New York City building permits
Building permits in New York City are issued by the New York City Department of Buildings1. You can apply and request inspections online through nyc.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in New York City? Common projects
- Building codes in force in New York City
- New York City building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in New York City
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in New York City
- Building without a permit in New York City
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- New York rules that also apply in New York City
- Sources
Building department contacts
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: nyc.gov7.
Do you need a permit in New York City? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with New York City's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height: 6 feet8 |
| Deck | General rule only | – |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet8 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Like-for-like replacement exempt? Yes8 |
| Pool | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 400 square feet8 |
| Water heater | Depends on size or scope | Like-for-like replacement exempt? Yes9 |
Building codes in force in New York City
These are the model codes New York City enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see New York building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | New York City Building Code (2022)10 | 201511 | 11 | NYC Council local laws: Local Laws 14 of 2020 and 126 of 202111 |
| International Plumbing Code (IPC) | New York City Plumbing Code (2022)10 | 201511 | 11 | NYC Council local laws: Local Laws 14 of 2020 and 126 of 202111 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | New York City Mechanical Code (2022)10 | 201511 | 11 | NYC Council local laws: Local Laws 14 of 2020 and 126 of 202111 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | New York City Fuel Gas Code (2022)10 | 201511 | 11 | NYC Council local laws: Local Laws 14 of 2020 and 126 of 202111 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | New York City Existing Building Code12 | – | 12 | Intro 1321-2025; Local Law 42 of 2026 (effective date)12 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2025 New York City Electrical Code13 | 202013 | 13 | City of New York, by amendments to Title 28 of the Administrative Code (the adopting local law number is not stated on the DOB Electrical Code page)13 |
| Energy code, residential | 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code14 | 202414 | 14 | Local Law 47 of 202614 |
| Energy code, commercial | 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code14 | 202414 | 14 | Local Law 47 of 202614 |
Transition rules. Complete applications filed on or before March 29, 2026 may continue under 2020 NYCECC14.
New York City building permit fees
Fees come from Table 28-112.2 (NYC Admin. Code)9, effective 9.
How valuation is set. Estimated cost of construction (materials, equipment, labor, profit and overhead), set by the department9.
Each line is worded as in New York City’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Alteration work permit: One-, two- or three-family dwelling | Based on project valuation | Minimum filing fee for the first $5,000, or fraction thereof, of the cost of alteration; plus $2.60 for each $1,000, or fraction thereof, of cost of alterations in excess of$5,000.9 |
| Alteration Type 1 Minimum Filing Fee (one-, two- or three-family dwelling) | Minimum fee | $1709 |
| Alteration Type 2 Minimum Filing Fee (one-, two- or three-family dwelling) | Minimum fee | $1309 |
| New building work permit: One-, two- or three-family dwelling (no existing elements retained) | Per square foot | $0.06 for each square foot, or fraction thereof, of the total floor area of the new building, but not less than $130 for each structure.9 |
| New building work permit: Garage for not more than three cars accessory to one-, two- or three-family dwelling | Flat fee | $1309 |
| Permit for demolition and removal | Minimum fee | Multiply building frontage in feet or fraction thereof × number of stories of the building × $2.60, but not less than $260.9 |
| Permit to install, alter or replace oil-burning equipment, gas or electric heating or any other energy source equipment | Flat fee | $130 (Per Type, Device, or Equipment)9 |
| Curb cut, private dwelling | Minimum fee | $3 for each linear foot including splay; minimum $1309 |
| Permit for electrical work | – | As provided by department rules.9 |
How to get a building permit in New York City
- Hire a NYS registered design professional (PE or RA), who files the plans2
- DOB plan examiner reviews; approval when objections satisfied2
- Permit obtained through DOB NOW: Build2
- Inspections; final inspection of all permitted work9
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Expires if work not commenced within 12 months of issuance, or if suspended/abandoned 12 continuous months9
- Extensions
- Application abandoned after 12 months; commissioner may extend in 12-month periods on payment of reinstatement fees9
Inspections in New York City
New York City’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- How to schedule
- DOB NOW: Inspections6
- After the final inspection
- Certificate of occupancy required to use or occupy a building9
Building without a permit in New York City
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher permit fee NYC Admin. Code § 28-213.1.1 | One- or two-family dwelling15 | Six times the permit fee15 | Penalty must be paid before a permit is issued for the work15 |
| Higher permit fee NYC Admin. Code § 28-213.1.2 | Buildings other than one- or two-family dwellings15 | 21 times the permit fee15 | – |
| Civil penalty NYC Admin. Code § 28-202.1 | Major violations15 | $1,000-$10,000 per violation, plus up to $250 per month uncorrected15 | – |
| Civil penalty NYC Admin. Code § 28-202.1 | Immediately hazardous violations15 | $2,500-$25,000 per violation, plus up to $1,000 per day uncorrected15 | – |
| Civil penalty NYC Admin. Code § 28-202.1 | Lesser violations15 | Up to $500 per violation15 | – |
| Stop-work order NYC Admin. Code § 28-207.2 | Work executed in violation of the code, zoning resolution or DOB-enforced laws, or in a dangerous or unsafe manner15 | All work must stop immediately15 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Construction plans must be filed by a NYS licensed PE or RA (the Applicant-of-Record); the department’s page does not say whether an owner may hold the work permit2
- Homeowner electrical work
- No - electrical permit applicant must be the licensed master or special electrician performing the work9
- Homeowner plumbing work
- No - plumbing permit applicant must be the licensed master plumber performing the work1
New York's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the New York permit guide.
New York rules that also apply in New York City
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in New York
- Contractor licensing in New York
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in New York
- Private plan review and inspections in New York
Sources
- Permits by Type - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Obtaining a Permit - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my project require a permit? - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact Us - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Office Locations - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Use DOB NOW - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Job Status - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- 1 RCNY §101-14 Categories of work that may or may not require a permitCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- NYC Codes - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- 2023 Construction Codes Revision Cycle HandbookCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Existing Building Code - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Electrical Code - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- Energy Conservation Code - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 2 EnforcementCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026