It depends on what you change. Cosmetic work usually needs no permit. Moving plumbing, adding electrical outlets or adding a bathroom does. And some work needs no permit but still has to be done by a licensed professional. Here is how the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) splits it.
Usually no permit
The DOB’s guide to whether a project needs a permit lists work that does not need one, including:
- painting and plastering
- installing new cabinets
- resurfacing floors
- replacing plumbing fixtures
No permit does not mean no license. A contractor who installs cabinets or resurfaces floors for you must hold a Home Improvement Contractor license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
No permit, but a licensed plumber
Ordinary plumbing work, such as replacing a toilet, sink or tub, does not need a permit, but the DOB says it must be done by a Licensed Master Plumber, who reports the work to the Department. A master plumber can also do limited plumbing alterations. Beyond that limit, a registered architect or engineer has to file permit documents with the DOB.
Needs a permit
The DOB’s page on renovating kitchens and bathrooms says most of these renovations need an Alteration Type 2 (ALT2) application, filed by a licensed professional engineer or registered architect. Its examples include:
- adding a new bathroom
- rerouting gas pipes and adding electrical outlets
- moving a load-bearing wall
Electrical work has its own rule. The DOB says an electrical permit is required for most electrical work, and the work must be done by an electrical contractor licensed by the Department of Buildings. That includes new outlets, new circuits and new wiring for lights or an exhaust fan.
What happens if you skip it
Work done without a required permit is illegal. The DOB says it can lead to a Class 1 violation with fines of up to $25,000, and the work may have to be legalized or removed. It can also cause problems later, for example when you sell.
If you live in a co-op or condo
Your building has its own rules on top of the city’s. Most boards want an alteration agreement, plans for anything beyond cosmetic work, and certificates of insurance from every contractor, even for jobs the city does not require a permit for. See our guide to co-op alteration agreements in Riverdale.
Before you hire
- Ask the contractor to tell you in writing which permits the job needs. For home improvement work, city rules require the contractor to tell you before you sign.
- Check every license: home improvement contractors with the city’s consumer agency, plumbers and electricians with the Department of Buildings. Our guide shows how to check a contractor’s license in NYC.
- For a bigger job, ask who the engineer or architect will be and who will file with the DOB.
- Renovating the kitchen too? See which kitchen work needs a permit.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Every building is different, so for your project ask a licensed engineer or architect, or your DOB borough office.
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