Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings)

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, removing, or changing the use or occupancy of a building or structure, or before installing or altering covered electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression, or fire protection systems, unless exempt under NYC Administrative Code section 28-105.4.

• Exempt Emergency work
• Exempt Minor alterations and ordinary repairs
• Exempt Certain public utility work
• Exempt Ordinary plumbing work
• Exempt Certain signs
• Exempt Geotechnical investigations
• Exempt Certain fire extinguishing, fire alarm, low-voltage electrical systems
• Exempt Temporary portable sheds accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, up to 120 sq ft (meeting specified limits)
• Exempt Fences 6 feet or less at one- and two-family dwellings
• Exempt Certain small accessory pools at one- and two-family dwellings
• Exempt Playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings
• Exempt Certain retaining walls less than 4 feet high that do not support surcharge or impound listed liquids
• Exempt Roof membrane or roof covering replacement above deck or sheathing (subject to listed conditions)

Note: Permit exemptions do not authorize work that violates the NYC Construction Codes, Energy Conservation Code, Zoning Resolution, or other laws. Exemptions do not remove the need for filings or approvals from agencies such as LPC, FDNY, DEP, DOT, or others where applicable. For complete information, see NYC Administrative Code section 28-105.4 and 1 RCNY 101-14.

Building code

2022 New York City Construction Codes (effective November 7, 2022), including NYC Building Code and related administrative provisions. NYC does not use the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.

Permit validity

Permits have a maximum duration of 2 years from issuance under NYC Administrative Code section 28-105.8.1. DOB NOW: Build permits expire on the earliest of insurance expiration, license expiration, or one year from issuance.

Owner-builder

Owners are ultimately responsible for work on their property. Homeowners performing work on their own home may be eligible for limited workers' compensation waiver treatment, but code and permit requirements still apply unless the work is exempt.

Contractor requirements

Permits are issued to the appropriate licensed or registered contractor. General construction requires a Licensed General Contractor. Trade permits require applicable NYC licensed trade professionals (e.g., Licensed Master Plumber, Licensed Master Electrician). Alteration 1, 2, and 3 work in 1-4 family homes and certain apartment/co-op/condo settings require Home Improvement Contractor licensing information.

Source: New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), Brooklyn Borough Office ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the property is in Kings County (Brooklyn) and therefore within NYC DOB jurisdiction.
2. 02
   Determine whether the scope requires a permit under NYC Administrative Code section 28-105.1 and listed exemptions.
3. 03
   Determine the filing path: DOB NOW: Build for many applications, or BIS/eFiling for specific permit types.
4. 04
   Retain a New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) to prepare and submit plans.
5. 05
   Prepare the filing package: drawings, energy calculations, PW1 and applicable schedules, asbestos forms, and electronic documents.
6. 06
   Submit the job filing in DOB NOW or BIS/eFiling and pay filing fees before submission.
7. 07
   Resolve DOB objections and plan review comments by resubmitting corrected documents.
8. 08
   Request the work permit online after DOB approval and clearance of fees, licenses, and insurance.
9. 09
   Post permits, perform approved work, schedule required inspections in DOB NOW: Inspections, and obtain final sign-off or Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: Varies by filing type, job complexity, number of objections, and outside-agency approvals. NYC DOB does not publish a single borough-wide turnaround time.

Source: New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), Brooklyn Borough Office ↗

DOB NOW accepts eCheck (no fee), Visa, MasterCard, American Express, debit cards with Visa/MasterCard logo (2% fee), PayPal (2% fee), and Venmo (2% fee). Returned checks incur a $20 fee. Record management fee of $165 charged once on initial filing. PAA filing fee $100 flat. Permit renewal fee $130. Supersede request after permit issuance $130 (unless fee-exempt).

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• DOB NOW: Inspections (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made in DOB NOW: Inspections. In-person, phone, and old online request portals are no longer accepted for covered inspection categories.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (phone lines); 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (in-person customer service)

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: permit issuance, progress inspections during construction, correction of any defects or objections, final inspection/sign-off, and then Certificate of Occupancy, Letter of Completion, or final sign-off depending on project type. Covered inspection categories in DOB NOW: Inspections include electrical, signs, fire suppression, boilers, construction, cranes and derricks, elevators, BPP, oil-burning equipment, sustainability, plumbing, and High Rise Initiative work.

Source: New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), Brooklyn Borough Office ↗