We handle DOB NOW filings, plan review coordination, and permit issuance for new buildings, alterations, and renovations across all five boroughs.
Get a Free Quote →We prepare and submit your permit application through DOB NOW Build. Every form filled correctly, every document attached, every box checked.
When DOB examiners raise objections, we work with your architect and engineer to resolve them. No weeks-long back-and-forth on your end.
Once approved, we handle the permit issuance process including insurance verification, fee payment, and physical permit pickup when required.
Need to amend your permit after approval? We file post-approval amendments (PAAs) and revised plans through DOB NOW.
Send us your plans, scope of work, and timeline. We'll confirm which permit type you need (NB, Alt-1, Alt-2, or Alt-3) within 24 hours.
We submit your application through DOB NOW Build, track the plan review, and resolve any examiner objections with your design team.
Once DOB approves your application, we handle permit issuance. You get your approved permit and can start construction.
Every construction project in New York City needs a permit from the Department of Buildings. The type of permit depends on the scope of work. There are four main categories, and each one follows a different review path through DOB NOW Build.
New Building (NB) permits are for ground-up construction. These go through the most rigorous review, including zoning, structural, and architectural plan examinations. Alt-1 permits cover major alterations that change a building's use, egress, or occupancy. If you're converting a commercial space to residential, that's an Alt-1.
Alt-2 permits are for work that doesn't change the building's use or egress. Think mechanical system replacements, non-structural interior renovations, or facade repairs. Alt-3 permits handle minor work like replacing equipment in kind or swapping out a boiler with the same specs. Alt-3 filings are the fastest, often approved within a week or two.
All building permit applications in NYC go through DOB's BIS portal and DOB NOW Build. The process starts when your registered architect or professional engineer creates the application in DOB NOW and designates a filing representative.
Once the application is created, you upload your construction documents: architectural plans, structural drawings, energy code compliance forms, site surveys, and proof of insurance. The application then gets submitted for plan review. A DOB examiner reviews the documents and either approves the application or raises objections that need to be addressed.
After all objections are resolved and the application is approved, you pay the filing fees and DOB issues the permit. For some project types, you'll need to pick up a physical permit card at the borough office. We handle every step of this process, from the initial application setup through permit issuance.
The biggest factor is project complexity. An Alt-3 permit for a simple equipment swap can be approved in 1 to 2 weeks. An NB permit for a new residential building might take 3 to 6 months if there are zoning issues or multiple rounds of plan review objections.
Examiner objections are the most common cause of delays. DOB plan examiners review your documents against the building code, zoning resolution, and other regulations. If something doesn't line up, they issue objections. Each round of objections adds 1 to 3 weeks to your timeline. Incomplete applications get rejected outright, and you have to start the review queue over.
Professional certification can speed things up. When your architect or engineer self-certifies the plans, DOB skips the detailed plan review and issues the permit faster. Not every project qualifies for professional certification, but when it's available, it can cut weeks off your timeline.
If you're a property owner or contractor who doesn't file with DOB regularly, the process is confusing. DOB NOW has its own logic, and small mistakes on the application can add weeks to your project. Hiring an NYC permit expediter means someone who files permits every day is handling yours.
It makes the most sense when your project has a tight construction deadline, when you've already gotten objections you don't understand, or when you simply don't have time to manage the DOB process yourself. We track your application daily, follow up with examiners, and coordinate with your architect or engineer so nothing falls through the cracks. Learn more about what a permit expediter does.
If your project also involves DOB violations that need to be resolved before you can get a permit, or if you need Con Edison coordination for utility work, we handle those too. Check out our pricing for a full breakdown of what each service costs.
Tell us about your project. We'll respond within 24 hours with a permit timeline and cost estimate.