NYC Demolition Permits: Full and Partial Demo Filing Guide

Demolition in New York City is one of the most regulated construction activities you can take on. Whether you're tearing down a whole building or removing a few interior walls, the DOB, DEP, and Con Edison all have a say in how it happens. Miss a step and you're looking at stop work orders, five-figure fines, or months of delays.

This guide covers every part of the NYC demolition permit process, from application types and filing requirements to asbestos coordination, utility disconnects, costs, and common mistakes. Everything here is specific to NYC and current as of 2026.

Overview: How NYC Demolition Permits Work

All demolition work in New York City requires a permit from the Department of Buildings (DOB). That includes full building demolitions, partial teardowns, interior gut renovations, and even selective demolition of structural elements.

The permit type depends on the scope. Full demolitions use a DM (Demolition) application. Partial demolitions are filed under an ALT (Alteration) application with demolition as the work type. Both go through DOB NOW, the city's online filing system.

Before the DOB will approve any demolition permit, you'll need to satisfy three critical prerequisites: an asbestos survey (filed with the DEP), utility disconnects (coordinated with Con Edison), and a DOB-approved scope of work prepared by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA). Skip any of these and your application won't move forward.

Full vs. Partial Demolition Permits

The biggest decision in the permitting process is whether your project qualifies as a full or partial demolition. The requirements, timelines, and costs are significantly different.

Feature	Full Demolition (DM)	Partial Demolition (ALT)
Scope	Complete building teardown to foundation	Removal of specific structural elements
Application type	DM (Demolition)	ALT1 or ALT2 (Alteration)
Con Edison disconnect	Required (gas, electric, steam)	Only if work affects service lines
Asbestos survey	Required (ACP-5 or ACP-7)	Required (ACP-5 or ACP-7)
DEP notification	Required (10 working days prior)	Required (10 working days prior)
DOB filing fee	$1,200 - $2,100+	$280 - $1,200
Timeline to approval	4 - 8 weeks	2 - 4 weeks
Safety plan required	Yes (site safety plan + neighborhood protection)	Sometimes (depends on scope and building height)

Full demolitions also require a licensed demolition contractor, sidewalk protection, and notification to adjacent property owners. If the building is over 6 stories, you'll need a Site Safety Manager on-site during all demolition work.

For interior work that doesn't touch structural elements, you may be looking at a standard interior demolition rather than a formal demolition permit. The line between "renovation" and "demolition" in the DOB's eyes depends on whether you're removing load-bearing walls, floors, or structural members.

DOB Filing Requirements

Filing a demolition permit through DOB NOW requires several documents and approvals. Missing even one will result in an objection, which sends you back to the start of the review queue.

Required Documents for Full Demolition

• Demolition application (DM). Filed through DOB NOW by a licensed PE or RA. Includes building description, lot information, and scope of work.
• Asbestos investigation report. ACP-5 (asbestos found) or ACP-7 (no asbestos) filed with the DEP. Must be completed by a NYC-certified asbestos investigator.
• Con Edison disconnect confirmation. Written confirmation that gas, electric, and steam have been disconnected at the property.
• Site safety plan. For buildings over 6 stories, a full site safety plan with a designated Site Safety Manager.
• Sidewalk and street protection plan. Required for most full demolitions. Shows how you'll protect pedestrians and adjacent properties.
• Adjacent property notifications. Proof that you've notified neighboring property owners of the planned demolition.
• Landmarks approval (if applicable). Properties in historic districts or with landmark designation need approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission before the DOB will process the application.

Required Documents for Partial Demolition

• Alteration application (ALT1 or ALT2). Filed through DOB NOW with demolition scope clearly described.
• Asbestos investigation report. Same ACP-5 or ACP-7 requirement as full demolition.
• Structural analysis. PE-stamped analysis showing the remaining structure will be stable after partial removal.
• Construction drawings. Showing existing conditions, what's being removed, and the final condition.

All applications must be filed by a registered design professional (PE or RA) who takes professional responsibility for the scope of work. Property owners can't file demolition permits on their own.

