The Department of Buildings filing fee structure has not been adjusted in over a quarter century, with the last change having been implemented in 1991. Since then, the Department’s role in helping to promote safe construction throughout the City has grown substantially.

Local Law 56 of 2016 establishes an appropriate and equitable fee for new buildings and alterations. Permit fees for 1-3 family dwellings and Affordable Housing have been reduced under the new Local Law. Major developments will now pay fees commensurate with the services the DOB provides in approving these much more complex projects.

On March 5, 2018, the new permit fees specified in Local Law 56 of 2016 were programmed in the Department of Buildings systems.

New Buildings Fee Structure

• New applications for 1, 2, and 3-family dwellings will be reduced from $0.12 per square foot to $.06 per square foot but not less than $100.00.
• New applications for all other buildings fewer than seven (7) stories and one hundred thousand square feet or less will not have an increase in the cost per square footage ($0.26), but the minimum fee increases from $100.00 to $280.00.
• New applications for all other buildings seven (7) stories or greater or more than one hundred thousand square feet has increased in the cost per square footage from $0.26 to $0.45 and the minimum fee has increased from $100.00 to $290.00.

Alterations Building Fee Structure

• The fee calculation rate for new applications for 1, 2, and 3-family homes has been reduced from $5.15 for each $1,000.00 in excess of $5,000.00 to $2.60 for each $1,000.00. The minimum fees have not changed.
• The fee calculation rate for new applications fewer than seven (7) stories and less than one hundred thousand square feet buildings will no longer have a secondary rate (i.e. $20.00 for each $1,000.00 of the next $2,000.00).
• The fee calculation rate for new applications for seven (7) stories or more or greater than one hundred thousand square feet has increased from $10.30 as follows:
     - Alteration 1 new fee calculation rate is now $17.75 with a minimum fee of $290.00.
     - Alteration 2 and 3 fee calculation rates and minimum fees are unchanged.

For additional information on Local Law 56 of 2016, please refer to the DOB’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions.