Building Permits in New York City, NY
Check permit requirements for home improvement projects in New York City. Select a project type below to see local requirements, estimated fees, and how to apply.
Recent permit activity in New York City
We track 651,116 permit records from New York City's official open-data feed. Filed by 14,335 different contractors.
Thinking about a project? Check what permits have already been pulled on a property . Useful for buyers vetting a listing, or homeowners curious about their neighbors' renovations.
Key Exemptions in New York City
These projects typically don't require a building permit in New York City:
Cosmetic bathroom updates without plumbing or electrical changes do not require a permit.
Small at-grade patio slabs under 120 square feet are typically exempt from building permits per IRC R105.2 (extended via local amendment). The slab must be at-grade (not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade) and not part of an accessible route.
Replacing an existing driveway in the same footprint with no changes to the curb cut is generally exempt from permit requirements.
Replacing a light fixture or outlet with a similar device is generally considered maintenance and does not require a permit.
Plugging a Level 1 (120V) EV charger into an existing outlet is NOT considered new electrical work and does not require a permit. This is the only permit-free EV charging method, just plug in and charge. Adds approximately 4-5 miles of range per hour.
See all rules by selecting a project type below, or use our free lookup tool for a personalized answer.
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New York City Building Department
Permit Guides
Read our in-depth guides for common home improvement projects: