Service Updates

CrowdStrike and Microsoft Outage: DOB to Waive Certain Civil Penalties for Failure to File Reports or Failure to Correct Unsafe Conditions During Outage
Due to the global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike and Microsoft, DOB NOW: Safety was not available on July 19, 2024, and may not have been fully available on July 20, 2024, and July 21, 2024. Accordingly, the Department will waive civil penalties for failure to submit Elevator, Boiler, Façade, or Parking Structure inspection reports on one of those dates, provided the inspection report is submitted in DOB NOW: Safety no later than July 31, 2024.

Hoisting Machine Operator License will be Required to Operate an Articulating Boom Crane, Mini Crane, or Rotating Telehandler in New York City
Beginning November 7, 2024, an HMO license issued by the Department of Buildings will be required to operate an articulating boom crane, mini crane, or rotating telehandler in New York City. New classes of limited HMO licenses for operators of articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers have been created.

License Examination Fee Updates
Effective May 29, 2024, the fees for the written and practical examination were updated to $585 for the written examination and $530 for the practical examination. Review 1RCNY §101-03 – Chapter 100 for more information

Civil Penalties for Failure to File Affirmation of Correction for 2022 and 2023 Elevator Inspection and Test Cycles
As stated in Department of Buildings Rule 1 RCNY §103-02(h)(3) and (i)(3), DOB will not require owners to pay a civil penalty for failure to file by the due date an affirmation of correction for defects found during the 2022 and 2023 inspection and test cycles provided the affirmation was submitted by April 14, 2023 (for the 2022 cycle) or April 14, 2024 (for the 2023 cycle).

Violations for Failure to File Report and Failure to File Affirmation of Correction for 2023 Elevator Inspection and Test Cycles
DOB will issue violations in August 2024 for failure to file Category 1 elevator test reports and periodic inspection reports for the 2023 cycle. In addition, as provided in 1 RCNY §103-02(h)(3) and (i)(3), DOB will issue violations to owners who failed to file by April 14, 2024, an affirmation of correction for defects found during the 2023 cycle.

Local Law 147 of 2021: New Definition of Major Building – 7 or More Stories or 75 Feet in Height
Effective December 11, 2024, the definition of a ‘major building’ in Section 202 of Chapter 2 of the NYC Building Code will change from an existing or proposed building 10 or more stories or 125 feet or more in height, to an existing or proposed building 7 or more stories or 75 feet or more in height. Current additional triggers for an existing or proposed building with a building footprint of 100,000 square feet or more regardless of height, or an existing or proposed building designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings as a major building due to unique hazards associated with the construction or demolition of the structure, will not change.

Changes to Zoning Use Groups
Effective June 6, 2024, Use Groups in the Zoning Resolution (ZR) have new Roman Numerals: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X.

Limited Gas Work Qualifications Expire 5 Years After Issuance and Cannot be Renewed or Reissued
Holders of Limited Gas Work Qualifications will be required to apply for and obtain a Full Gas Work Qualification to continue performing gas work in New York City after the expiration of their Limited Gas Work Qualifications. Full Gas Work Qualifications do not expire.

Local Law 97 of 2019: Article 321 Workbook for Reporting Prescriptive Energy Conservation Measures
The Department of Buildings has created an Excel workbook to be used for reporting Prescriptive Energy Conservation Measures (PECMs) that covered buildings subject to Article 321 are required to submit to DOB by May 1, 2025. See NYC Administrative Code Section 28-321.3.

NEW REQUIREMENT: Construction Inspection Sign Off Prior to Occupancy Requests in DOB NOW: Inspections
Effective Monday, May 13, 2024, all requests for construction sign off must be submitted in DOB NOW: Inspections. Requests sent by email to ConstructionIR mailboxes will not be processed.

Update to ST1: Street Tree Checklist
The ST1: Street Tree Checklist has been updated to include an additional reason why proposed work is exempt. The updated form with (Rev. 5/24) in the lower right corner is available for use now. The current ST1: Street Tree Checklist dated (Rev. 8/16) will not be accepted after May 31, 2024.

New DOB NOW Login Process Requiring NYC.ID Account
Beginning June 3, 2024, all existing and new of DOB NOW users are required to have a NYC.ID account. Visit nyc.gov/dobnowtips for more information.

