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Registrant Project Requirements:
New Deck and Porch Installation
Work & Site Requirements

The Department issues licenses to Contractors qualified to perform construction work.  Permits for renovation work are only issued to a Licensed General Contractor(GC).  The GC must have a place of business in New York City as per AC §28-401.18. All licensees shall include their license number and business information on trucks, business cards and advertisements.  See the NYC Administrative Code §28-418.

Work Site Requirements

Licensed Contractors and Registration

AC Chapter 4, defines the various licensing and registration requirements, and qualifications of individuals employed on any project regulated by the Department of Buildings. AC 28-418 requires General Contractors (GC) to register with the Department. AC 28-401.18 requires licensed Contractors to have a place of business in New York City. AC 28-418 requires all registrants to include their license number and business information on trucks, business cards and advertisements.

Contractor Registration

Any new development of a 1, 2, 3, or 4-family dwelling shall also require a Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs in addition to a General Contractor (GC) license. This includes, but is not limited to, the construction, replacement, or improvement of cellars, basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, and other improvements to structures or upon land that is next to a home or apartment building.

Registered general contractors must also have safety endorsements from DOB for construction, concrete and demolition work if performing such work on buildings that are four stories or more. Based on the scope of a project, additional requirements may be applicable

Safety Registration

Non-registered contractors may perform limited work that is assigned a tracking number, but must pre-file with the department and provide proof of Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance.

Insurance Tracking

Welders are required to obtain a license from the Commissioner, per AC 28-407.

Renovation Work Permit

Licensed Contractors must register first to use the Department’s online permit processing ePermit system. A permit application must be completed online by the licensed/registered Contractor for the issuance of a renovation permit. Prior to issuing a permit for the approved project, the following are required:

  1. Payment of any unpaid project application fees
  2. Identification of responsible Special Inspection Agencies
  3. Request for waiver of penalties, stop work orders or violations (former L2 Form).
  4. Licensee must have his/her license and insurance active and current

Work Site Requirements for Construction Activity

The Administrative Code of the City of New York AC 28-301.1 requires owners to maintain their properties in a safe condition. All parties engaged in construction shall act in a reasonable and responsible manner to maintain a safe construction site per NYC Building Code 3301.1.1. Any party engaged in construction work that results in damage to an adjacent property or if an accident occurs shall immediately notify the DOB.

Site Safety Regulations

  1. For regulations related to the safety of persons employed on a construction site or during demolition operations, OSHA Standards shall apply per NYC BC 3301.1.
  2. For regulations related to party wall protection, see NYC BC 3309.8.
  3. For regulations related to building’s waterproof integrity during construction process, see NYC BC 3309.9.
  4. For regulations related to monitoring structural integrity, see NYC Building Code Sections BC 1704.20.7.1, BC 1814.3,  BC 3301.7, 3309.4.4, 3309.6, 3309.16, and TPPN 10 of 1988.
  5. For regulations related to preconstruction reports and surveys, see NYC BC 1814.1 and 3309.4.3.
  6. The permit holder is required to notify DOB prior to excavation per NYC BC 3304.3.1.
  7. Construction or demolition operations shall also be conducted in conformance with the New York City Fire Code per NYC BC 3301.1.2.
  8. For regulations on hours of the day or days of the week in which construction work may be undertaken refer to Citywide Construction Noise Mitigation: 15 RCNY Chapter 28.
  9. Smoking on construction sites is illegal. NYC BC §3303.7.3 and NYC Fire Code §14041.
  10. Tobacco, lighters and matches are prohibited on asbestos abatement sites. Local Law 35/09.
  11. For regulations related to waterproof integrity, per BC 3309.9.
  12. Open fires are illegal on construction sites. NYC Fire Code §1404.3.
  13. Approved portable fire extinguishers must be available on floors where combustible materials or liquids are stored, combustible waste is being generated and at the entrance of each storage and construction shed. NYC Fire Code §1415.1.
  14. Store materials away from flames. NYC Fire Code §308.2.
  15. All shanties and contractor sheds shall be built from fire-retardant or non-combustible materials and shall be located in safe area. NYC Building Code §3303.1.3.
  16. Where a means of ingress/egress to the property remains open to the public during the course of construction or demolition, walkways, pathways, and similar areas within the property line that provide a path of travel between the required means of ingress/egress and the public sidewalk or temporary walkway shall remain open per BC 3307.2.4.

Tenant/Occupant Protection Plan

AC 28-104.8.4 states construction documents for renovation in an occupied building during construction shall include a tenant protection plan. Such plan shall contain a statement that the building contains dwelling units, offices, or similar, that will be occupied during construction. It shall also include the specific units that are occupied during construction and the means and methods to be employed to safeguard the safety and health of the occupants with details such as temporary fire-rated assemblies, opening protective, or dust containment procedures. The elements of the tenant protection plan shall have detailed and specific provisions for egress, fire safety, structural safety, health requirements, and demonstrate compliance with housing standards and noise restrictions.

In an occupied building, protective means (barricades, signs, drop cloths, etc.), shall be installed and maintained as necessary to provide protection for the occupants against construction hazards and nuisances. Such protective means shall be indicated on the tenant protection plan per Section BC 3303.10.1.

Temporary Construction Equipment

Renovation projects such as excavation, demolition and façade repair require the installation of temporary construction equipment such as sidewalk sheds, fences, scaffolds, material chutes, hoist, etc., required to safely move materials associated with the project, and required for the protection of workers and the public, per Section AC 28-105.8 and Sections BC 3304, BC 3307, BC 3308, BC 3314, etc. Also refer to Construction Project Guidelines for “Temporary Construction Equipment.” Special attention should go to restrictions on signage attached to temporary construction equipment. Typically, advertising signage may not be placed upon temporary construction equipment, while the placement of lawful accessory signage is limited per BC 3301.10.

For balance of site safety requirements, see NYC Building Code BC Chapter 33.

Additional Requirements for Registrant

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