Compliance & Permits

Detail Life-Safety Items in the Drawings Plan reviewers flag missing or vague details on egress windows (net clear opening, sill height), stair geometry (rise/run/headroom), and guards/handrails (height, continuity, fastening). Put full sections and schedules on the sheets—don’t bury them in notes. Structure & Energy Coordination Dormers and reframing require stamped calculations; coordinate header sizes, tie...

Define a Legal Bedroom Upfront A code-compliant attic bedroom hinges on a few non-negotiables: adequate ceiling height over the required portion of the floor area, a proper means of egress (either a compliant stair or an emergency escape and rescue opening with the correct net clear opening and sill height), sufficient natural light and ventilation...

Landmark Review vs. Standard DOB Permits In New York City, homes inside landmark or historic districts require Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) review for exterior changes in addition to Department of Buildings permits. For attic remodels, that commonly implicates dormers, skylights, roof windows, roof cladding, and any change visible from the public way. Interior-only work may...

The Three Usual Suspects Most re-submittals trace back to (1) egress and stair details, (2) structural clarifications for dormers or reframing, and (3) energy code documentation. Provide full stair sections (rise/run/headroom), window schedules with net clear opening, and guard/handrail details with fastening notes. Structural sheets should show header sizes, connections, and any sistering or collar-tie...

Define Habitability Early Before sketching built-ins or finishes, confirm whether your attic can meet habitable-space rules. In NYC, the key driver is minimum ceiling height over a prescribed portion of the floor area (often 7’–7’6″ depending on use and code cycle). On sloped ceilings, only the area above a certain height counts as habitable, so...

Dormers: Structure + Zoning + Energy Yes—habitability changes and any roof enlargement (dormers) generally require DOB permits, stamped drawings, and often zoning review. Common delays arise from incomplete structural calcs (header sizing, rafter ties), unclear fire separation at party walls, and missing energy code details for the new roof/wall assemblies. Egress, Stairs, and Heights Approvals...

Most attic conversions that become habitable space require drawings by a registered design professional and Department of Buildings permits. Key code factors include safe egress (window size/height or code-compliant stairs), guardrails and handrails, minimum ceiling height over the prescribed floor area, stair headroom, fire safety, and energy code compliance for the building envelope. If dormers...

Yes, a licensed general contractor in New York City is qualified to manage Department of Buildings (DOB) permits for kitchen remodeling, provided they coordinate with registered design professionals such as architects or engineers when required. The process begins with assessing the scope: if your renovation involves moving plumbing, gas, or electrical lines, altering walls, or...

The timeline for obtaining kitchen remodeling permits in New York depends on the complexity of the project, the responsiveness of the Department of Buildings (DOB), and any additional requirements from co-op boards or condo associations. For simple projects requiring only minor electrical or plumbing filings, permits may be secured in as little as one to...

In New York City, most significant kitchen renovations require permits, especially if the project involves plumbing, gas, or electrical work. Simple cosmetic updates such as painting, replacing cabinet doors, or swapping appliances of the same type and location typically do not require filings. However, once you move fixtures, add circuits, reconfigure plumbing, or alter walls,...