• Users will complete a one-time process of creating an NYC.ID account.
• An NYC.ID account is required to access DOB NOW: Build, Safety, BIS Options, and Licensing.
• DOB NOW: Inspections and eFiling account registration is not changing and will not require an NYC.ID account.
  

DOB NOW Fees for Reinstated Applications or Applications with Substantial Changes
Abandoned applications, expired permits and applications are not valid after their expiration date. The Department of Buildings may allow a filing that substantially changes the scope of an abandoned application or an expired permit to continue with the same job number for administrative purposes, provided that all associated fees for the proposed scope of work are paid as if a new application were filed for the work.

Follow-up #1 - Guidelines for Mechanical Systems Work Type Filing in DOB NOW: Build
Mechanical systems and construction and structural work directly and customarily associated with the installation and alteration of mechanical systems are required to be filed in DOB NOW: Build.

CD8-TR: Identification of Special Inspections Form Updated
The CD8-TR: Identification of Special Inspections Form has been updated to include the 2022 Construction Codes. The updated form with (Rev. 3/24) in the lower right corner is available for use now. The current form with the Rev. 3/19 date, will not be accepted after April 22, 2024.

Follow-up #1: Initial Observations of Parking Structures in Certain Community Districts
Beginning Monday, March 25, 2024, a Qualified Parking Structure Inspector (QPSI) can submit a one-time initial observation report (as required by 1 RCNY §103-16) in DOB NOW: Safety for parking structures in Manhattan Community Districts 8 through 12, and all Community Districts in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. The deadline to submit the initial observation report is August 1, 2024.

Get Help Certifying Corrections
The Department is increasing its education and outreach efforts to resolve open summonses through the Get Summonses Corrected (GSC) campaign. Beginning March 19, DOB’s Administrative Enforcement Unit (AEU) will host virtual and borough office events to assist individuals experiencing difficulties with certifying correction.

Request for Consideration of a Refund: RF1 Form Revised
Effective Monday, April 1, 2024, only the RF1 form with the revised date of 3/24 in the lower right corner will be accepted for refund consideration.

Bronx Borough Office Closed on March 8, 2024 and Reopening on March 11, 2024 at a New Location
On Friday, March 8, 2024, all customer service windows at the Bronx Borough Office will be closed. The office will reopen on Monday, March 11, 2024, at its new location at 1775 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor.

Customer Service Windows Closed Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Due to the anticipated weather conditions, all DOB Customer Service Windows will be closed on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Customers are encouraged to use online services.

Final CY2022 Benchmarking Compliance Deadline of February 1, 2024 Extended to February 21, 2024
The final quarterly benchmarking compliance deadline for the 2022 calendar year data submission has been extended to February 21, 2024.

NEW REQUIREMENT: Initial Observations of Parking Structures in Certain Community Districts
A new Department of Buildings Rule (1 RCNY §103-16) requires owners of parking structures in certain Community Districts to have a one-time initial observation of the parking structure performed by August 1, 2024. This initial observation requirement applies to parking structures in Community Districts 8 through 12 in Manhattan, and all Community Districts in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx that are required by Article 323 of Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code and 1 RCNY §103-13 to have periodic inspections performed by December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2027.

Reinstatement Fees: Abandoned Applications, Expired Permits and Applications, Amended Plans
Abandoned applications, expired permits and applications are not valid after their expiration date. You may be required to re-file or pay a reinstatement fee to complete after expiration. Amended plans that changes the scope of the application may require a new application and new fees.

Buildings After Hours Cancelled on January 16, 2024
Due to inclement weather, Buildings After Hours on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 is cancelled. Buildings After Hours will resume on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

New Application Requirements for Renewing Special Inspection Agency Registration
Beginning January 15, 2024, Special Inspection Agencies (SIA) are required to use the new online form to renew their SIA registration. Changes to an SIA registration cannot be submitted through the online form and require submission of a separate paper SIA1 application with the required supporting documents.

Follow-up #1 – Local Law 154 of 2021: On-site Fossil Fuel Combustion Limitations in DOB NOW
A new banner now appears on the DOB NOW Property Profile when a New Building (NB) or Alteration-CO New Building with Existing Elements to Remain job is submitted in DOB NOW and the building is subject to Local Law 154 of 2021 restrictions.