DOB Announces Filing Requirements for Final Inspections by Registered Design Professionals

By Andrew Pisani

The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) recently expanded upon the requirements of Buildings Bulletin 2018-008. That bulletin, effective August 9, 2018, transferred responsibility for certain final inspections to registered design professionals (RDPs).

Under Directive 14 of 1975, projects that do not require a new or modified certificate of occupancy qualify for a limited review that allows registered design professionals to perform final inspections. BB 2018-008 now mandates that design professionals perform final inspections of certain work types. As we previously covered, the change recognizes the fact that work performed in the early stages of construction often becomes inaccessible by final inspection time.

Filing Requirements

Whether filing in the Buildings Information System (BIS) or DOB NOW, applications must be filed under Directive 14 of 1975. In addition, “Final Inspection” must be indicated as a required progress inspection.

Final inspections must be performed by a registered design professional in good standing with the DOB. The professional who performs the final inspection does not have to be the applicant of record who prepared the plans.

Work Types Requiring RDP Final Inspection

BIS Work Type	DOB NOW Work Type*
BIS Work Type	DOB NOW Work Type*
Antenna**	Antenna
Chutes	Protection and Mechanical Methods
Cocoons	Protection and Mechanical Methods
Construction Hoists (Material Hoists/Personnel Hoists)	Protection and Mechanical Methods
Earthwork Excavation Landscape Sitework (grading, septic, backfill, etc.) Soil Grouting/Improvement Rock/Soil Anchors	Earthwork
Fence	Fence
Foundations Single- and Multi-Tier Underpinning Shallow Foundations/Footings Retaining Walls Deep Foundations	Foundation
General Construction (Alt-2, Alt-3)	General Construction
Green Roof	Green Roof
Mechanical Systems	Mechanical Systems/HVAC
Plumbing	Plumbing
Sidewalk Shed	Sidewalk Shed
Solar	Solar
Structural Superstructure Temporary Shoring and Bracing Support of Adjacent Buildings	Structural
Support of Excavation Shoring (sheet piles, soldier piles, lagging) Slurry Walls Ground Freezing Tangent/Secant Piles Berming/Sloping/Benching	Support of Excavation
Supported Scaffold	Supported Scaffold
Suspended Scaffold Systems Swingstage Outrigger Beam C-Hook Single- and Multi-Point Adjustable	Suspended Scaffold

* DOB NOW work types shall be effective upon applicable launch date
**Antenna filings must be filed through DOB NOW; BIS filings no longer accepted

Don’t forget: Final inspections are subject to DOB audit to determine compliance with applicable code requirements as progress inspections.

If you have questions about this change affects your projects, please contact Metropolis Group at 212.233.6344.