The city’s Buildings Department has shaved another layer off the process of submitting plans for minor projects.
On Monday, Commissioner Robert LiMandri announced that digital construction plans for all minor construction projects can now be submitted to the NYC Development Hub for a virtual review.
Filing representatives and design professionals will be able to collaborate virtually for large Alteration Type-2 and Alteration Type-3 projects, which include home renovations, construction fences, and scaffolding.
“Thanks to the expanded NYC Development Hub, any construction project in New York City can be approved from the comfort of your own office,” said Commissioner LiMandri.
“It is no longer necessary for industry members to visit our offices in order to submit paper plans and other documents.
“Whether you’re constructing a new building or renovating a kitchen, architects and engineers can have their plans reviewed by our plan examiners with the click of a button. The Department has completely digitized the approval process for construction permits.”
More than 50,000 applications for minor construction are received by the Department each year, and the online approach is expected to save the construction industry tens of millions of dollars associated with in-person visits to Department offices.
Since 2011, the Development Hub has accepted digital plans for new building and Alteration Type-1 projects, which are considered major construction.
Approvals for those projects have been issued up to three times faster than paper-based plans submitted to one of the Department’s borough offices.
In 2012, the Department launched Hub Self-Service, under which licensed architects and engineers can professionally certify plans for small construction projects online.
Since then, more than 8,191 permits have been electronically issued to design professionals using Hub Self-Service.
The addition of Hub Full-Service is designed to give property owners and their representatives the option to electronically submit plans, collaborate with the Department through virtual plan reviews, and receive permits online.
