law 11 related work, regardless of building height.

There is no OT work type in DOB NOW. File a General Construction (GC), Structural (ST), Foundation (FO), Earthwork (EA) or Support of Excavation (SOE) job in DOB NOW.

The General Construction (GC) work type in DOB NOW includes these job types. After selecting the work type GC, then choose one of these subcategories: Construction, Chimney, Façade or Enlargement.

Marquee and BPP are not included in GC at this time. They will be added to DOB NOW in the future.

Architectural filing is not a DOB work type but the term is usually interchangeable with a General Construction (GC) filing.

Submit minor non-structural work as work type General Construction (GC) in DOB NOW. If structural special inspections are needed then the Structural (ST) work type must also be selected.

If the job is stair replacement only, without associated GC work, it may be filed as ST only.

If the job includes structural work, work type Structural (ST) must be selected in DOB NOW. An ST job can be combine filed with a General Construction (GC) job but ST must be selected as a separate work type in order to add the necessary Technical Reports (special inspections). A job can have more than one structural application if there are different applicants and different scopes of work.

Yes, file them in DOB NOW as work type GC. If a Certificate of Compliance is required, the job must be filed as work type Mechanical Systems (MS) and can be combine filed with a GC application.

No, if you are doing a combined filing, the Applicant must be the same for all work types.

File the job as the General Construction (GC) work type. Since the structure is for an ongoing use, a Temporary Use Permit per AC 28-111 is not applicable. When a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is requested, DOB will add an exception with an annual renewal date for the building’s roof with air-supported structure.

The form is not submitted in DOB NOW. The questions from the DS1 are included in the Scope of Work section for Structural (ST) filings when partial demolition is selected. Plans for partial demolition that are not prepared by the Applicant of Record should be uploaded to the filing under Additional Supporting Documents.

File an Alteration GC job for the construction of the temporary office and once inspected and passed, drop off the Temporary Use Permit request at a borough office for Borough Commissioner review.

Only a Licensed Master Plumber, Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor or Licensed Oil Burner Installer can be the applicant on an LAA filing. You need an active eFiling account specific to your license number for the information to populate.

To submit a filing and change it from a pre-filing status, the applicant needs to click Preview to File on the top left corner of the screen to review the file. Then click Next to review until the final page is reached. On this page there is a check box that needs to be clicked to confirm the application. Then click File to submit the filing. For more information, see page 37 here:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/build_laa_step_by_step_guide.pdf. The permit will then be available to print from the Filing Action tab on the main dashboard.

The status of an uploaded document(s) in the Required Documents section will stay Pending until the job filing is submitted to DOB. Once the job is Filed, the document status will be updated to Submitted.

In a DOB NOW: Build LAA filing for gas test/gas piping repair and piping work, use the below selections:

Limited Alteration Scope: Gas Plumbing Work
Filing includes: Replacement
Item Category: Piping or Gas work
Item type: Gas Piping or Gas Repair

In the Proposed Work Summary indicate the equipment/appliance(s) that are being tested, repaired or replaced. Only the types of gas usages that are being tested should be selected in the Scope of Work tab.

The applicant should provide the total area of the building in the Total construction floor area field. The NYC Construction Codes require this information to determine filing fees but for LAAs the square footage has no impact.

Yes, you can enter up to 5 violation numbers in the ECB violation # field, separating each one with a semi-colon (;). You will not be able to enter more than one if you separate them with a comma (,).

To submit an oil to gas conversion in DOB NOW: Build for LAA filings, use the below selections:

Limited Alteration Scope: Gas Plumbing Work

Filing includes: Replacement

Item Category: Equipment/Appliance

Item type: indicate Gas Boiler, Gas Water Heater etc.

An LAA permit may be renewed within one year of the expiration date. If the LAA has expired more than one year, perform the following:

• File a new application,
• Include the expired LAA job number in the Proposed Work Summary,
• Provide a full work proposal.

To pay the Work Without Permit civil penalty, send a fee assessment email request to DOBNOWLAAL2@buildings.nyc.gov. A response will be sent with the applicable civil penalty fees due and further instructions will also be provided in an electronic notification. To submit a waiver request of a Work Without Permit violation, an L2 Civil Penalty Review Request must be electronically submitted through DOB NOW: Build. Use the DOB NOW: Build L2 Process guide for step-by-step instructions.

