Owe $25,000 or more in fines or fees? Your New Building or ALT-CO permit may get denied

Local Law 160

As of March 1st, 2021 , Local Law 160 of 2017 allows the DOB to deny New Building and Alteration-CO (formerly Alteration Type 1) permits in DOB NOW: Build if the building owes $25,000 or more in covered arrears to the City, or if the owners of the property together owe $25,000 or more in covered arrears to the City.

Wait, what are “covered arrears”?

Good question! As per the City’s definition, “Covered arrears” may include any of the following that are not currently in the appeals process: civil penalties, unpaid fines, or judgments entered by a court or OATH pursuant to Chapter 2 of Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code; and unpaid and past due fees or other charges assessed by DOB.

Owners attestation

Owners will be required to address this in the Owner’s Attestation on the PW-1 section within DOB NOW: Build. They will need to indicate that they do not owe, in aggregate, $25,000 or more in covered arrears to the City, and that there are not $25,000 or more in covered arrears owed to the City with respect to the property for which the permit is being sought.

Owners who answer 'Yes' to one or both of the questions will not be allowed to request a permit in DOB NOW: Build for a New Building or Alteration-CO filing unless they certify that one of the exceptions listed in Local Law 160 of 2017 applies.

Want to know if your building will have an issue?

As always, we’re here to help with any questions you have about filings or other DOB concerns. Reach out to us today at https://greenlightexpediting.com/contact.