A New York State licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) must submit construction plans to obtain a permit. A Department plan examiner will review the plans for any legal/zoning objections. When objections are satisfied, the Department will approve the application.
If you carry out a renovation project that requires a building permit without having one, the town can issue a “Stop Work” and or a “Cease and Desist” order, which remains in effect until you obtain a permit.
New York state law requires a contractor to provide a written contract for home improvement work. The contract should include a timeline for work to be completed, a payment schedule and as many specifics as possible about the project, such as types or brands of materials.
If all documentation is received and insurance papers are in order usually within a day or two. However, new construction, major additions, and other permits could take up to two weeks depending on workload.
The Rules of the City of New York §101-14 requires that backyard sheds meet the following requirements: Size: Up to 120 square feet – no permits needed. Above 121 square feet – plans, approval, and permits required.
On average, it takes about 1-3 months to get a building permit in NYC. Permitting timelines depend on the type of permit you applied for. Current timelines for the DOB to review an initial permit application are: Alt1 (standard filing): 3-4 months.
Some projects that typically need a permit include: New building construction. Major renovations or additions to existing buildings. Electrical work. Plumbing installations or changes.
If your project has a well-defined scope of work, a lump sum contract is a straightforward solution since contractors should be able to accurately estimate costs. If the project scope is unclear, contractors can bid with time and materials contracts to mitigate risk.
Contractors in New York aren't required to obtain a license at a statewide level unless they work in one of the three specialist professions outlined in more detail in the next section. Because local regions within the state often set their own rules, however, you'll likely need to obtain one license or another.