PAAs can be filed at any time before Signoff has been initiated. PAAs may not be filed for a Legalization filing or when an audit is in progress (unless the status is Permitted – Corrections Requested).

To create a withdrawal request, log into DOB NOW, search for the LAA job number that is in Permitted status and select the Withdrawal option from the Filing Action column. A withdrawal request can only be submitted by the applicant of the permit for a new job filing (not a post approval amendment). In the request, the applicant must select one of these reasons:

• Contractor withdrawing (only allowed if no work has been performed)

• Work included on another LAA filing (requires LAA job number with same BIN and scope of work)
• Wrong address (requires LAA job number filed on correct address with the same scope of work)

A withdrawal inspection is no longer required. If work has been performed on the LAA permit,

the permit can only be withdrawn if another LAA job number is provided that includes the same

work of the withdrawn permit or the permit must be superseded by a new contractor.

To create a withdrawal request, log into DOB NOW, search for the LAA job number that is in Permitted status and select the Withdrawal option from the Filing Action column. The superseding applicant must be logged into DOB NOW to create the supersede request. There is a $100 fee to process the request. If the LAA filing has been withdrawn, a supersede request cannot be created for that permit.

An LAA job for the same scope of work must be signed off in DOB NOW to close out the BIS job. Then a request can be made to administratively close the BIS job at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. Select Module: DOB NOW: Build; Project/Filing Type: LAA; Question Category: LAA Administrative Closure.

The final status for LAA permits in DOB NOW: Build is Signed Off. Once the inspection is given Pass/Final status in DOB NOW: Inspections, the permit status in DOB NOW: Build will be changed 24 hours later to Signed Off. The status in DOB NOW: Inspections will remain Pass/Final. If there is a PAA, the PAA Filing Status will remain Approved.

The applicant will have 10 days to respond to the auditor’s objections. If the applicant does not respond within this time frame, then the filing will be automatically placed into Intent to Revoke status.

The applicant has 15 days to respond to the auditor when it is in this audit status. If the applicant does not respond within this time frame, then the permit will automatically be placed in Revoked status.

From your dashboard in DOB NOW: Build, select the filing and click on the Intent to Revoke tab that will appear as a new tab option below the Statement and Signatures tab.

You must file a PAA and pay the $100 PAA fee along with any fees associated with a change to the Scope of Work that would increase the job cost. You will only be required to file one PAA per audit.

Yes, you may continue with the work because the permit has not been revoked nor have any Stop Work Orders been issued.

DOB NOW: Inspections receives updates from DOB NOW: Build overnight so it may take up to 24 hours for your filing to appear in Inspections after it has been permitted in the Build system.

The updated work summary information from the PAA will not appear in DOB NOW: Inspections. DOB NOW: Build is the system of record for DOB NOW LAA jobs and DOB staff are trained to view DOB NOW: Build and DOB NOW: Inspections to verify information about a filing.

No, you cannot schedule an inspection in DOB NOW: Inspections until the audit is closed.

According to §28-116.4.1: A certificate of compliance shall not be required in connection with work specifically exempted from permit requirements in accordance with this code or department rules. See RCNY 101-14 for exemptions.

File a Post Approval Amendment (PAA) if it is a DOB NOW job. If your PA is in BIS and you want to file a PAA, continue to do this at the borough office.

Yes, the FDNY process has not changed.

Yes. DOB will be internally verifying that a C of O has been attained before approving.

Enter that the associated job number is “pre-BIS,” and include a comment on the filing explaining why there is no NB/A1 # and the examiner will evaluate.

Once the DOB Inspections are completed and the status is Pass-Final, the applicant can request the PACO or the TPACO from the Filing Action column of the Job Filings dashboard.

Submit a TPA request at least 10 business days before the start of the event to avoid late fees of $100 per day it is late.

Yes.

If the job is in Pending Assignment status, yes. If it is review status, you will have to wait until the examiner completes the review and change what needs to be changed when the filing goes in objection status. If the job is approved, submit a PAA to make the change.

A supersede request can be submitted for the progress inspector at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp.

Yes.

No, submit the Flame Spread letter in DOB NOW: Inspections.

