Service Updates

REMINDER: Concrete Safety Managers, Construction Managers, Superintendents, and Project Managers Should Maintain Best Practices to Prevent Structural Damage to Concrete During Cold Weather Placement
Cold weather concreting practices must be instituted when the average daily air temperature is less than 40° F for more than 3 consecutive days or when the air temperature is 50° F or less for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

Structurally Compromised Building Report Filing Process
Owners of buildings that are potentially structurally compromised are required by Article 217 of the New York City Administrative Code to hire a New York State licensed design professional to inspect the structure within 60 days of the building becoming structurally compromised and file a report with the Department of Buildings within 30 days after the inspection.

Annual Inspections and Tests for Boilers and Elevators Must be Performed by December 31, 2022
High-pressure and low-pressure boilers are required to have annual inspections, and elevators are required to have periodic inspections and Category 1 tests, between January 1 and December 31 each year. The annual inspections, periodic inspections, and Category 1 tests for 2022 must be performed by December 31, 2022.

Follow up #1: Temporary Construction Equipment No Longer Requires a Final Inspection
A TR1 for Final Inspection is no longer required for EQ – Construction Equipment work types in BIS (Chute, Fence, Supported Scaffold, Sidewalk Shed, Support of Excavation, etc.) See Local Law 146 of 2021.

2022 Construction Codes: Fee Changes for BIS Jobs
Beginning Wednesday, November 23, 2022, the following fee changes are effective in the Buildings Information System (BIS).

Follow up #1: Buildings After Hours Cancelled at Brooklyn Borough Office
Buildings After Hours is cancelled on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at the Brooklyn Borough Office only. Buildings After Hours will take place in all other borough offices from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

2022 Construction Codes: Revised PW1 Plan/Work Application Form
The PW1: Plan/Work Application form has been updated to include the 2022 Construction Codes. The new form will have the following changes and additions.

Local Law 40 of 2021: Work Disturbing Lead Paint or Paint of Unknown Lead Content
Beginning November 14, 2022, applicants for permits for work that will disturb lead paint or paint of unknown lead content will be required to provide these information.

Articulating Boom Cranes and Telehandlers
The Department of Buildings is currently drafting rules to implement provisions of the 2022 Building Code concerning articulating boom cranes and telehandlers. Until the rules are enacted, the requirements of the 2014 Building Code for articulating boom cranes and telehandlers will continue to be enforced.

Redesigned DOB NOW Includes New Zoning Challenge Tool
On November 7, 2022, DOB NOW will have a new front page with a streamlined layout for easier navigation and better display on mobile devices. The page will include a new Building on My Block/Zoning Challenge tool.

2022 Construction Codes: New Special Inspections; New Required Documents; Fee Changes
Job filings submitted in DOB NOW on or after November 7, 2022, may require new Special Inspections and new Required Documents to comply with the 2022 Construction Codes. In addition, certain fees related to these filings will change.

In-Person Review of Certificate of Correction Requests
Beginning Wednesday, November 2, 2022, the Administrative Enforcement Unit will accept walk-in customers at 280 Broadway, 1st Floor for assistance with Certificate of Correction requests that have been submitted online in DOB NOW: BIS Options.

2022 Construction Codes: Construction Superintendent Not Required on 1-, 2- or 3-Family Buildings
The 2022 Construction Codes, which take effect November 7, 2022, provide that new building, enlargement, major alteration (AltCO), and demolition jobs on 1-, 2-, or 3-family buildings do not require a Construction Superintendent (CS) if the permit holder is registered with the NYC Department of Buildings as a General Contractor (GC). DOB will apply this provision to new building, enlargement, major alteration (AltCO), and demolition jobs on 1-, 2-, or 3-family buildings subject to the 2014 Construction Codes.

2022 Construction Codes: Site Safety Requirements for Major Building Site Safety Projects
The site safety requirements in the 2022 Construction Codes will apply to major building* site safety projects that have not submitted site safety plans to the Department of Buildings before November 7, 2022.

Temporary Construction Equipment No Longer Requires a Final Inspection
Beginning November 5, 2022, a Technical Report (TR1) - Final will no longer be required for Sidewalk Shed (SH), Construction Fence (FN), Supported Scaffold (SS) and Protection and Mechanical Means (PMM) work types in DOB NOW: Build. (See Local Law 146 of 2021.) Submission of a notification of removal will sign off the permit and complete the filing.

New Location – Brooklyn Borough Office - Click here to read this notice in your language
On Monday, November 21, 2022, the Brooklyn Borough Office will relocate to 345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor. Records requests for Brooklyn properties cannot be submitted from November 16 to November 17. No in-person plan examination appointments will occur for Brooklyn job filings November 21 through November 23.

