NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
New York, NY
Avg Review
45d
Rejection Rate
72%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — NYC Mechanical Code Type I Hood
2022 NYC MC §507 / NFPA 96 / 1 RCNY §28-113.2Type I hood per NYC MC §507 for grease-producing cooking. NYC-specific: ductwork fabrication must comply with NYC MC §506.3.12 (16-gauge minimum welded steel). Makeup air required: NYC MC §508. Rooftop exhaust must maintain minimum distances from property lines, openings, and air intakes per NYC MC §501.3.1. DOB NOW filing required for mechanical work (ALT type).
Examiner Note: NYC DOB plan examiners require ALT (Alteration) application type for commercial kitchen hood installation. Professional certification by NY PE or RA required. DOB NOW electronic filing mandatory.
Common rejection: Application filed as wrong work type in DOB NOW; professional certification missing; rooftop exhaust too close to property line or air intake
Correction: File ALT application in DOB NOW with NY PE or RA professional certification. Verify rooftop exhaust distances from property lines (10 feet min) and air intakes (10 feet min) per NYC MC §501.3.1. Show on roof plan.
Fire — FDNY Suppression & Cooking Operations
FDNY Rules 3 RCNY §901 / NFPA 96 / FC §904FDNY requires separate permits for commercial cooking operations. UL 300 system required. FDNY Certificate of Fitness (C-96) required for suppression system operation. FDNY reviews fire suppression plans separately from DOB. Automatic sprinkler per FC 903.2. Fire alarm per FC 907. Cooking operations permit from FDNY required before opening.
Examiner Note: FDNY plan review is completely separate from DOB and can take 4-6 weeks. Submit to FDNY as early as possible. FDNY requires a C-96 Certificate of Fitness holder on-site during operations.
Common rejection: FDNY plan review not initiated; no C-96 Certificate of Fitness holder identified; cooking operations permit not applied for
Correction: Submit fire suppression and cooking operations plans to FDNY immediately (allow 4-6 weeks). Identify C-96 Certificate of Fitness holder. Apply for FDNY cooking operations permit. Show suppression layout on FP-1.
Plumbing — NYC Plumbing Code & DEP Grease
2022 NYC PC §1003 / NYC DEP Sewer Use RulesGrease interceptor per NYC Plumbing Code §1003. NYC DEP enforces grease interceptor program — minimum 1,000 gallon external or approved automatic grease removal device (AGRD). DEP approval required before plumbing permit. Licensed master plumber (LMP) must file. 3-compartment sink, handwash stations. Backflow prevention per NYC PC §608.
Examiner Note: NYC requires Licensed Master Plumber to file plumbing applications with DOB. DEP grease interceptor approval is a prerequisite for DOB plumbing permit — submit to DEP first.
Common rejection: DEP grease interceptor approval not obtained before DOB filing; plumbing filed by non-LMP
Correction: Obtain NYC DEP grease interceptor/AGRD approval before filing plumbing with DOB. Engage Licensed Master Plumber (LMP) for filing. Show interceptor/AGRD on P-1 with DEP-approved sizing.
Electrical — NYC Electrical Code
2011 NYC Electrical Code / NYC Admin Code §27-3004NYC uses 2011 NYC Electrical Code (not NEC). Licensed master electrician required for filing. Minimum 200A service per bay. GFCI within 6 feet of water. Dedicated circuits for major appliances. Emergency disconnect per NYC EC 422.33. Con Edison coordination required for service upgrades. DOB electrical permit required (filed by LME).
Examiner Note: NYC requires Licensed Master Electrician (LME) for all electrical filing. Con Edison must approve service upgrade before DOB will issue electrical permit. Allow 6-8 weeks for Con Ed.
Common rejection: Con Edison approval not obtained; filing not by LME; NYC Electrical Code section citations wrong (using NEC instead of NYC EC)
Correction: Engage LME for DOB electrical filing. Initiate Con Edison service upgrade request (allow 6-8 weeks). Reference NYC Electrical Code sections (not NEC). Provide panel schedule on E-1.
Health — NYC DOHMH Food Service Establishment
NYC Health Code Art 81 / DOHMH Food Service Establishment RegsNYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) issues food service establishment permit. Plan review by DOHMH required. Article 81 requires: handwash within 25 feet, 3-compartment sink, food-grade surfaces, adequate ventilation, vermin-proofing (critical in NYC), lighting levels. DOHMH permit must be obtained before operating.
Examiner Note: DOHMH plan review is separate from DOB and takes 2-4 weeks. NYC is extremely strict on vermin-proofing: all pipe penetrations sealed, door sweeps, screens on openings. Metal kick plates on doors.
Common rejection: DOHMH plan review not completed; vermin-proofing provisions inadequate; handwash not within 25 feet
Correction: Submit plans to DOHMH for food service establishment review (allow 2-4 weeks). Add vermin-proofing details: sealed pipe penetrations, door sweeps, screens, metal kick plates on A-1. Verify handwash within 25 feet walking path.
Structural — NYC Building Code Structural
2022 NYC BC Ch 16 / ASCE 7 / NYC BC §1607Floor live load 150 PSF for commercial kitchen per NYC BC 1607. Wind design per NYC BC §1609 (NYC-specific wind maps). No significant seismic but NYC is SDC C for some areas. Professional certification by NY PE required. Special inspection requirements for structural modifications per NYC BC §1704.
Examiner Note: NYC DOB requires special inspections for structural work — engage DOB-approved special inspection agency. Professional certification by NY PE (not RA) for structural.
Common rejection: Special inspection agency not identified; structural certified by RA instead of PE; NYC-specific wind loads not used
Correction: Engage DOB-approved special inspection agency. Provide NY PE professional certification for structural. Use NYC BC §1609 wind maps (not ASCE 7 directly). Show special inspection requirements on S-1.
ADA — NYC Accessibility (Local Law 58)
2022 NYC BC Ch 11 / Local Law 58 / 2010 ADANYC Local Law 58 governs accessibility requirements — stricter than federal ADA in several areas. Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom required. NYC requires accessible signage per Local Law 58. Existing building renovations: 20% cost trigger for path-of-travel upgrades. Elevator access required per NYC BC 1007.4.
Examiner Note: NYC DOB checks Local Law 58 compliance strictly. The 20% cost trigger for path-of-travel is based on total construction cost, not just the specific renovation area.
Common rejection: Local Law 58 path-of-travel upgrades not addressed; 20% cost trigger calculation not provided
Correction: Calculate total renovation cost and determine if 20% Local Law 58 path-of-travel trigger is met. If triggered, show required upgrades on A-1. Include LL58 compliance statement on drawings.
Egress — NYC Exit Requirements
2022 NYC BC §1006 / §1017 / §1013 / §1028NYC egress requirements per NYC BC Chapter 10. Two exits when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance per NYC BC 1017.1. Exit signs per NYC BC 1013 — NYC requires photoluminescent exit path markings in certain occupancies per Local Law 26/2004. Occupant load calculation required. Assembly occupancy provisions if applicable.
Examiner Note: NYC requires photoluminescent exit path markings per Local Law 26/2004 for buildings that meet certain criteria. Verify applicability. FDNY also reviews egress separately.
Common rejection: Photoluminescent exit path markings not addressed; occupant load not calculated per NYC BC methodology
Correction: Verify Local Law 26/2004 applicability for photoluminescent markings. Add occupant load calculation per NYC BC on A-1. Show exit sign locations on RCP. Submit egress plan to FDNY for review.