Submit the number of fireguards in the application and if plan examiners have any issues with it, they will raise an objection.

Yes.

The floor(s) listed on the plans must match the Work on Floor(s) Location provided in the DOB NOW: Build application and the Schedule A/Schedule of Occupancy of the NB/A1/Alt CO Job # Establishing Place of Assembly.

If, for example, the event is 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., enter the first day as 9 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Then enter a second day as 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. If the event is recurring and spans more than one day, enter the time as 12 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and include in the comments section the details about the event time.

Yes, a PACO cannot be obtained if there is not a current Pass/Final inspection after the PAA is approved.

The work types that can be combine filed with a GC filing are Foundation, Structural, Earthwork and Mechanical Systems. A Plumbing filing can only be combine filed with a Sprinkler or Standpipe filing. Either the GC or Plumbing application can be filed as an initial filing and then the other work type can be filed as a subsequent filing. A plumbing filing cannot be combine filed with a GC filing because the permits are pulled by different license types.

Currently a work type cannot be withdrawn from a combined filing. The whole filing would need to be withdrawn and a new application created.

If the number of sprinkler heads exceeds 30, you may file a new sprinkler filing or a subsequent to the plumbing filing. 

A secondary permit is generated when a new permit is created from the Filing Action column or added within the PW2 section by selecting +Add. To renew the permit, select Renew Permit from the Filing Acton column for the work permit. If a secondary permit is issued, an inspection needs to be requested for that permit for it to be signed off.

From the Filing Acton column for the work permit, select Renew Permit.

Do not create a new secondary permit, instead, renew the permit with changes. From the Filing Acton column for the work permit, select Renew Permit. Under the General Information section under Reason for Filing, select Renew Permit with changes and check the box of the Stakeholder(s) you would like to change. Enter the new applicant in the Applicant Information section.

Inspections are requested in DOB Now: Inspections. See DOB NOW: Inspections Resources for more information.

Requests for sign off for a TCO is requested in DOB NOW: Inspections. See the Electrical and Plumbing – Requesting Sign Off for Temporary or Final Certificate of Occupancy guide for step-by-step instructions.

No, only the applicant of record (registered architect or engineer) can request the final plumbing sign off on the job record in DOB NOW: Inspections. See the Electrical and Plumbing – Requesting Sign Off for Temporary or Final Certificate of Occupancy guide for step-by-step instructions.

The final inspection for the plumbing work type is performed by the Department of Buildings. For more information, see Buildings Bulletin 2018-008. After the permit is signed-off in DOB NOW: Inspections and the permit shows as signed-off in DOB NOW: Build, the applicant or owner can request a Letter of Completion in DOB NOW: Build.

For general inquires or assistance with DOB NOW: Build you may submit your inquiry at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. For technical or inspection inquires, contact the Plumbing Inspections Development Unit in the borough where the property is located.

PMM includes all protection and mechanical methods: Chute, Cocoon, Hoisting Equipment, Mechanical Demolition Equipment, Platform, Roof Overhead Protection, Roof Protection and Other. Any work that requires a temporary construction equipment permit other than Sidewalk Shed (SH), Construction Fence (FN), Supported Scaffold (SF), Support of Excavation (SE) should be a PMM work type. Any alteration work other than temporary construction equipment work should be filed in as a General Construction (GC) work type.

It can be filed as part of a General Construction (GC) filing if the architect is taking responsibility for it; however, if there is a separate structural engineer, then it should be filed as a Structural (ST) application.

File a Protection & Mechanical Methods (PMM) filing in DOB NOW.

A construction hoist is for materials and is filed under the PMM work type. If the hoist is for people, it is filed under the Elevators work type in DOB NOW.

The SOE work type includes all support of excavation work: Berming/Sloping/Benching, Ground Freezing, Shoring/Bracing, Slurry Shaft/Wall, Soil Grouting/Improvement/Mixing, Tangent/Secant Piles, Tie backs and Anchors and Other. It includes work associated with New Buildings (NB), except for 1/2/3 family NBs.

No, SOE and EA are separate work types.

Underpinning is an alteration filing for the new permanent foundation under the building being underpinned. SOE is a temporary construction installation permit for work that is, as described in the permit type, temporary in nature to hold back earth temporarily until a permanent installation is in place.

