Proposals that include structural design changes will require PAA approval in addition to an AI1 form.
Data entry changes are required when certain aspects of the BIS need to be changed, including alterations to the scope of work, any additional items required or Schedule A/B updates. PAA with data entry changes typically cost applicants $100 to cover processing expenses.
Forms required to process PAA in this category include:
To file a PAA with data entry changes, applicants need to adhere to the following steps:
The approval process differs depending on the type of application. Standard plans — including the drawings, AI1 form and PAA document — will be approved by the examiner directly in the BIS. If applications are professionally certified, the window clerk is responsible for granting PAA approval. All PAA changes will automatically overwrite the original documentation upon approval.
Beginning on Mar. 15, 2021, New York City now requires all changes to construction plans — including minor ones — to receive PAA approval. This is critical information for construction professionals to know as any minor adjustments could cause serious — and costly delays — down the road.
In addition to the above requirement, Solo AI1 forms are no longer accepted in eFiling for minor changes, effective Mar. 15. Instead, construction professionals need to submit a PW1 application in addition to an AI1 Additional Information form, including plan changes in the "Comments" section, according to Decoder.
Applicants have a number of post-approval options in addition to changing the design scope of their initial project. These include:
In the event that construction professionals need to change key portions of their permit application, including the applicant of record, the filing rep or the owner, they're required to file a PW1 form in order to supersede previously supplied information. Requirements vary in different parts of the city. For example, in Manhattan, superseding requests do not require PAA documents or additional fee payments.
Permits are only valid for a certain amount of time. If the expiration of the building permit has lapsed, applicants could be required to refile their building applications and pay a fee. Fee payments depend on the specific conditions of the reinstatement.
If less than one year has passed since the approval of the project but no permit was ever approved, no reinstatement fee is required, regardless of the status of the permit or project. Fees also won't be required if a permit was approved and less than a year has passed since approval.
Reinstatement fees might be waived in other circumstances as well. If more than a year has passed since the permit expired — but the applicant can demonstrate that they took action in the intervening period — they won't be required to pay the fee.
Applicants are required to pay a $100 reinstatement fee if more than a year has passed since the approval of the project, but less than two, if no permit was approved, as long as the reinstatement includes no code or zoning changes. Builders who received a permit approval under the same conditions and time constraints are also required to pay the $100 fee.
Additionally, if more than two years have passed since the permit expired, construction professionals will be required to pay the $100 fee if work sign-offs are the only proposed changes.
Except for the above conditions, applicants will be required to refile the entire job application if it's been more than two years since the expiration of the job approval. This includes projects that include code and zoning changes, projects of which also require the applicant to pay the full filing fee.
If the project has been altered sufficiently that the initial application no longer reflects the scope of the project, applicants can withdraw either a portion or the entire application. Applicants can withdraw their applications even after an approval decision has been made. The Department of Buildings will inspect applications in which the permit was withdrawn to ensure work had not started.
As of March 15, 2021, solo AI-1 forms cannot be submitted post-approval in eFiling for minor changes, unless submitted as part of a PAA. Outlined below is how to approve minor changes:
Once the PAA status is PAA Fee Due, pay the fee in eFiling using the Express Cashier Payments module.
For professional certification jobs, upload a completed PW1 form that indicates Okay for Approval in eFiling and select Approval for PAA.
For resubmission of a standard plan review job, submit in eFiling as Minor Plan Change/PAA.
As of Monday, March 15, 2021, an AI1 for minor plan changes cannot be submitted to the DOB help form for jobs after approval. Outlined below is how to approve minor changes:
Post-approval amendments are a necessary step in the building process for many construction professionals. Skipping this step could cause long project delays that could have a negative long-term effect on the project's completion. For that reason, it's important builders have the right team of permit advisers on their side.
With more than three decades of experience, our team of consultants and permit advisers at Milrose has the tools and expertise to help construction professionals navigate the complicated permit approval process. We work with clients to ensure their projects get approved and completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
