As per the DOB – Filing Representative training courses will be extended through December 31, 2014.   The training requirement for Class 1 applicants is 16 hours. The training requirement for Class 2 applicants is 36 hours. Please review the Filing Representative rule 1 RCNY 104-24 for more information on training requirements. Affidavit Required for Incomplete Training: Filing Representatives who have not completed their training requirements by June 30, 2014 are required by the Department, upon application for the 2014 renewal, to complete the affidavit located on our website stating that he or she agrees to complete the training requirements for Class 1 (16 hours) or Class 2 (36 hours) by December 31, 2014, and acknowledging that his or her registration may not be renewed on July 1, 2015 if the training requirements are not completed by December 31, 2014. 2014 renewal applications and supporting documentation, including the affidavit, will be accepted starting May 1, 2014. Completed Training Requirements: Filing Representatives who have completed all training requirements for Class 1 (16 hours) or Class 2 (36 hours) can begin to apply for their renewal starting April 30, 2014 without completing an affidavit. Training Course Details:...

Energy Code Compliance Reviews: New Procedures + Fees for NB and Alt1 Applications As per the DOB beginning January 13, 2014, all New Building and Alteration Type-1 applications will include a $220 review fee to reinforce compliance with the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC / Energy Code). Submitting NB and Alt- 1 Applications for Energy Code Review An additional set of drawings must be included with the application. If an additional set is not provided, the submission will not be processed. Energy Code review will be performed concurrently with the review for NYC Building Code and Zoning Resolution compliance. Objections for non-compliance with the Energy Code will be issued in conjunction with other objections and must be resolved prior to approval. Alteration Type-2 and Type-3 projects that are subject to the NYCECC will continue to be subject to an Energy Code review by random audit. For more Energy Code information, including documentation requirements for compliance and typical objections, please visit the Energy Code Guidelines page under the Codes & Reference section of the Department’s...

January 17, 2014 As of Monday, January 13th, 2014 the Department of Buildings will charge a 2.49% convenience fee for all credit card transactions made in person or online. This fee, which is paid directly to the credit card company, will appear as a separate charge on credit card statements. Please note the DOB accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. An alternative method of payment will be eChecks. Unlike credit card transactions, eChecks carry NO convenience fee and can ONLY be utilized for projects filed online. In order to utilize this online service, you must have the following information available: Bank Routing Number; and Bank Account...

Construction Embargoes A friendly reminder to our fellow filing reps that the DOT has issued the following construction embargoes for NYC Superbowl 2014! Please share this with other respected industry professionals. The following is as per the DOT website: DOT imposes construction embargoes during significant special events, including the New York City Marathon, parades, and for the winter holiday season. During embargoes, all active permits in the affected area(s) are suspended and no new permits may be approved, unless a waiver for the work is granted by DOT.Read more about embargoes in the Street Works Manual 2014 NFL Super Bowl XLVIII Construction Embargo 2014 NFL Super Bowl XLVIII Construction Embargo A Special Event Construction embargo is in effect for the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII. During the dates and locations noted below only emergency work (this includes utility manhole openings) may be performed provided an emergency number is received from the New York City Department of Transportation. Any non-emergency permits issued prior to the date of this notice, are hereby suspended for the dates and locations noted below. Please note that this embargo only applies to NYCDOT construction permits. There will be strict enforcement of this embargo and violators are subject to be summonsed. All permittees must comply with this embargo unless a special waiver is granted by the Office of Special Events and/or OCMC. Waiver requests must be filed by December 31, 2013 with Office of Special Events (specialevents@dot.nyc.gov) by filing a “Request for Waiver of Special Event Construction Embargo” and submitting supporting documentation. Waiver requests should only be submitted for critical reasons for a specific project. Waiver request forms may be obtained at any Permit Office or on the Department’s website at:http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dot-special-event-construction-embargo-waiver.pdf. Prior to this embargo period all necessary measures must be taken so that all roadways and sidewalks are in proper condition to allow for the expeditious and safe movement of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. See map. The embargoed dates and locations are as follows: I. Super Bowl Boulevard Area Date(s): 12:01 AM, Wednesday, January 15 through 11:59 PM, Tuesday, February 4, 2014 Manhattan Location(s): Area bounded by; 48th Street on the North, 31st Street on the South, 6th Avenue/Broadway on the East, 8th Avenue on the West, All inclusive Area...

January 2, 2014 ***WARNING: INCLEMENT WEATHER ADVISORY*** DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY STEPS IN PREPARATION OF HEAVY SNOWFALL AND GUSTS OF HIGH WIND The National Weather Service is forecasting 6 to 8 inches of snowfall and gusts of wind up to 35 mph for the New York City area from Thursday, January 2 through Friday, January 3, 2014. In preparation for the inclement weather, the Department is reminding all builders, contractors, and property owners to secure their construction sites and buildings. The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the City. If sites are not safely secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action with the issuance of violations and Stop Work Orders if necessary. These winds may reach higher speeds than forecast depending on the area of the City. Property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings. To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following: • Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites. • Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather. • Store loose tools, oil cans and extra fuses in a tool box. • Secure netting, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds. • Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater. • Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise. • Brace and secure construction fences. • Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site. Buildings Bulletin 2010-019 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites. To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following: • Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as...

November 1, 2013 ***WARNING: INCLEMENT WEATHER ADVISORY*** DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY STEPS IN PREPARATION OF POSSIBLE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND HIGH WINDS   The National Weather Service forecasts possible high winds with gusts up to 45 mph for the New York City area on Friday, November 1, 2013. In preparation for the windy weather, the Department is reminding all builders, contractors, and property owners to secure their construction sites and buildings. The Department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the City. If sites are not safely secured, the Department will take immediate enforcement action with the issuance of violations and Stop Work Orders if necessary.   These winds may reach higher speeds than forecast depending on the area of the City. Property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The Department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings.   To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:   • Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites. • Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather. • Store loose tools, oil cans and extra fuses in a tool box. • Secure netting, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds. • Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater. • Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise. • Brace and secure construction fences. • Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.   Buildings Bulletin 2010-019 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites.   To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:   • Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants,...