Each NB should have FO and ST work types that may be combine filed with the General Construction (GC) in the initial application if the applicant is the same or filed as subsequent filings to the GC work type.

File a separate NB filing for each, as preferred by DOB, Borough Presidents and the FDNY. The building and garage need separate BIN numbers in order to create separate NB filings. For all construction, there can only be one new building on a BIN.

Only one NB job can be in progress at a time on a BIN.  However, more than one Alteration-CO or Alteration can be in progress at the same time on a BIN.

If the job is in D status in BIS by February 26, 2021 it can continue in BIS. If not, it will need to be resubmitted in DOB NOW.

The application must be complete in order to be submitted, including all documents required prior to approval. You can request waiver or deferral of the documents at the same time the application is submitted. See the Waiver and Deferral Document Request List to determine if a document can be waived or deferred.

The job types in DOB NOW are Alteration or Alteration-CO (alterations that impact Certificate of Occupancy). Alt-2 and Alt-3 in BIS are Alteration in DOB NOW and Alt-1 in BIS is Alteration-CO in DOB NOW.

See Buildings Bulletin 2016-012 for clarification. If there is full demolition of an existing building, a New Building application must be filed.

When creating a new filing in DOB NOW and Alteration is selected, answer yes to the question: Alteration required to meet New Building requirements? This will indicate that the Job Type is Alt-CO – New Building with Existing Elements to Remain. See Buildings Bulletin 2016-012 for clarification about this job type.

When a filing is first created in DOB NOW: Build, the answers to the initial questions determine whether a job will be an Alteration, Alteration-CO or a New Building. Once the job is saved for the first time, these selections cannot be changed. If the job filing type needs to be changed after the job has been submitted, the filing needs to be withdrawn and a new filing created.

System updates were made on November 8, 2021 to better accommodate open space applications. An Alt-CO application is required for open lot filings such as a cellular monopole antenna.

Not applicable was added as a dropdown option for the following Zoning Information, Building Characteristics fields:

Primary structure system of the building

Structural Occupancy/Risk Category

Seismic Design Category

Occupancy Classification

Construction Classification

Mixed use building?

Building was originally erected pursuant to which Building Code?

The value of 0 can be entered for the following fields:

Existing (sq. ft)

Proposed additional (sq. ft)

Proposed reduction (sq. ft)

Maximum Permitted Floor Area Ratio

Maximum Permitted Floor Area

Not applicable was also added as a dropdown option for Occupancy Classification in the Schedule of Occupancy. If N/A is selected, Occupancy Group and Description of Use default to N/A. A Building Code year needs to be selected first for these options to be available.

Further changes are needed to the below fields that will be made in a later system update. For now, please use the following workaround:

Enter .01 for the fields on the PW1 under Additional Information including:

Total Construction Floor Area

Total Building Square Footage

Enter 1 for the below fields on the Zoning Information, Building Characteristics:

Build Stories as defined in the Building Code

Building Footprint

Prior code buildings need to be upgraded to comply with modern seismic regulations unless scope is large enough to warrant full building upgrade.

Horizontal or vertical enlargements not impacting the Certificate of Occupancy can be filed as an Alteration, not an Alteration-CO. If there is a change in the number of stories, an Alt-CO is required.

The current code requires only major changes to be filed as Alteration-CO.  Minor changes can be filed as an Alteration, work type GC with inspection.

No, proceed with requesting the inspection. A PW6 is not required.

In DOB NOW, documents cannot be added by plan examiners. The plan examiner can issue an objection and the applicant can add an Additional Supporting Document. The required documents listed in DOB NOW are based on the business rules of the application. The selection that triggers the document needs to be changed to add the document. Sign off of the application is based on required documents only.

A Plot Diagram with TOPO stamp is required prior to approval for all NB’s and Alt-CO’s. House number assignment/verification may be granted by the Borough President’s Office after the building entrances have been constructed and are visible from the street. A House Number Verification: TOPO Stamp document is required prior to initial TCO.

