Plan check guide · New York City
In New York City, plan examiners at the Department of Buildings issue objections rather than correction sheets, and every filing runs through DOB NOW: Build. This guide collects what DOB publishes about review paths, the codes in force, resolving objections, and the minimum drawing content examiners expect.
In New York City, the Department of Buildings (DOB) reviews construction documents filed in DOB NOW: Build, either through standard plan examination or through Professional Certification, where a licensed engineer or architect certifies compliance and DOB plan exam is skipped. Projects filed on or after November 7, 2022 follow the 2022 NYC Construction Codes; examiners issue objections, which the applicant marks resolved with comments and re-submits.
New York City at a glance
| Question | What the official source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who reviews building plans? | DOB plan examiners, with approvals from FDNY, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Environmental Protection, City Planning, and other agencies when the work requires them. | DOB NOW Application User Guide (Version 1, updated 11.15.23) |
| Which code applies? | The 2022 NYC Construction Codes, enacted by Local Law 126 of 2021, apply to projects filed on or after November 7, 2022. | Buildings Bulletin 2022-007 (May 10, 2022) |
| Which energy code applies? | Applications filed on or after March 30, 2026 must comply with the 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code or 2025 NYC ASHRAE 90.1. | Buildings Bulletin 2026-005 (February 17, 2026) |
| How are plans filed? | Online in DOB NOW: Build. Each plan sheet shows the job number with its filing extension at the lower right, and professionals sign electronically. | DOB NOW: Build Frequently Asked Questions |
| How long does review take? | The Mayor’s Management Report publishes averages, not commitments: in the first four months of Fiscal 2026, first plan review took 10.0 days for new buildings and 4.2 days for minor renovations. | Preliminary Mayor's Management Report Fiscal 2026 – Department of Buildings |
| How do I resolve objections? | Mark each open objection Resolved with comments on the Objections tab, sign again, and re-submit. The examiner does not review the filing again until you do. | DOB NOW: Build Frequently Asked Questions |
Sources reviewed September 12, 2026. Requirements change; confirm the current version with NYC Department of Buildings.
Who reviews
DOB reviews the construction documents, and other agencies approve parts of many filings. Several of those approvals are required before DOB can approve the job.
Reviews plans for fire alarm, fire suppression and rangehood systems, in-building auxiliary radio systems, Fire Code variances, and performance-based designs. These applications are filed online through FDNY Business.
For designated landmark properties, LPC approval is required for work proposed under the DOB application, and LPC-approved drawings must be submitted before the DOB NOW filing.
House or Site Connection Proposals certify that existing sewers can take a site's sanitary and storm flow. Required for new sewer connections and for alterations that increase flow.
For New Building, Alt-CO or enlargement work disturbing at least 20,000 sq ft of soil or creating 5,000+ sq ft of impervious surface, a DEP Stormwater Construction Permit is required before approval.
If work needs a CPC special permit, authorization or certification, the CPC calendar number is entered in DOB NOW. The user guide points to DCP's ZoLa for zoning map information.
When work depends on a BSA variance or special permit, a permit may be issued once BSA approves. The BSA calendar number is entered on the DOB NOW filing.
The PC1 required-items checklist includes DOT revocable consent for sidewalk encroachments, plus DOT sidewalk, curb and roadway permits tied to Builders Pavement Plans.
Review paths
A DOB plan examiner reviews the construction documents for compliance with the construction codes and zoning. The review type chosen at filing cannot be changed after submission.
A PE or RA certifies that the plans comply with all applicable laws, so DOB plan examination is skipped. Must be chosen at pre-filing. PAAs must also be professionally certified, and 20 percent are audited after the first permit.
Pro Cert is restricted for a year after a work-without-permit violation (LL 158/17). On pro cert NB/Alt-CO jobs a plan examiner still reviews the Schedule of Occupancy, and reviews zoning on enlargements.
Voluntary program for new buildings of 20+ stories or 500,000 sq ft, and for large enlargements. It starts with a DOB NOW Pre-Development Consultation with a Development HUB project advocate. Fee is $50,000, or $25,000 for affordable housing.
