Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY - Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within Kings County (the borough of Brooklyn, one of five boroughs of New York City). Building permits are issued by NYC DOB under the New York City Construction Codes and Administrative Code, not the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.

Department

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

Address

345 Adams Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Phone

(718) 802-3677

Website

https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/index.page

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

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

General Requirements

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.

Required Documents

• PW1 Plan/Work Application
• Applicable schedules (PA, PB, etc.)
• Construction drawings (professionally certified)
• Energy calculations
• Asbestos compliance forms
• Cost information and stakeholder information
• Electronic documents as required by filing type
• Stakeholder e-signatures (DOB NOW: Build)
• Online permit request (submitted after plan approval)

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.

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.

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.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included in calculated filing fees

Permit fee formula

Code-based and job-type dependent, calculated by DOB NOW according to NYC Construction Codes Table 28-112.2 after applicant enters scope and estimated job cost

Trade permit fee

Varies by trade permit type

Payment note

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. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Important: 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.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 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 inspection 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.

Additional Resources

• 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.
• Verify contractor license: NYC Licensed Trades Verification
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Brooklyn Borough Office
• Filing Applications Overview
• Filing Through a Borough Office
• Permits by Type
• Contractor Permit and Insurance Guidance
• 2022 NYC Construction Codes
• NYC Administrative Code Section 28-105.1
• NYC Administrative Code Section 28-105.4
• 1 RCNY 101-14 (Service Equipment Exemptions)
• License lookup guide: New York Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: New York Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• New York hub: New York Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings) Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

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.

How much does a building permit cost in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

Fees are calculated as: Code-based and job-type dependent, calculated by DOB NOW according to NYC Construction Codes Table 28-112.2 after applicant enters scope and estimated job cost. Plan check fee: Included in calculated filing fees.

How do I apply for a building permit in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

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

How long does it take to get a building permit in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

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

What work is exempt from building permits in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

The following work is generally exempt: Emergency work; Minor alterations and ordinary repairs; Certain public utility work; Ordinary plumbing work; Certain signs; Geotechnical investigations; Certain fire extinguishing, fire alarm, low-voltage electrical systems; Temporary portable sheds accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, up to 120 sq ft (meeting specified limits); Fences 6 feet or less at one- and two-family dwellings; Certain small accessory pools at one- and two-family dwellings; Playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings; Certain retaining walls less than 4 feet high that do not support surcharge or impound listed liquids; 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.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Brooklyn (NYC Department of Buildings), NY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: DOB NOW: Inspections. 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..