No, Directive 2 is no longer available. The final inspection type is determined by work type. Changes in egress are filed as an Alteration-CO or Alteration as defined in the 2008 code:

• 28-118.3.3 Changes to exits. No building hereafter altered so as to cause a major alteration to existing exits shall be occupied or used unless and until the commissioner has issued a certificate of occupancy certifying that the alteration work for which the permit was issued has been completed substantially in accordance with the approved construction documents and the provisions of this code and other applicable laws and rules.

The plan examiner will coordinate an additional technical review if required.

No, the status of the subsequent filings will remain Permit Entire. Only the status of the initial (I1) filing will change to CO issued. If a Temporary CO is issued, the status of the initial job will remain Permit Entire until the Final CO is issued.

Do not include the second district under Zoning Districts, only list it as an overlay.

Any logged in user can initiate a Schedule of Occupancy request. Any professional engineer, registered architect or filing representative whose eFiling account is associated with their license number can submit the Schedule of Occupancy request. A filling representative registered in eFiling only as a preparer will not be able to submit. The owner whose email address is listed on the PW1 of the job filing in BIS can also submit.

One of the applicants has to take the lead and enter the information for the building. Once submitted, plan examiners will verify the information provided.

Yes, the first Building Schedule of Occupancy (BSO) needs to include all floors.

A selection for None was added to the Existing Occupancy Type drop down on April 19, 2021 so that only proposed use data needs to be entered for enlargements.

In DOB NOW, file the Schedule of Occupancy on Doc 1 to update the Building Schedule of Occupancy for the BIN.

There are three statuses: active, verified or unverified. Active means there is work proposed on the floor and the PW1 plans that triggered the Schedule of Occupancy have been approved by DOB.  Verified means no work is being performed and the floor/use has been granted by DOB. Unverified means DOB has no formal record of Occupancy for that floor.

Enter the data as Existing if the floor was included in the latest TCO that was issued for the building (even if the TCO is expired). Existing means that the floor is currently occupied. Proposed means that there is still work under a construction permit. If a TCO was issued in BIS, transpose the data from the TCO using 2014 code to the Existing description of use fields in the DOB NOW Schedule of Occupancy. Select Occupancy Type as Temporary and enter the BIS job number that was used to get the TCO as the Job Reference number.

Proceed with creating the Certificate of Occupancy request. When the CO request is approved, the proposed columns will become existing columns on the Schedule of Occupancy and the issue will be resolved. This way you can proceed without having to wait for a data fix. DOB staff are aware of the situation and will review the CO request without any issues.

For jobs with no previous TCO or CO issued, transpose the existing and proposed information from the BIS Schedule A. Translate the existing use to 2014 code unless new use is being proposed.

See the Spring 2021 Training Presentation for specific scenarios and strategies for recording floor/use.

When submitting the Schedule of Occupancy in DOB NOW, current code occupancy/use classifications are required per AC 28-118.6. For example, if Occupancy Use is J-2 under 1968 code then the applicant has to use the R-2 classification under 2014 code on the Schedule of Occupancy. This is unrelated to the selection on the PW1 of the job application that indicates Review is requested under which building code as per AC 28-101.4.3. An exception is when new use is being proposed, the existing use can be entered under the code on the BIS Schedule A or Certificate of Occupancy (1968, 2008 etc.) and does not need to be translated to 2014 code.

Enter the sequential number for the penthouse or sub-cellar. If it is the only penthouse or sub-cellar enter a 1. If there are additional penthouses or sub-cellars, enter them sequentially as 2, 3, 4 etc. This is a required field; a number must be entered to proceed.

If the BIS Schedule A has OSP listed as a floor/use then enter it as a floor/use on the BSO in DOB NOW. If the BIS Schedule A does not list the OSP as a floor/use, confirm that the OSP is mentioned on the PW1 in Sections 12 and 19 and enter details about the OSP in the CofO Comments field on the BSO. For jobs created in DOB NOW, OSP must be entered as a floor/use. Select N/A for the Occupancy Classification. If N/A is selected, Occupancy Group and Description of Use default to N/A but Description of Use comments can be added.

A Correction cannot be initiated if there is another JSO on the BIN in Pre-filing, Incomplete, Plan Examiner Review, or Objections status, or if there is a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) request for the associated JSO in Pre-filing or Project Advocate/QA Review status. A Correction is allowed if the associated CO request is in Objections status.

Can I withdraw a Job Schedule of Occupancy request?