Fiscal 2025 averages for completing first plan review in DOB NOW: 6.3 days for new buildings, 6.0 for major renovations (Alt-CO), 3.2 for minor renovations. Filing to approval averaged about 20 days, mostly time spent with the applicant. (source) First four months of Fiscal 2026: first plan review averaged 10.0 days (new buildings), 9.2 (major renovations) and 4.2 (minor renovations) in DOB NOW. Filing to approval averaged 23.6 days. (source) Once plans are approved, the user guide says permits can currently be obtained within two business days of the request. (source)
What DOB asks for
DOB does not publish a list of common objections. These items come from DOB’s minimum drawing requirements for plan examination, its drawing standards, the ZD1 guide, the Next Day Review guidelines, and Buildings Bulletins. Several of those guides predate DOB NOW and the 2022 codes. Paraphrased from the department’s published documents, grouped by topic. The documents do not rank items by how often they are issued.
| Topic | What the published document asks for | Code cited | Sheets that usually change | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code analysis | Code classification, energy analysis, inspection lists, lot diagram and zoning analysis go on the title sheet or the sheets right after it. | — | Title sheet and following code/zoning sheets | Drawing Standards for Plan/Work Applications – Drawing set hierarchy |
| Code analysis | Provide a full zoning analysis of use, bulk, parking and required street trees, with floor area tabulated per floor and box diagrams. | — | Zoning analysis sheet; floor area diagrams | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.2 Zoning |
| Occupant load and egress width | Egress calculations give each floor's area, occupancy classification, space per occupant, occupant load and number of exits, and show exit widths and capacities. | — | Floor plans; life safety/egress plans | Plan Exam Guidelines for Next Day Review – All Floor Plans, item A.09 Egress Calculations |
| Travel distance and common path | Floor plans must show maximum travel distances, including dead ends and common path of egress. | — | Floor plans; life safety/egress plans | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.4.1 Floor Plans (Egress) |
| Number and separation of exits | The NDR floor plan checklist asks for the number of exits on each floor and two means of egress, with accessibility on the first floor. | — | Floor plans; life safety/egress plans | Plan Exam Guidelines for Next Day Review – item A.09 Egress Calculations |
| Stairs, handrails, and guards | Include stair plans and stair sections with handrail and guard details, including guards at balconies and atriums. | — | Stair plans, building sections, details | Plan Examination Guidelines – Sections 2.4.1 (Egress) and 2.4.3 Building Sections |
| Fire-rated assemblies | Floor plans show fire-resistance ratings of walls, roofs, floors and doors, and building sections show fire ratings of floors, walls and roof. | — | Floor plans, building sections, wall type sheets | Plan Examination Guidelines – Sections 2.4.1 (Fire safety / Code Analysis) and 2.4.3 |
| Rated openings and penetrations | Provide firestopping details, and show the location and size of vertical shafts, including garbage and linen chutes, with their fire rating details. | — | Floor plans, detail sheets | Plan Examination Guidelines – Sections 2.4.4 Detail Drawings and 2.4.1 (Miscellaneous Code Items) |
| Accessible toilet rooms | Enlarged accessible kitchen and bathroom diagrams must dimension clearances, show grab bars and turning circles, and include plan and elevation views. | — | Enlarged plans and interior elevations | Plan Exam Guidelines for Next Day Review – items G.41 to G.45 |
| Special inspection | Structural drawings must identify special inspections, list all progress inspections, and include TR-2 and TR-3 waiver statements where they apply. | — | General notes; structural notes | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.5 Structural Drawings (General; Notes) |
| Sheet coordination | Each drawing set needs a discipline-sorted index whose sheet numbers and titles match the sheets, plus legends for materials, symbols and abbreviations. | — | Title/cover sheet (drawing index, legends) | Drawing Standards for Plan/Work Applications – Drawing Set Standards |
| Allowable height and area | The ZD1 axonometric diagram dimensions building height, street wall heights and setbacks, and cites the governing Zoning Resolution section for each. | — | ZD1 zoning diagram; building elevations and sections | Zoning Diagram (ZD1) Guide – Axonometric Diagram Requirements |
| Accessible route and entrances | Show accessibility compliance, including accessible entrances and accessible route elements such as doors, ramps, elevators and wheelchair lifts. | — | Floor plans; accessibility diagrams | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.4.1 Floor Plans (Accessibility) |
| Structural calculations and signatures | Structural drawings name materials and show framing plans with member sizes and spacing, column schedules, and design loads: live, snow, wind, earthquake and flood. | — | Structural plans, schedules, general notes | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.5 Structural Drawings |
