DOB NOW: Build Frequently Asked Questions

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 If the job filing type needs to be changed after the job has been submitted, the filing needs to be withdrawn and a new filing created.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 (PD1) is required prior to approval for all NBs and is a conditional requirement for Alt-COs. A House Number Verification: TOPO stamp document is required prior to approval. 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.

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.

DOB NOW: Build records a CO at the property level: One BIN = One CO. If a building has another open Alt-1/Alt-CO job, a Final CO cannot be issued for the building when one open job obtains a sign-off. In DOB NOW, when one of the open Alt-1/Alt-CO jobs obtains sign-off, the building is issued a TCO with “Temporary” CO Type status for the floors, and a note in the “exception” section of floor/use will list the job number of the signed off job with an extended expiration date until other Open Alt1/Alt-COs are signed off. A Final CO, with occupancy status for all floors marked “Final” can only be issued for the building when the last open Alt-1/Alt-CO job obtains a signoff.

Under Zoning Information, if you select that Zoning Exhibits are required, enter data in Zoning Exhibit 1. If you also need to enter data in the field for Zoning Exhibit 3, enter N/A in Zoning Exhibit 2. A system update will be made a future date to allow for data to be entered without N/A. To obtain the Zoning Exhibit data, file with the County Clerk’s office or City Register to obtain a CRFN (City File Number), which is the equivalent of a reel/page number. Enter the CRFN number in this field.