From the Filing Action column on the dashboard, the requestor can select Withdraw when the request is in any status before the JSO is Approved. The withdrawal is auto-approved without DOB review.

Both applicants could start creating a pre-filing request but will be stopped from submitting if one is already submitted.

JSO is the first step. Once the JSO is created, BSO is established from it. Each new JSO updates the BSO automatically. Only one JSO can be submitted at a time. Existing uses are based on the Final CO and/or if the application for which JSO is being created has a TCO, on the latest TCO. 

Each applicant submits a Job Schedule of Occupancy (JSO) for their own application. Existing uses are based on the Final CO. Applications will be added to the BSO as each applies for a CO in DOB NOW.

Create the Schedule of Occupancy under the job for the house. In the CofO comments section indicate that there is a garage. A separate Schedule of Occupancy does not need to be filed for the separate garage job filing, and DOB will allow and issue a CO without requiring a separate BIN for the garage. This an interim solution. Once the garage obtains a separate BIN and has its own CO, the primary CO may be revised to update the CofO comments. If the two jobs are for two separate buildings, a TBIN has to be requested for one of the buildings. A BIN can only be associated with one new building.

Yes, the JSO can create the BSO in DOB NOW. This is all that is needed for a TCO.  For the Final CO, an open applications waiver will be needed, same as was done in BIS prior to the DOB NOW release. 

No. If the Schedule A in BIS is incorrect, submit a PAA in eFiling to amend the BIS Schedule A. Once the PAA is approved, then file the Schedule of Occupancy in DOB NOW. BIS is the system record for the BIS filing. DOB NOW is the system only to issue the CO for this application.

To submit a correction to an Approved Job Schedule of Occupancy (JSO), select +Schedule of Occupancy for BIS Job and then Correction from the DOB NOW: Build dashboard. Submit a correction to update the JSO, which includes updates related to a Schedule A that has been amended in BIS. Any logged in user with an eFiling account associated to a license/registration number can submit a correction. See the May 2021 Service Notice for more information.

No drawings are required.

There are no fees for a Schedule of Occupancy (but there are fees for Certificates of Occupancy).

Enter the CofO comments on the existing Schedule A or final Certificate of Occupancy. New comments cannot be added if they are not previously shown on an approved Schedule A.

If a TCO has been issued, the new use will show in the existing conditions.  If no TCO has been issued, then previous use will have to show until a DOB-approved occupancy has been issued.

Any professional engineer, registered architect or filing representative whose eFiling account is associated with their license number can submit the Schedule of Occupancy request. The owner whose email address is listed on the PW1 of the job filing in BIS can also submit.

The lead applicant, whoever filed the schedule A under Doc #1, submits the Job Schedule of Occupancy (JSO). Only the Certificate of Occupancy is requested in DOB NOW. The job continues in BIS, including filing PAAs etc. If a PAA affects the Schedule A, then another JSO is needed. Otherwise, everything is in BIS.

Fill out the Schedule of Occupancy to the best of your ability and you can record the existing use as unverified. Supporting documents may also be uploaded, e.g. HPD I-cards.

Enter the NB/Alt1 application number (e.g. Alt 989-1964) that established the CO and not the CO number. Sometimes the application number is on the second page of the CO.

In DOB NOW, each occupancy/floor combination for each tower must be recorded in a separate row. Enter details in the Description of Use Comments field to designate each tower.

Yes, e.g. Office, Storage, Education, Residential, etc.  Each type of occupancy on a floor is a separate floor/use record on the Schedule of Occupancy (SO).  The SO will feed into the Certificate of Occupancy when the work is completed.

All space of the same Occupancy Group on one floor, irrespective of their ownership/tenancy, are combined into a single floor/use record. For example, there are 3 retails stores on the first floor, with occupancy 30, 20 and 50 persons respectively. The 3 stores are combined into a single record and their number of occupants are added up (100).  Applicants may use column 5 (Description of Use Comments) to add clarification or additional information, but it is advisable to keep the record as generic as possible (e.g. do not list corridors, electrical closets, etc.).

Create a single floor/use record and select the Occupancy Group of the most intensive use (highest hazard/most people). In the Description of Use comments enter text about all uses.

