Department of Environmental Protection

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health, critical quality of life issues, and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution.

DEP permits include:

• Hydrant Use Permit: If you need a water source at your event and there is a hydrant nearby with proper water basins for drainage, you can tap the hydrant with approval from DEP.
• Generator Registration: If you plan to use a generator that is 40KW or greater, you are required to register your generator with DEP. The purpose of this certificate of operation or registration is to identify various sources of equipment that burn fuel and insure that they are maintained properly to produce the least amount of pollution possible.

Other non-permit interaction with DEP may include:

• You may need to work with DEP if you are having an event in the NYC waterways. Whenever swimmers will be entering the water, DEP assists in measuring bacterial levels to ensure that the water is safe.
• Noise complaints are a common quality of life issue for New York City residents. If a component of your event is outdoors and receives community complaints for excessive sound, DEP will work with you to resolve the issue so you do not receive a sound violation. Loud noises could come from music, generators, light towers, or load in and load out of events.