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Project Requirements for Owner:
New Deck and Porch Installation

Work you can do without a permit, Licensed Skilled Tradesperson, Licensed Contractor, or Registered Design Professional

There is some minor work, described in the sections below, which can be performed without a work permit, without hiring a Licensed Contractor, and/or without hiring a Registered Design Professional.

Work you can do without a permit

NYC Administrative Code Section AC 28-105.4 clarifies work exempt from permit, which does not absolve work from compliance with any other law or rules enforced by the Department. Owners are obligated to comply with requirements of other City agencies. Unless otherwise indicated, permits shall not be required for the following:

Emergency Work

Licensed Contractors may perform emergency work without initially getting a permit. AC 28-105.4.1 clarifies emergency work as work otherwise requiring a permit, performed to relieve an emergency condition. Licensed Contractors may perform emergency work prior to getting a permit as long as it is submitted within two (2) business days after work commences and includes a description of the emergency condition and mitigating measures taken. Emergency work, as it relates to deck and porch projects, may include but shall not be limited to:

  • Stabilization of unsafe structural conditions
  • Erection of sidewalk sheds, fences, or other similar structures to protect the public from an unsafe condition.

Minor Alterations and Ordinary Repairs

AC 28-105.4.2 defines minor alterations and ordinary repairs. A permit shall not be required for minor alterations and ordinary repairs.

When you need to hire a professional and obtain a permit

Several aspects of deck and porch project work, including but not limited to earthwork, foundation work, framing, electric wiring, and the repair or replacement of interior/exterior finishes, which can only be performed by contractors with specialized licenses to perform such required work, and permits are issued to these registered trade license holders.

General Contractor

The Owner must hire a Registered Design Professional to submit permit application plans to the Department prior to work being performed by a General Contractor.

Licensed Electrician

A new installation, alteration, or repair of electric wires, wiring apparatuses and appliances or equipment shall be performed by a New York City licensed electrical contractor. All electrical work such as, but not limited to, installing conduits, wires, lighting fixtures and switches, panelboards, fire alarm devices, boiler line voltage work and controls, etc., require an electrical permit before commencing such electrical work.

The Electrical Contractor shall coordinate with the Registered Design Professional (RDP), other members of the design team, and all other construction trade contractors where projects have other aspects to the work in addition to electrical. For such projects, DOB only requires the submission of a separate electrical permit application. When an electrical permit application by the Licensed Electrical Contractor includes a large electrical installation (see classifications of large installations under electrical plan examination listed below) or requires NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) compliance, such an electrical permit application must reference the general project application number for permit issuance.

Typically, there is very limited electrical work involved in deck or porch projects. Electrical construction documents are not required to be submitted by a Registered Design Professional to DOB as part of the electrical or general permit application. However, a licensed and registered electrician must file such electrical applications.

  • Energy Conservation Code Compliance. Any impact by the installation of a deck or porch on the existing building thermal envelope must be addressed in the general permit application. At a minimum, per NYCECC R402, the energy efficiency of the building thermal envelope cannot be decreased because of any work involved in installing the porch or deck

When you need to hire a Registered Design Professional or a General Contractor to obtain a permit

If the deck and porch project is comprised of aspects of work exceeding what is allowed above, then a Registered Design Professional must submit construction plans, for approval by the Department, prior to obtaining a work permit.

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