| Geotechnical report | Earthwork, foundation, excavation support and structural filings need a Geotechnical Report before approval unless exempt. Some new buildings also need geotechnical peer review. | BC 1803.6; BC 1818.2 | Foundation and support-of-excavation drawings; report uploaded as a required document | DOB NOW Application User Guide – Additional Considerations (Earthwork, Foundation, Support of Excavation, Structural questions) |
| Energy compliance | NB and Alteration filings need a professional statement, energy progress inspection requirements, an energy analysis, and supporting documents for envelope, mechanical, lighting and other requirements. | 1 RCNY 5000-01 (as cited in bulletin) | EN-series energy sheets; architectural, mechanical and electrical supporting sheets | Buildings Bulletin 2026-005 – Section V table footnote |
| Energy compliance | Commercial job applications must calculate total proposed heating and cooling equipment capacity and document it on an EN-labeled sheet. | 1 RCNY §5000-01(g); C408.2 | EN-series energy sheets; mechanical equipment schedules | How-to Guide: Supporting Documentation (2025 NYCECC), Other Requirements – System Commissioning |
| Plumbing fixture count | Show all proposed and existing plumbing fixture locations, water service and drain/vent pipe sizes, meter locations, and plumbing riser diagrams. | — | Plumbing plans, riser diagrams, fixture schedules | Plan Examination Guidelines – Sections 2.4.1 (Miscellaneous Code Items) and 2.6 (Plumbing) |
| Fire sprinklers and alarms | Sprinkler drawings show water supply and feed main sizes, head location, spacing and type, and hydraulic data. Street-fed systems need a DEP minimum pressure statement. | — | Sprinkler plans and riser diagrams | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.6 (Fire Protection: Automatic Sprinkler Systems) |
| Site plan information | Site plans show lot lines with segment lengths, street names and widths, distance to nearest hydrant, flood map zone and elevations, and Little E or landmark designations. | — | Site plan; survey | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.3 Site Plans (Site Background Information) |
| Site plan information | The ZD1 site plan diagram labels existing and proposed zoning lot dimensions, lot coverage, lot area, yards and street trees, with Zoning Resolution citations. | ZR 23-32 (residential lot width and lot area, as cited) | ZD1 zoning diagram; site plan | Zoning Diagram (ZD1) Guide – Site Plan Diagram Requirements |
| Other | Every plan sheet filed in DOB NOW: Build must show the job number with its filing extension (I1, S1 or P1) in the lower right corner. | — | All sheets (title block) | DOB NOW: Build FAQs – question on adding the job number to plans |
| Other | Title blocks must match on every sheet, with the RDP's signed seal, a revision block, page numbers and space for DOB approval stamps. Unsealed sets are rejected. | — | All sheets (title block) | Plan Exam Guidelines for Next Day Review – DOB Title Block Standards |
| Other | Structural documents for an enlargement must be filed in the Alt or Alt-CO application that contains the complete zoning analysis, or as its subsequent filing. | AC §28-104.1; BC §107.3; BC §1603.1 | Structural sheets; zoning analysis and lot diagram | Buildings Bulletin 2025-011 – Section IV |
| Other | Under flood zone requirements, alteration filings state whether the work is a substantial improvement. Filings over $40,000 must include a supporting calculation. | BC G201.2; 1 RCNY 3606-01 (as cited) | General notes; flood zone compliance sheet | Plan Examination Guidelines – Section 2.4.1 Floor Plans (Flood Zone Requirements) |
Respond and resubmit
After first review, the examiner creates objections and uploads marked-up plans. The applicant and owner get an email, and the filing goes to Objections status. DOB will not review it again until it is resubmitted. Source
To resubmit, mark each open objection Resolved with comments on the Objections/Appointments tab. Then complete Statements & Signatures again, click Re-Submit, re-apply the e-signature and File. Source
Appointments can be booked only in Objections status, when the examiner says a meeting is required, and only one per round. DOB asks applicants to answer the first round without one. NB/Alt-CO meetings are 40 minutes, Alterations 20. Source
Since August 22, 2025, online plan exam appointments use Microsoft Teams. During an appointment the examiner can approve the filing, open new objections, or reopen resolved ones. Source
Prior to Approval documents can be uploaded while the filing is in Objections status. The examiner cannot approve until each one is accepted, waived or deferred. Source
DOB does not start plan examination on incomplete construction documents. The application is marked Incomplete in DOB NOW, including on Next Day Review filings. Source
To dispute an objection, choose Second Review of Objection under Select Action. If the objection is upheld, file a CCD1/ZRD1 determination ($1,000). Denials can be appealed ($2,500), then taken to BSA. Source
Official documents
Minimum drawing content required before examiners review for code and zoning. Covers general items, zoning, site, architectural, structural, MEP/sprinkler, electrical and energy.
Minimum construction document requirements and a numbered standard drawing checklist (G., A. items) for the Manhattan Next Day Review pilot for simple alterations.