If a hoist exclusion is indicated on a TCO in BIS, the Schedule A from BIS (not the TCO) should be used to create the Schedule of Occupancy in DOB NOW so that the full number of apartments on the floor are listed. The applicant should not add floor level restrictions/exceptions on the JSO for existing or proposed fields. Information about exclusions that are not on the BSO can be included in the comments field of the CO request. When the CO request is submitted, the project advocate will review the last issued TCO and apply any exclusions. 

Borough Comments are entered by DOB staff only and should not be entered by the applicant on Schedule of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy requests.

Submit the Schedule of Occupancy in DOB NOW based on the updated Schedule A in BIS.

No.  Only one selection can be made but comments can be entered to clarify.

All dwelling units on one floor are within one occupancy group by default.  If two different residential occupancy groups exist on one floor, e.g. R-2 and R-1, then dwelling units are grouped by the relevant occupancy group.

Record a duplex/triplex dwelling unit using decimals. For example, record a duplex as 0.5 or a triplex as 0.33. Do not record them as 1/2 or 1/3.

First file an Alt-1 no work applicant in BIS. Once that is approved, then create the Schedule of Occupancy in DOB NOW.

Changes can be made to the same floor but not to the same use. Only one application for floor/occupancy row is allowed.

A floor/use is marked with a blue flag when it is on the Building Schedule of Occupancy (BSO). The floor/use is marked with a red flag if it is part of the Job Schedule of Occupancy (JSO) being viewed.

Schedule of Occupancy appears as a tab under Scope of Work for New Buildings or Alteration-CO initial job filings or PAAs in DOB NOW: Build. If there is no SO for a building, the applicant is required to complete an SO for the entire building. An approved Schedule of Occupancy can also be viewed from the public portal. Search by address or BIN and select the More Options button on the top right corner of the Property Profile page.

All submissions, both for standard plan and professional certification jobs, are reviewed and verified by DOB plan examiners.

The first step is submission of a Schedule of Occupancy (formerly Schedule A) in DOB NOW by selecting +Schedule of Occupancy for BIS Job from the dashboard. The first Job Schedule of Occupancy (JSO) approved creates the Building Scheduling of Occupancy (BSO). Once there is an approved BSO, an occupancy request can be created in DOB NOW. A JSO needs to be submitted for every PAA filed in BIS that affects the Schedule of Occupancy. Once the JSO is approved it will automatically update the BSO.

All occupancy requests on or after March 1, 2021 must be submitted in DOB NOW.

If a Schedule of Occupancy or Certificate of Occupancy request was submitted in DOB NOW prior to the expiration date of the TCO that was issued in BIS, an email is being sent from a DOB Borough Commissioner granting a 90-day extension of the TCO two days in advance of the TCO expiration date. See the March 2021 Service Notice.

At least one of the floor/uses on the Approved Schedule of Occupancy needs to be in Verified or Active status and the Existing Occupancy Use cannot be Final. If the JSO was approved with an error, submit a help desk ticket at www.nyc.gov/dobhelp. 

An initial certificate of occupancy or a renewal without change is $100. An interim CO is $130. A renewal with change is $200. There is no fee for a final Certificate of Occupancy. If the DOB NOW or BIS job number that is used to create the Certificate of Occupancy request is fee exempt, then the CO request will also be fee exempt.

When a CO request is created, users enter themselves as the Requestor. Only Requestors are able to take action on the request and see the request on their dashboards. The Applicant section is auto-populated from the job information in BIS. Applicants cannot take action on the CO request unless they are added to the Requestor field.

A Certificate of Occupancy Worksheet is required for Core and Shell, TCO-initial and TCO-renewal with change. The document appears on all request types, but the system does not require the document to be submitted. Any additional supporting documents can be uploaded in the Documents section by selecting +Add New Document. All supporting documents required for sign-off of the BIS job are uploaded in eSubmit, not in the DOB NOW occupancy request.

Upload a report certifying the partial completion of the TR in the DOB NOW Certificate of Occupancy request. On the Document tab of the CO request, select +Add and the document name TR Partial Completion Certification. Upload reports as separate documents if the request includes more than one partial TR.

The option to create an initial CO request is provided only if all floors on the Building Schedule of Occupancy are Active.  Select TCO with Change to proceed with a request that includes Active and Temporary floors. DOB NOW looks at the CO for the BIN not just the job as was as the process in BIS.

