Infrastructure

Street Works Permits

Street and Construction Permits

Temporary Procedures due to Hurricane Sandy

The DOT Central Permit Office at 55 Water Street is not in service. The Central Permit Office has been temporarily relocated to 30-30 Thomson Avenue (2nd Floor), Queens, New York (212-839-2265). Aside from Manhattan, borough permit offices continue to operate normally.
To help New York City businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Bloomberg signed an executive order directing City agencies to waive various fees required for rebuilding, recovery and operation of these businesses until further notice. Learn more about eligibility for a permit fee waiver or refund
Commercial Refuse Containers – As of December 1, 2012, permits are required citywide, with the exception of the following areas: All areas located in Hurricane Flood Zone A in the boroughs of Brooklyn (Red Hook, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island), Manhattan, Queens (including the Rockaway Peninsula) and Staten Island. View a map of City flood zones Login to apply for a container permit
Emergency Generators and Boilers - Only registered permittees should fax the DOT Central Permit Office at 718-391-3631 or 718-391-3405 from 7:30 am to 3:25 pm Monday to Friday, or call the DOT Communications Center, 718-433-3340 after 3:30 pm Monday to Friday, and provide emergency information for the request. A reference number or a temporary emergency permit to immediately place the equipment will be issued. Applicants must follow up with standard permits when operations normalize. Temporary generators/boilers shall not be placed on highways, no standing anytime, no stopping, authorized parking zones, bus stops or driveways. Applicants must follow up with standard permits when operations normalize. Applicants with over-dimensional vehicles must also submit a proposed route along with axle weights, axle spacing and vehicle dimensions to DRoses@dot.nyc.gov and KLobat@dot.nyc.gov to obtain travel approval.
Cranes must have all necessary approvals through NYC Department of Buildings.

Street Works Manual

DOT publishes the Street Works Manual, a resource for everyone that performs work in New York City streets, from utilities and contractors installing, replacing and repairing underground infrastructure to developers replacing roadways and sidewalks adjacent to building sites and homeowners performing their own sidewalk repairs. The manual covers advance planning of construction projects, all construction-related DOT permits, and how and when to obtain these permits Visit the Street Works Manual

DOT issues over 150 different types of sidewalk and roadway construction permits to utilities, contractors, government agencies and homeowners. Permits cover activities such as street openings, sidewalk construction and installing canopies over sidewalks. Apply for a street or sidewalk construction permit Request a confirmation number for a protected street permit Check the status of active street construction permits Download a brochure on Excavation Safety Alerts (pdf) Learn about reducing emissions (Local Law 77)

Plans and Guidelines for Sidewalks, Curbs, and Roadways

Owners developing property are required to have a sidewalk, curb and paved roadway along the public right-of-way abutting the property. The Instructions for Filing Plans and Guidelines for the Design of Sidewalks, Curbs, Roadways and Other Infrastructure Components (pdf) describe the documentation that must be submitted to the satisfaction of DOT.

Commercial Refuse Container Permits

DOT requires carting companies to obtain a permit for each commercial refuse container placed on a city street. The commercial refuse container permit allows DOT to track placement of containers, preventing conflicts with scheduled construction work or special events. This permit requirement does not apply to containers used for construction activity for which a separate DOT or Department of Buildings permit is required. Login to apply for a permit Learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions

Construction Embargoes & Protected Streets

If DOT declares a construction embargo, only emergency work may be performed in the affected area during the embargo. List of embargoes

Streets that have been resurfaced or reconstructed in the last five years are protected from street openings, except for emergency work. DOT publishes future protected streets to assist in planning work. Current list of protected streets

Permit Enforcement

DOT enforces the laws and rules that govern the way utilities, plumbers, contractors, other governmental agencies, and property owners perform work on the City's sidewalks, roadways and highways. DOT's inspectors also review work sites for compliance with permit stipulations, and issue violations when they find non-compliance with the laws and rules. Learn more

Overdimensional Permits

DOT issues permits that allow overdimensional vehicles to travel on New York City streets. Learn more about truck restrictions and permits

NYC Business Owners Bill of Rights

The City of New York provides certain rights to business owners regarding customer service, permits and inspections. Learn more