DOB Announces End of Automatic Extensions

By Penny Laughlin

It’s official. The automatic extensions granted for licenses/registrations and permits in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire. In addition, any licenses/registrations and permits issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) with an original expiration date of August 7, 2020, or later will expire on the original date.

As New York pivoted to provide virtual services, Mayoral Emergency Executive Order No. 107 and subsequent orders, in addition to Local Law 57 of 2020, automatically granted extensions to licenses/registrations and permits through August 6, 2020. Affected licenses/registrations and permits will expire based on the following schedule.

Original (Pre-COVID 19) Expiration Date               Final Extension Date

March 12, 2020 – March 31, 2020                                        September 30, 2020
April 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020                                               October 31, 2020
May 1, 2020 – May 31, 2020                                                  November 30, 2020
June 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020                                               December 31, 2020
July 1, 2020 – August 6, 2020                                               January 31, 2020

Naturally, licensees/registrants remain subject to all requirements for renewal applications, and they must satisfy all renewal requirements before submitting the application. Also, any required insurance policies must remain in effect during the extension period.

Permits and Renewal Expiration Dates

Don’t forget—expiration dates for licenses/registrations affect permit registration dates. Renew your licenses/registrations before applying for permit renewals.

Applications to renew licenses/registrations and permits must be submitted on time, based on their original term. Expiration dates will be based on original expiration dates upon renewal. In addition, late renewal application deadlines will be based on the original expiration dates, except for Master and Special Electricians. Late renewal deadlines for Master and Special Electricians will be based on the final extension date.

For instance, a Master Plumber license that originally expired on April 15, 2020, will be extended to October 31, 2020. Upon renewal, the new license will expire on April 15, 2023, not October 31, 2023. Also, the late renewal deadline will be April 15, 2021, not October 31, 2021.

A Master Electrician license with an original expiration date of May 5, 2020, will be extended until November 30, 2020. Upon renewal, the license will expire on May 5, 2021, not November 30, 2021. The late renewal deadline will be February 28, 2021.

DOB strongly recommends that eligible licensees/registrants who can satisfy renewal requirements for licenses/registrations and permits to begin the renewal process immediately.

If you have any questions or need assistance with securing renewals, please call Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.