How much does a DOB permit cost in New York City?

DOB permit costs scale with reported construction value plus a stack of fixed trade fees, environmental sign-offs, and filing-representative charges. A $125K apartment remodel typically lands at $6K-$14K in DOB-related soft costs alone — and that is before the contractor's overhead and the building's alteration deposit.

The core fee is the plan-exam charge, set under NYC Administrative Code §28-112.1 and the DOB Filing Fees Schedule, currently 1.25% of reported work value (with a $200 minimum on Alt-2 filings). On a $125K kitchen, that is $1,562. Trade-permit fees layer on top under §28-112.2: typically $120-$680 per discipline depending on scope (electrical via DOB NOW: Electrical, plumbing/gas via DOB NOW: Plumbing LAA, sprinkler/standpipe if applicable, fire suppression).

Environmental and pre-construction sign-offs are required before DOB will issue the permit. ACP5 asbestos pre-investigation is mandatory under 15 RCNY Chapter 1 for any building permit where demolition or renovation could disturb pre-1987 building materials — typical cost $450-$1,200 for a single apartment. XRF lead-paint testing under HPD Local Law 31 of 2020 is required in any pre-1960 unit where a child under six lives or visits — $350-$800. If lead is found, abatement adds materially.

Filing-representative and expeditor fees are not DOB charges but are unavoidable in practice. A licensed Class 2 filing rep handles the DOB NOW submission, schedule changes, objections, and TR1/TR8 special-inspection coordination — typical retainers $2K-$8K for a standard Alt-2, more if LPC review or multiple objection cycles are likely. Some Registered Architects bundle filing into their fee; many do not.

For co-ops and condos, add the alteration deposit ($5K-$50K, refundable upon punchlist), the building's engineering-review fee ($1K-$3K if structural), and the additional-insured endorsement on the contractor's general liability policy.

For 4+ unit buildings, the contractor must also be DOB-registered as a General Contractor under 1 RCNY §104-09 — a separate $300 biennial fee plus a $25,000 surety bond.