If you're working on a building with open violations, those need to be addressed before or alongside your demolition application. Open DOB violations can block new permit approvals.

Asbestos Survey Requirements

Asbestos coordination is the single biggest source of confusion and delays in NYC demolition permitting. Here's exactly how it works.

New York City requires an asbestos survey before any demolition or renovation that disturbs building materials. This applies to every building regardless of age. The survey must be performed by a NYC-certified asbestos investigator, not your general contractor or demolition company.

ACP-5 vs. ACP-7

After the investigation, the asbestos investigator files one of two forms with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

• ACP-5: Asbestos-containing materials were found. An abatement plan must be completed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor before demolition can begin. The DEP reviews and approves the abatement plan, and a DEP inspector monitors the work.
• ACP-7: No asbestos-containing materials were found. This clears the property for demolition. You'll still need to file the ACP-7 with the DEP and wait for acknowledgment.

DEP Notification Timeline

Regardless of whether asbestos is found, you must notify the DEP at least 10 working days before any demolition work begins. This notification is separate from the ACP-5/ACP-7 filing. The DEP uses this lead time to schedule inspections and verify compliance.

If asbestos is found and abatement is required, the timeline extends significantly. Asbestos abatement can add 2 to 6 weeks to your project depending on the scope, and it must be completed before the DOB will approve the demolition permit.

Asbestos surveys typically cost $800 to $2,500 depending on building size and complexity. Abatement costs vary widely based on the materials found and the amount that needs to be removed.

Con Edison Coordination

For full demolition projects, Con Edison must disconnect all utility services (gas, electric, and steam) before the DOB will issue your demolition permit. This is a non-negotiable requirement, and it's one of the most time-consuming steps in the process.

You'll submit your disconnect request through the Con Edison Project Center. ConEd reviews the request, schedules a site visit to verify the disconnect location, and then schedules the actual disconnect work. The whole process takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on the complexity of the service and ConEd's backlog.

Here's what to know about the ConEd timeline:

• Gas disconnects are typically faster (2 to 3 weeks) since they involve a relatively simple shutoff.
• Electric disconnects take longer (3 to 5 weeks), especially for buildings with underground service or shared feeds.
• Steam disconnects only apply to buildings in Manhattan's steam district. These can take 4 to 6 weeks and require additional coordination.

ConEd will issue a confirmation letter once all services are disconnected. You'll need this letter as part of your DOB demolition permit application. Without it, the DOB won't process your filing.

For partial demolition, ConEd disconnects are only required if the demolition work physically affects utility service lines or meters. If you're removing interior walls that don't involve utility infrastructure, you can skip this step.

We handle Con Edison coordination for dozens of demolition projects every year. If you've never dealt with ConEd's process before, it can feel like a black box. We know the system, the contacts, and how to keep things moving.

Cost Breakdown

Demolition permit costs go well beyond the DOB filing fee. Here's what you should budget for before any actual demolition work begins.

Cost Category	Range	Notes
DOB filing fee	$280 - $2,100+	Based on scope and building size
Asbestos survey	$800 - $2,500	Required for all demolition projects
Asbestos abatement (if needed)	$5,000 - $50,000+	Varies widely based on materials found
PE/RA professional fees	$1,500 - $5,000	For application filing and drawings
Permit expediter	$2,000 - $5,000	Handles DOB filing, ConEd, and DEP coordination
ConEd disconnect	$500 - $2,000	ConEd charges for disconnect labor
Site safety (if required)	$1,500 - $5,000/month	Buildings over 6 stories need a Site Safety Manager

All told, the permitting and pre-demolition phase for a full building demolition typically costs $8,000 to $20,000 before you hire a demolition contractor. For partial demolition, expect $3,000 to $10,000.

These numbers don't include the actual demolition labor and disposal costs, which are separate. For a detailed breakdown of demolition labor pricing, see our demolition labor cost guide. For per-square-foot estimates, check our demolition cost per square foot guide.

The penalty for working without a demolition permit is steep: $10,000 to $25,000 on a first offense, and $25,000 or more per day for repeat violations. The math is clear. Getting the permit is always cheaper than getting caught without one.

