Installing Solar? Here's How the DOB Calculates Your Solar Permit Fees
So you’re ready to install solar in NYC. Navigating through the multi-step Department of Buildings (DOB) processes can be overwhelming, and Sologistics is here to help. Today we are discussing the DOB’s fee calculations for solar PV installations. We hope that this information sheds some light on how the NYC DOB calculates solar project fees. The following fee structures are categorized by building type.
Solar Permit Application Filing Fees
The DOB requires that solar permit filing fees be calculated at a minimum of $3/Watt. Any project that does not meet this requirement will trigger a contract review by the DOB.
All applications carry a Minimum filing fee and Record Management Fee
One, two, or three-family dwelling - $130 and $45 respectively
All other buildings/structures - $225 and $165 respectively
There is a convenience fee of 2% of the total payment amount for credit card transactions due. There is no convenience fee for online e-checks, though online e-checks can take up to 10 business days to be processed.
A. Solar permit applications fees for one-family, two-family, or three-family dwellings
*Note* All solar applications are filed as “Alteration Type 2” applications
Minimum filing fee ($130) for the first five thousand dollars, or fraction thereof, of the cost of alteration;
plus $2.60 for each additional one thousand dollars, or fraction thereof, of the cost of alterations, in excess of five thousand dollars.
Example: Project cost: $25,000
Permit Application Fee calculation = (( 25 - 5 )* 2.6 ) + 130 = $182 + Record Management Fee ($45) = $227
B. Solar permit applications fees for all other buildings/structures
*Note* All solar applications are filed as “Alteration Type 2” applications as specified by Local Law 56:
The following buildings types share the same fee structure:
“Alterations in all other buildings and structures fewer than 7 stories and less than 100,000 square feet, including but not limited to aerial towers and masts, tank structures, fire escapes, etc., which are unoccupied and not easily valued by area.”
“Alterations in all other buildings and structures 7 stories or more, or 100,000 square feet or more, classified in occupancy group R-2, which are unoccupied and not easily valued by area, where at least 50 percent of the occupancy units are affordable to households whose income is less than 165 percent of the area median income for New York City, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or successor agency, and which are financed entirely or in part by a grant or loan from the City of New York or the New York City Housing and Development Corporation.”
“Alteration work permit: Alterations in all other buildings and structures 7 stories or more, or 100,000 square feet or more, including but not limited to aerial towers and masts, tank structures, fire escapes, etc., which are unoccupied and not easily valued by area.”
Fee Structure for buildings described above
Minimum filing fee ($225) for the first three thousand dollars, or fraction thereof, of the cost of alteration;
plus $10.30 for each one thousand dollars, or fraction thereof, of the alteration cost in excess of three thousand dollars.
Example: Project cost: $100,000
Permit Application Fee calculation = (( 100 - 3)* 10.3 ) + 225 = $1,224.10 + Record Management Fee ($165) = $1,389.10
Post Approval Amendments
Beginning Monday, March 15, 2021, even minor plan changes after plan approval will require submission as a Post Approval Amendment (PAA). An AI1 form for minor plan changes can no longer be submitted to the DOB after plan approval unless submitted as a PAA. It is important to note that each PAA comes with a $100 minimum PAA fee. As a result, we encourage you to avoid any minor plan changes post plan approval as they will now incur this additional fee (as well as potential time delays). Sologistics can work with you on process improvements to mitigate the risk of post-approval plan changes, be they major or minor.
The Sologistics Benefit
Sologistics prides itself on facilitating a clear understanding of DOB project costs for our clients. We focus on providing cost transparency upfront to allow our clients the peace of mind of accurate project cost forecasting. Looking to streamline your solar installation and pricing calculations in the greater NYC area? Connect with us to save time and energy on your solar project. Our competitive service pricing is available upon request.
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