Street Works Permits

Street Opening Permits are required for any work that would compromise the street surface, including, but not limited to:

• Street openings
• Excavations
• Other work in a street that may cause damage to the street surface

Street Opening Permits are generally requested by entities that need access to subsurface infrastructure, such as utility companies and contractors, including licensed master plumbers.

Before submitting a Street Opening Permit application, applicants should review the List of Protected Streets to determine if the proposed work is in protected status. If the proposed work location is in protected street status, the application will be placed on hold for further review.

Construction-related activities that take place within the street and are generally associated with construction work adjacent to the street require a Building Operations & Construction Activity Permit. Typically, a valid permit from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is required before applying for the permits in this category.

Construction-related activities covered in this category:

• Placement of materials, equipment, and temporary structures on the street or sidewalk (building materials, cranes, boom trucks, a shanty or trailer, construction container, security structure, tool cart, or construction parking regulations signs)
• Movement of construction equipment across roadways and sidewalks
• Installations above the street (decorative lighting)
• Permanent installations on the street (bike racks)

Building Operations & Construction Activity Permits are generally requested by entities performing construction activities, including developers and contractors.

To make any sidewalk repairs, sidewalk replacements, or install a new sidewalk, a Sidewalk Construction Permit is required. Sidewalk Construction Permits are generally requested by developers and contractors.

Private Homeowners

Private homeowners may request Sidewalk Construction Permits only if they are performing the work themselves.

To place a canopy over the sidewalk a Canopy Authorization and Permit is required. A one-time Street Opening Permit must also be obtained to install the poles that support the canopy. Canopy permits are generally requested by building owners, business owners, and canopy installers.

New Canopy

Instructions for requesting a new canopy permit are detailed in the Street Works Manual. Street Works Manual – Chapter 3.4.1 – Application Procedure for Canopy Authorizations and Permits

Canopy Renewals

Each canopy installation permit is valid for 30 days. The maintenance permit expires one year from the date it was issued. The building owner must renew each canopy permit every year, at least one month before it expires.

1. Complete the Application for Roadway and Sidewalk Permits (pdf)
2. Mail the renewal application and maintenance fee ($50) to:

For more information regarding Canopy Permits, please call 212-839-9663, 212-839-9664, or 212-839-8947.

To temporarily place a container on a city street for uses such as household cleanups or remodeling projects a Commercial Refuse Container Permit is required.

Commercial Refuse Container Permits are not required in two situations:

1. When a separate DOB permit is required for construction activity.
2. When an NYC DOT Building Operations & Construction Activity Permit is required.

A building vault is any opening below the surface of the street that projects outside the property line and has a covering. Such opening below the surface of the street may be used for storage.

Exceptions in this definition, if the opening is:

• Used exclusively to access, by means of steps, the cellar or basement of building
• Used primarily for light and ventilation
• Constructed or maintained by utility company (including transformer vaults)
• Part of the subway, railroad, and related structures

A transformer vault is a subsurface structure or room that houses electrical transformers and related equipment. Transformer vaults are typically installed, owned, and maintained by an electric utility company. The City has agreements with electric utility companies that allow them to occupy and use City property for transformer vaults.

The construction, alteration, or repair of any building vault or transformer vault requires a permit from NYC DOT. Most vault work also requires approval and a permit from DOB.

If the vault is in a historic district, approval is needed from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. If the vault is near a subway or tunnel entrance, approval is needed from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

To construct a new building vault or enlarge an existing building vault, a vault license and Revocable Consent from NYC DOT is required.

Apply for a Vault Permit

Application information, plans, engineering drawings, and supporting documents must be submitted to the NYC DOT’s Plan Examination Unit via email at vaults@dot.nyc.gov. NYC DOT will review the submitted plans and, if required, will schedule a call or virtual meeting with the permittee.