For a broader view of demolition project budgeting, our demolition estimate guide walks through the full picture.

Timeline: What to Expect

The total time from "I need to demolish something" to "I have a permit and can start work" depends on the demolition type, asbestos results, and ConEd scheduling. Here's a realistic breakdown.

Full Demolition Timeline (4 to 8 Weeks)

1. Week 1: Hire a PE/RA and asbestos investigator. Begin asbestos survey and submit ConEd disconnect request through the Project Center.
2. Weeks 1-2: Asbestos survey completed. ACP-5 or ACP-7 filed with DEP.
3. Weeks 2-4: If asbestos found, abatement work begins. ConEd processes disconnect request.
4. Weeks 3-5: ConEd completes disconnect and issues confirmation letter. PE/RA files DM application through DOB NOW.
5. Weeks 5-8: DOB reviews application, responds to any objections, and issues permit.

If asbestos abatement is required, add 2 to 6 weeks to this timeline. If the DOB raises objections to your application, each round of revisions adds 1 to 2 weeks.

Partial Demolition Timeline (2 to 4 Weeks)

1. Week 1: Asbestos survey and PE/RA structural analysis.
2. Weeks 1-2: ACP-5 or ACP-7 filed. ALT application submitted through DOB NOW.
3. Weeks 2-4: DOB reviews and approves. DEP 10-day notification period runs concurrently.

Partial demolition is faster because you usually don't need ConEd disconnects, the DOB application is simpler, and the review process has fewer checkpoints.

The single biggest thing you can do to speed up the process is start the asbestos survey and ConEd disconnect request at the same time. These are the two longest lead items, and running them in parallel instead of sequentially can save 2 to 4 weeks.

Common Mistakes and Delays

We've filed hundreds of demolition permits. Here are the mistakes that cause the most delays, and they're all avoidable.

Starting ConEd too late. Con Edison's disconnect process takes 2 to 6 weeks, and there's very little you can do to speed it up once the request is in their queue. Submit your disconnect request the same day you start the asbestos survey. Don't wait until everything else is ready.

Filing without a complete asbestos report. The DOB will reject your demolition application if the ACP-5 or ACP-7 isn't filed with the DEP before you submit. Some applicants try to file their DOB application while the asbestos survey is still in progress. That doesn't work. The DEP filing must be complete first.

Missing the DEP 10-day notification. Even after your ACP form is filed and approved, you still need to notify the DEP at least 10 working days before demolition starts. This is a separate step that people forget. Starting demolition without this notification is a violation.

Incomplete DOB applications. The most common DOB objection on demolition applications is missing documentation. Incomplete site safety plans, missing adjacent property notifications, or incorrect lot information will all trigger objections. Each objection resets you to the back of the review queue.

Ignoring existing violations. Open building violations on the property can block your demolition permit. Check BIS before you file and resolve any open issues first.

Working without a permit. This one should be obvious, but it happens constantly. The DOB conducts random site inspections and responds to 311 complaints. If they catch you demolishing without a permit, you're looking at $10,000 to $25,000 in fines on the first offense, a stop work order, and the requirement to retroactively permit all the work you've already done. It's never worth the risk.

How PermitExpertsNYC Helps

We're an NYC permit expediter that specializes in demolition projects. Our team handles the entire permitting process so you can focus on the actual construction work.

Here's what we handle:

• Determine the right permit type (DM vs. ALT) for your project scope
• Coordinate asbestos surveys and manage ACP-5/ACP-7 filings with the DEP
• Submit and track Con Edison disconnect requests through the Project Center
• Prepare and file demolition applications through DOB NOW
• Respond to DOB objections and manage the review process
• Handle building permit expediting for related work like new construction after demo
• Clear open violations that could block your application

We've handled everything from single-family teardowns in Queens to multi-story commercial demolitions in Manhattan. Every demolition project has its own wrinkles, but the permitting process follows the same steps. We know those steps inside and out.

Whether you need a full demolition permit or a partial demo for an interior renovation, we'll give you a clear timeline and fixed price. Check our pricing page for details, or reach out for a free project assessment.