Building Owners Required to Post Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label – Local Law 33 of 2018 as amended by Local Law 95 of 2019
No later than October 31, 2022, owners of buildings over 25,000 square feet – or multiple buildings on a lot that total 100,000 square feet or more – that appear on the NYC Benchmarking Covered Building List for Compliance in 2022 must post the Building Energy Efficiency Rating Label that includes the building’s 2021 energy efficiency grade in a conspicuous location near each public entrance to their buildings.

Traffic Control During Crawler Crane Activities
The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) and NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) will no longer be dispatched for traffic control purposes during the set up/take down of a crawler crane, laying down or jackknifing a crawler crane boom or boom/jib combination, implementation of other special protective measures to secure a crawler crane, raising a crawler crane boom or boom/jib combination from a laid down/ jackknifed position, or removing other special protective measures.

DOB to Launch Dedicated Small Business Support Portal
Two enhancements are being made to DOB’s systems on September 14, 2022, to make it easier for small business owners to work with the Department.

Department Launches Major Projects Development Program
On September 12, 2022, new functionality will be added to DOB NOW: Build for the Major Projects Development Program (MPP).

Certified Site Safety Managers and Site Safety Coordinators Can Also Hold a Construction Superintendent Registration
Effective August 14, 2022, certified Site Safety Managers (SSM) and Site Safety Coordinators (SSC) can simultaneously hold a Construction Superintendent registration. A certified SSM/SSC who registers to become a Construction Superintendent before the 2022 NYC Construction Codes go into effect on November 7, 2022, will qualify without having to demonstrate additional qualifying experience. See Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY) Sections 104-08 and 3301-02.

Supersede Owner and Add Owner Email Address Requests for BIS Jobs
A new owner can submit a Post Approval Amendment (PAA) in eFiling without the signature and seal of the Applicant of Record if the only change requested is to supersede the previous owner or add an owner’s email address (Section 26 on the PW1: Plan/Work Application).

Electrical Civil Penalty Calculations and Payments for Failure to file an Application for a Work Permit
Customers are no longer required to make electrical civil penalty payments at the Central cashier office at 280 Broadway. Instead, for the convenience of customers, beginning August 15, 2022, the Department’s Plan Examination staff in each borough office will calculate the civil penalties for electrical work without a permit. Customers can make these payments in all the borough offices where the Notice of Violation was issued.

Follow up #1: 2022 Benchmarking Compliance: Properties Impacted by Utility Data Errors Will Not Receive Violations for Failure to Meet Benchmarking Deadline
The Department of Buildings will not issue violations for failure to meet the benchmarking deadline of August 1, 2022, and will not assign ‘F’ grades, to property owners who were impacted by utility data errors that resulted during the 2021 CY benchmarking data upload.

Class 1 and Class 2 Filing Representative Registrations Will Be Issued and Renewed Without Proof of Training Completion Until Training is Available
The Department-approved training courses required to obtain and renew Class 1 and Class 2 Filing Representative registrations are not currently available. The Department of Buildings will continue to issue and renew Class 1 and Class 2 Filing Representative registrations without the required DOB-approved training course if the applicant submits a signed and notarized Class 1/Class 2 Filing Representative Future Completion of Training Courses Affidavit agreeing to take the course and submit proof of completion no later than 6 months after the course becomes available.

Updates to Site Safety Plan Submissions, Construction Superintendent Job Limitations, and Site Safety Release and Sidewalk Shed Removal Requests
Beginning July 15, 2022, site safety plans can be submitted before the job is approved and are no longer required for subsequent filings in DOB NOW. In addition, the Department of Buildings will not issue a permit if the Construction Superintendent designated on the permit application is already designated on five or more active permits. Requests to release site safety and remove sidewalk sheds are also required to be submitted in DOB NOW.

Follow-up #1: New Periodic Inspection Requirements for NYC Parking Structures
Beginning January 1, 2022, Local Law 126 of 2021 requires owners of parking structures to hire a NYS licensed professional engineer who is designated by the Department as a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) to inspect the structure at least once every six years and file a report with the Department of Buildings according to the schedule set out in 1 RCNY §103-13.

Updates to Site Safety Plan Submissions, Construction Superintendent Job Limitations, and Site Safety Release and Sidewalk Shed Removal Requests
Beginning July 15, 2022, site safety plans can be submitted before the job is approved and are no longer required for subsequent filings in DOB NOW. In addition, the Department of Buildings will not issue a permit if the Construction Superintendent designated on the permit application is already designated on five or more active permits. Requests to release site safety and remove sidewalk sheds are also required to be submitted in DOB NOW.

