Do you need a permit for a deck in New York City?
New York City’s published wording does not name decks separately. The wording it does publish is quoted below1; ask the building department whether your deck needs a permit before you start. Work that needs no building permit can still need zoning approval.
On this page
General rule only
New York City's published wording“*§28-105.1 General. It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, remove, or change the use or…”1
City of New York, Department of Buildings, §28-105.1
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Alteration permit for one-, two- or three-family dwelling | Alteration work permit: One-, two- or three-family dwelling…1 |
Zoning rules: separate from the building permit
A project can be exempt from one and still need the other (zoning vs building permits).
| Zoning rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning approval needed even without a building permit? | Yes | Any exemptions outlined by this rule will not grant authorization for any…2 |
What to submit
- Plans filed by NYS licensed PE or RA3
Deck permit fees in New York City
Fee lines as New York City's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| 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$5,000.1 |
All of New York City's fee lines are on the New York City permit page.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Landmarks Preservation Commission filing may still be required2
Who to ask
Deck permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare New York City with 18 other cities on the national deck permit guide, or go straight to one:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes, General Administrative Provisions (Admin. Code Title 28), Chapter 1 AdministrationCity 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
- 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
- Permits by Type - BuildingsCity of New York, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026