The PW7 form will no longer be submitted. BIS items still must be uploaded via eSubmit. The required items will be received/reviewed at time of Certificate of Occupancy request in DOB NOW.

Yes, submit the PW6 form via eSubmit.

These signs off remain in BIS required items. The process has not changed. Any documents in support of a TCO request, i.e. affidavits etc. that are submitted in TCO-Supporting Documents today, are uploaded in DOB NOW.

Only include the floors to be added in the TCO request. The CO will print all floors.

Floors that already have final occupancy will not appear on the CO request but they will show on the CO pdf when it is issued.

If you are omitting a floor from the renewal request, it is a TCO renewal with change request. Operations staff cannot remove floors from a TCO renewal without change request.

On the Certificate of Occupancy tab change the question “Is this a Final Certificate of Occupancy Request?” to No and then change it back to Yes. This will prompt the system to repopulate the floors/uses back into the request.

No, and Core and Shell occupancy is available per Borough Commissioner approval only.

No, this is a Temporary CO. An Interim CO is only when the whole floor is completed. See Local Law 6 of 2021 for qualifying buildings.

Currently the CofO comments on the Schedule of Occupancy are not showing on the CO request but the comments will print on the Certificate of Occupancy when it is approved. A system update is being made so that the comments will show in the request.

If the Certificate of Occupancy (temporary, interim or final) was issued in DOB NOW (all CO requests after March 1, 2021) then it can be printed from the DOB NOW public portal at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. Search by address or BIN. From the Property Profile page, select the More Options button on the top right corner and select Certificate of Occupancy. 

From the Filing Action column on the dashboard, the requestor can select Withdraw when the request is in any status before the CO request is CO Issued. The withdrawal is auto-approved without DOB review.

Interim occupancy is for an entire floor where all uses on the floor have passed all required inspections and met all other occupancy requirements. It does not require renewal. See Local Law 6 of 2021 for qualifying buildings. Partial occupancy is for part of a floor or several floors of qualifying pre-1938 buildings. Partial CO can be issued for a floor or floors of qualifying pre-1938 buildings without a CO per 28-118.20.

No, these will be in the DOB NOW public portal. BIS has a message directing users to DOB NOW for COs issued after March 1, 2021.

­Floors can get a TCO or an Interim CO with open violations or applications that do not impact safe occupancy on these floors.  For Final CO, all open applications and violations must be closed out, or an open application/violation waiver approved by Project Advocates/ Borough Commissioner/Deputy Borough Commissioner.

When the first Al1 is ready for Final, you can only apply for interim or temporary occupancy for applicable floor/uses.  When the last Alt1 is ready for final occupancy and if it has been more than 18 months since interim occupancy was issued for the first Alt1, reinspection will not be required for floors with interim status.  However, if a separate job requires a construction update, the inspectors may reinspect some things on those floors as part of a whole-building update, such as egress or elevators, shared by other floors.

Continue to file the no work job in eFiling/BIS that is dropped off at the borough office.  Borough Commissioner approval is not needed. When it is time to obtain occupancy, then make the request in DOB NOW. If construction work is taking place, the job must be filed in DOB NOW as an Alteration-CO.

For CO requests for DOB NOW jobs, the GC applicant on the associated permit needs to be entered into the CO request and provide an attestation. This is the same information that was provided previously on the PW6 Statement of Compliance. The requirement is for initial and renewal with change CO requests. The GC information is optional on CO requests for BIS jobs.

A TBIN is created when there is already an existing BIN and the applicant wants to file plans to demolish an existing building and build a brand new one in its place, or the address entered on the PW1 does not exist because either the address is not found for the building, the lot is vacant, the BIN is obsolete or the BIN is a dummy BIN.  If the applicant tries filing a PW1 with an invalid address, DOB NOW: Build will not allow the filing to be saved. 

Log into DOB NOW and from the dashboard select the +Request button and Temporary BIN.  Complete all required information and submit the request. All TBIN requests are required to be submitted in DOB NOW.

Submit confirmation of address from the topographical bureau at the appropriate Borough President's Office and the PD-1 (Plot Diagram Form) stamped and signed by the Borough President.