Several DOB NOW updates were announced in early January 2026 – most going into effect later in the month. Many expand the offerings available in DOB NOW, continuing the agency’s move away from paper forms and processes.
Here’s a quick rundown of all the updates, with links to each Service Notice.
Sidewalk Shed Updates
As of January 26, 2026 (the effective date for most of the below updates), all sidewalk shed permits issued or renewed will expire every 90 days, and no longer auto-renew. Per the Service Notice:
- All sidewalk shed permits issued or renewed on or after January 26, 2026, will have a maximum duration of 90 days and will not auto-renew.
- Payment of the renewal fee of $130 will be required for each renewal.
- All permits issued before January 26, 2026, will expire as they would have prior to the launch.
Additionally, applicants for sidewalk sheds on building types “3-family or other” will be required to answer a new scope of work question: “Is the Sidewalk Shed installed in connection with New Building, Enlargement, or Demolition work for which a permit has been issued?”
Answering “No” will require the applicant to answer additional questions as part of the PW1. An RDP will also be required to answer questions as a Stakeholder for the PW2. This follows Local Laws 48 and 51 of 2025, and is part of the city’s sweeping efforts towards getting sheds down.
Construction Cost Reporting
Starting 1/26, applicants can report the estimated project cost on the Initial filing in DOB NOW. Per the Service Notice:
If the entire job cost is reported on the Initial filing, no further cost reporting is required. If the entire job cost is not included on the Initial filing, the Cost Affidavit (PW3) must be completed on the subsequent filing to account for the remaining work types.
Fee Updates
New fees will be calculated based on the construction cost reported on the filings:
- 1/26: New Alteration Job filings; fees shown here
- 1/26: Alt-CO – New Buildings, Full Demolition, AHV permits; fees shown here
Loft Board Requests & Condo/Co-Op Boards
Condo/Co-Op boards will be added as stakeholders in DOB NOW depending on the owner type. Per the DOB, “The Board’s representative will be required to attest that the Board has authorized the applicant to file the application.” Get more details here, in the Service Notice.
Additionally, Loft Board requests will be submitted in DOB NOW – you can view the process here.
Sustainability Violations
The only update that’s in place now (and not coming January 26th) is for Benchmarking and Retro-Commissioning violation civil penalty payments. Teams will need to log in to pay outstanding civil penalties and clear these violations, per the instructions.
With DOB NOW continuing to expand (and the rollout of more processes from recent new laws) this isn’t the last update we’ll see here. Stay tuned for more DOB NOW news.
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