Immediate Revocation of Certificates of Completion and Course Completion Cards, Including Site Safety Training Cards, Issued by EHS Academy LLC
As of June 23, 2022, EHS Academy LLC’s authorization to conduct Department-approved courses is revoked and all certificates of completion for a course or course completion cards, including Site Safety Training Cards, issued by EHS Academy LLC are revoked and are no longer valid. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Lea el aviso de servicio en español.

Elevator License Types to Launch in DOB NOW: Licensing
Starting June 27, 2022, all new elevator license applications, business approvals, renewal submissions, card reissuance requests, insurance updates, and changes to information will be processed through DOB NOW: Licensing, and will no longer be available in DOB NOW: BIS Options. DOB is conducting free training sessions for new DOB NOW: Licensing users.

Record Requests Update in DOB NOW: BIS Options
Beginning Friday, June 17, 2022, DOB NOW: BIS Options is being updated to allow a maximum of 15 record requests per eFiling account. Also, an additional contact field is being added to record requests so another person can be designated to pick up the records.

Buildings After Hours
Beginning Tuesday, June 7, 2022, Department of Buildings offices will be open every Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for homeowners, tenants, small business owners, and building managers.

Document Submission Enhancements in DOB NOW: Build
On June 7, 2022, a new Prior to Filing classification is being added for Required Documents in DOB NOW: Build

2022 Benchmarking Compliance: Properties Impacted by Utility Data Errors Will Not Receive Violations for Failure to Meet Benchmarking Deadline
The Department of Buildings will not issue violations for failure to meet the benchmarking deadline of May 31, 2022, and will not assign ‘F’ grades, to property owners who were impacted by utility data errors that resulted during the 2021 CY benchmarking data upload.

Special Gowanus Mixed Use District: Gowanus Mix Use Incentive
The newly enacted Special Gowanus Mixed Use District in the NYC Zoning Resolution (ZR) contains an as-of-right incentive in Section 139-212 (the “Gowanus Mix Use incentive”). This incentive allows projects in the special district to obtain an increase in the amount of floor area ratio by dedicating floor area on the zoning lot to certain uses, known as Gowanus Mix Uses. ZR 139-212 requires that a Notice of Restrictions (NOR) be recorded against the subject tax lot in the Office of the City Register.

Elevator Sign Off for Occupancy Requests
Beginning Monday, May 23, 2022, requests for Elevator Sign Off for DOB NOW jobs are required to be submitted in DOB NOW: Build as part of the Certificate of Occupancy request.

In-Person Appointments for Standard Plan Examination Job Filings
Beginning Monday, May 16, 2022, customers have the option to attend appointments with a plan examiner in person in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island offices.

Buildings Information System (BIS) Transactions Impacted by Service Disruption
Due to a service disruption from an unexpected power outage at the City’s data center that occurred on April 29, 2022, BIS is not reflecting some transactions. DOB is working diligently to address the issue.

Disputing Payments Made by Credit Card, Cancelling Payments Made by eCheck, Check or Money Order
To dispute a payment made to the Department of Buildings (DOB), including payments for filing fees and civil penalties a refund request application must be submitted via email to the appropriate borough office or unit. 

New Customer Service Office Hours
Beginning Wednesday, May 4, 2022, all DOB customer service locations will be open to the public from 8:30am to 4:00pm for in-person and drop off transactions.

Zoning Approvals Eligible for Public Challenge for Jobs Filed in DOB NOW
A list of accepted zoning diagrams (ZD1s) for jobs submitted in DOB NOW that are eligible for public challenge is now available in the DOB NOW Public Portal. Members of the public have 45 days from the posting of the ZD1 to submit a challenge to the zoning approval of a New Building (NB) or an enlargement affecting the exterior envelope of an existing building.

Elevator and Escalator Periodic Inspection Reports
The Department of Buildings has created checklists for approved elevator agencies performing periodic inspections on elevators and escalators.

CY2021 Benchmarking Compliance Deadline Extended
The 2022 Benchmarking compliance deadline for calendar year 2021 data reporting has been extended. Property owners who were required to submit their CY2021 benchmarking information by May 1, 2022, are required to submit a fully compliant report by May 31, 2022.

Appointments for Standard Plan Examination BIS Job Filings
Appointments scheduled on or after April 20, 2022 in the DOB Appointments system will be conducted online using GoTo Meeting software and not by telephone.