Drawing set hierarchy, index and legends, sheet size and scale, new vs. existing work, PAA clouding, and title block contents.
Site plan and axonometric diagram requirements for the ZD1, required with New Building and Alteration enlargement filings and applicable PAAs.
Y/N checklist of required items by stage (prior to approval, permit, CO/signoff): zoning exhibits, ZD1, TR1/TR8, energy analysis, and other-agency approvals.
DOB NOW: Build required documents, showing the work types each applies to, the stage it is due, and whether it can be waived or deferred.
What drawings must show for 2025 NYCECC items: efficiency credits, permanent certificate, EV-ready outlets, demand response, ERI, and commissioning.
Structural documents for new buildings and enlargements must be filed with the NB or Alt application that contains the zoning analysis.
Which energy code edition applies to NB and Alt applications, what makes a filing complete, and the energy items each application needs.
Required documents, agency approvals, a recommended standard sheet set, and TR1 special inspection lists for residential and community facility projects.
Before you submit
Upload the drawings with the NYC Construction Codes and NYC Energy Conservation Code PDFs that apply to the project. Groundbook compares the sheets with each other and with those references, and links each potential issue to its sources for your team to verify.
Look for incomplete information and conflicting requirements before the first plan check cycle.
Prepare for submissionCompare the stated design with the code and local references you supply.
Review against codesWhich code PDFs to bring, and how Groundbook uses them in a review.
Read the guideQuestions, answered
On the Objections/Appointments tab, mark each open objection Resolved and add comments. Complete Statements & Signatures again, click Re-Submit, re-apply your e-signature and File. The examiner will not look at the filing again until you resubmit.
Only when the job is in Objections status and the examiner has said a meeting is required, and only one appointment per round. DOB asks applicants to answer the first round without one. NB and Alt-CO meetings are 40 minutes; Alteration meetings are 20.
Choose Second Review of Objection under Select Action on the filing. If the objection is upheld, file a CCD1 or ZRD1 determination request ($1,000). A borough denial can be appealed ($2,500), and a Department denial can then go to the Board of Standards and Appeals.
Applications filed on or after March 30, 2026 must meet the 2025 NYCECC or 2025 NYC ASHRAE 90.1. Earlier complete energy submissions stay on the 2020 NYCECC. Earlier filings with an incomplete energy analysis must meet the 2025 edition.
No. Groundbook surfaces potential conflicts and omissions in the drawings you upload, with links to the sources, for your team to verify before submitting. DOB reviews the application and makes every approval decision.
Official source directory
Official agency name
Portal description and link to a810-dobnow.nyc.gov
Objections, Re-Submit, appointments, required documents, job number on plans, DPL-1, pro cert audits
Filing review types, PW1 questions, other-agency required documents, permit timing
Teams appointments (Aug 2025), examiner actions in appointments (May 2024), MPP (Sept 2022), PAA AI1 note (May 2022)
Standard vs. pro cert statuses, LL 158/17 restriction, LPC 40-day hold
Minimum drawing content by discipline; incomplete applications
NDR pilot eligibility, title block standards, numbered drawing checklist
Drawing set hierarchy, index, legends, title block
ZD1 site plan and axonometric diagram requirements
Required items checklist including DOT, HPD, OER, FDNY, LPC items
Outcomes of second review; its email submission step was later moved into DOB NOW per release notes (Oct 30, 2023)
Second Review of Objection action, CCD1/ZRD1 fees, appeal path to BSA
Pro Cert program rules and PAA audit rate
Development HUB, HUB Self-Service, HUB Full-Service (eFiling-era descriptions)
2014 vs. 2022 Construction Codes applicability; LL 126/2021 effective November 7, 2022
EBC enacted January 17, 2026; effective July 17, 2027
2020 vs. 2025 NYCECC applicability; energy submission elements
Energy drawing documentation items
Structural work filing with NB/enlargement applications and zoning analysis
Published plan review averages and pro cert audit counts
First four months of Fiscal 2026 plan review averages
Required documents by stage and waiver/deferral eligibility
FDNY plan review scope and online filing
LPC permit types; uses the phrase self-certification at DOB
House/Site Connection Proposal scope
Required documents and sheet set; cites 2014 codes and 2016 NYCECC, so likely not updated
New York plan review guide · All plan check corrections · Los Angeles plan check · San Francisco plan check · San Diego plan check · San Jose plan check · Seattle plan check
Upload the drawing set with the code and local references that govern it. Groundbook links each potential issue to its sources for your team to verify.