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Project Checklists for Owner: Scaffold

This section contains a list of questions/tasks to help Owners, who are responsible for hiring professionals to provide compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and other regulations discussed in the Project Guidelines.

The project design team should be hired and assembled by the Owner prior to beginning any construction. As an Owner, if you are unfamiliar with construction regulations, consult a Registered Design Professional or reference the NYC Construction Code and other regulations referenced in this guide for more information.

Checklists include:

Initial Project Checklist

DO

  • Pre-Project: Hire a NYS Registered Design Professional (Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (R.A.)) to ensure your project is Code-compliant.
  • Project Plans: Only a Registered Design Professional, or in certain instances, the registered Contractor can submit construction documents, including drawings and other submissions, to the Department for approval.
  • Asbestos Investigation: Have asbestos investigation performed on site to check for Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) that will be removed or disturbed.
  • Post Permit: Ensure permit is posted in a conspicuous place at the work site for the duration of the work.
  • Project Work: Hire a Licensed/Registered General Contractor to perform the work. When hiring a professional, have a written contract that includes the Contractor’s company name, address and license number(s).
  • DOT Approval and Permit: Scaffolds may require prior approval and permit from the Department of Transportation (DOT). Ensure that you have obtained DOT approval prior to submitting the project application to DOB and prior to starting any work.
  • Work Completion: Ensure inspections and sign-offs are performed to close the project application prior to either new building or alteration project’s sign-off.

DON’T

  • Work Without a Permit: Do not begin work without a Department permit. Property Owners and the people performing work without a permit may face violations with penalties, court appearances, civil and/or criminal penalties.

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Prior to Application Approval Checklist

  • Hire a Registered Design Professional (RDP), P.E. or R.A. and/or a Registered Contractor to finalize scope of work.
  • Provide and consent to project requirements, and authorize the RDP and/or Registered Contractor, who is the Applicant of Record, to submit project plans (construction documents) for approval by the Department.
  • Other City agency license/approval – Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of City Planning (DCP), Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) or Department of Transportation (DOT) – might be required prior to Department approval.
  • Project approval is required prior to beginning work.

*Note: The Owner of the building/property is ultimately responsible for the project, and their signature/consent is required for submission of the project application by their Design Professional, and Department approval. The Owner may attend plan examination appointments only if accompanied by the Applicant of Record or the Filing Representative.*

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Pre-Permit & On-going Project Work Checklist

Pre-Permit

  • Licensed Contractor: Hire NYC Licensed/Registered Contractor to obtain work permit in order to begin work.
  • Special Inspections: If the scope of work requires, hire the required Special Inspection Agency for performing Special/Progress Inspections.
  • Notify the Department: Prior to permit, provide the names of Special Inspection Agencies hired to do the Special Inspections, using an online submission.

On-going

  • Site Safety: Property Owners must maintain their properties in a safe condition during the course of work.

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Project Completion Close-out Checklist

  • Special Inspections: If the scope of work requires, the Special Inspection Agency hired must complete and submit results online to the Department.
  • Department Inspections: Make sure the Contractor has completed all Department of Buildings inspections and obtained a sign-off of the completed work.
  • Final Inspection and Sign-off: Confirm the Contractor has requested and passed a final inspection required by the Department.

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Project Checklists for Owner Links

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