Beginning February 1, 2023 Construction Sites Requiring DOB-Licensed Safety Professionals will Only Accept NYC DOB Training Connect Site Safety Training Cards
Since January 1, 2022, DOB-approved course providers have issued new Site Safety Training (SST) Cards through the NYC DOB Training Connect Platform, a web-based platform designed to streamline the process of obtaining an SST Card and drastically reduce the likelihood of fraud. All previously issued SST Cards must be replaced by a NYC DOB Training Connect SST Card by January 31, 2023.

NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Permit Required for Work Disturbing 20,000 Square Feet of Soil
Applicants for work that will result in an amount of soil disturbance greater than or equal to 20,000 square feet, or in the creation of 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, are required to submit DEP Stormwater Construction and Stormwater Maintenance Permits. This requirement is not limited to work in an MS4 Area. See Local Law 91 of 2020 and Chapter 19.1 of the Rules of the City of New York.

Site Safety Plan Submission Prior to Job Approval
Applicants can submit site safety plans for General Construction (GC) and Foundation (FO) DOB NOW jobs by email to the Department of Buildings Construction Safety Compliance (CSC) Plan Examination Unit before the job is approved, until further notice.

Elevator Technicians and Helpers are Required to be Licensed to Perform Elevator Work
Since January 1, 2022, the New York State Elevator Safety Act requires both a New York City and New York State License to perform elevator work. Two Elevator Agency Technician Licenses and an Elevator Agency Helper Registration Card are available to qualified applicants.

Follow-up #6 - Local Law 152 of 2016: Requests for Due Date Extensions to Complete Gas Piping Inspections
An amendment to Local Law 152 of 2016 allows building owners to receive a 180-day extension of the due date for the inspection of the building’s gas piping system and submission of the GPS2: Gas Piping System Periodic Inspection Certification form to the Department of Buildings. See Local Law 138 of 2021.

Temporary Amusement Device Inspection Requests to be Submitted to the Department of Buildings in DOB NOW: Safety
Beginning March 18, 2022, requests for inspections of temporary amusement devices must be submitted to the NYC Department of Buildings in DOB NOW: Safety. These requests are no longer submitted to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Update #23: Occupancy Submissions
Department of Buildings staff are working to address the high volume of occupancy submissions that have been received since the expansion of DOB NOW: Build on March 1, 2021. A Service Notice will be posted regularly to provide current service levels.

Properties with Board of Standards of Appeals Decisions will be Flagged in the Property Profile
Beginning March 8, 2022, buildings that have been the subject of a decision by the Board of Standards of Appeals (BSA) after 1998, will be flagged in the Buildings Information System (BIS) Property Profile and DOB NOW.

Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH): Flagged Buildings not in an MIH Area are not Required to Submit HPD Permit
Buildings flagged in the Buildings Information System (BIS) Property Profile as an MIH Area building but are not in an MIH area, are not required to submit to the Department of Buildings a Permit Notice or Completion Notice from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

Update #22: Occupancy Submissions
Department of Buildings staff are working to address the high volume of occupancy submissions that have been received since the expansion of DOB NOW: Build on March 1, 2021. A Service Notice will be posted regularly to provide current service levels.

Appointments for Development HUB BIS Jobs
Beginning February 15, 2022, appointments for Development Hub BIS jobs must be scheduled via the DOB Appointments System.

Update #21: Occupancy Submissions
Department of Buildings staff are working to address the high volume of occupancy submissions that have been received since the expansion of DOB NOW: Build on March 1, 2021. A Service Notice will be posted weekly to provide current service levels.

Local Law 87 of 2009: Energy Efficiency Report (EER) Submissions Will Not be Accepted if Penalties are Outstanding
Beginning with the Energy Efficiency Report (EER) submissions due by December 31, 2021, the Department of Buildings will not accept an EER submission from an owner who owes penalties for prior violations until those penalties are paid in full. Title 1 of the Rules of the City of New York §103-07(n) states DOB 'will not accept any outstanding EER submission if outstanding penalties are not paid in full.'

Updates to Boiler Inspection Reports in DOB NOW: Safety
DOB NOW: Safety will be updated January 24, 2022 to incorporate changes to the annual boiler inspection requirements.

Updates to Elevator Inspections in DOB NOW: Safety
DOB NOW: Safety will be updated January 24, 2022 to incorporate changes to elevator inspection and test requirements.

Update #20: Occupancy Submissions
Department of Buildings staff are working to address the high volume of occupancy submissions that have been received since the expansion of DOB NOW: Build on March 1, 2021. A Service Notice will be posted weekly to provide current service levels.