Build-out and occupancy permits in New York City

Plan review, building and occupancy approvals for the space. New York City has 2 filings on this. None of them has a fixed government fee and 2 fees are set by the space or the business.

Updated October 21, 20262 filingsSources: the agencies' own sitesSources checked October 21, 2026

Fees and timelines at a glance

Filing	Agency	Government fee	How long
Certificate of Occupancy for the use	NYC Department of Buildings	Varies	DOB doesn't publish a processing time for a Certificate of Occupancy; staff review the request in DOB NOW: Build and issue the CO once every sign-off and requirement is in.
Building permit for the build-out (DOB alteration)	NYC Department of Buildings	Varies	Not listed

Certificate of Occupancy for the use

NYC Department of BuildingsNew York City

Check the space's existing CO allows your use; a change of use needs an alteration filing and an amended CO.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
DOB doesn't publish a processing time for a Certificate of Occupancy; staff review the request in DOB NOW: Build and issue the CO once every sign-off and requirement is in.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Building permit for the build-out (DOB alteration)

NYC Department of BuildingsNew York City

Department of Buildings work permits are required for most construction; a registered design professional (PE or RA) files the alteration in DOB NOW: Build, and a change of use also amends the Certificate of Occupancy.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal

File on the agency's site How to fill it

Guides for each business in New York City

Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides

Get the plan for your business in New York City

This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
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