Administrative overview · FIPS 36081
Queens County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
New York City Department of Buildings (Queens Borough Office)
For a project in or near Queens County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
Queens DOB customer service: 718-286-7620; Certificate of Occupancy: 718-286-7690; general DOB: 212-566-5000; NYC 311
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Queens Borough Office, 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens, NY 11424
Operating hours
In-person and drop-off customer service Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; phone lines generally 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Review expectation
N/A; review time depends on filing type, objections, professional certification, and project scope.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Queens County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
New York City Department of Buildings (Queens Borough Office) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Queens DOB customer service: 718-286-7620; Certificate of Occupancy: 718-286-7690; general DOB: 212-566-5000; NYC 311.
How long might review take?
N/A; review time depends on filing type, objections, professional certification, and project scope.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit applicable filings through DOB NOW: Build or the legacy eFiling/BIS system. DOB NOW supports applications, payments, status checks, permit retrieval, and renewals. Schedule development and other inspections through DOB NOW: Inspections; the Queens borough office provides customer service and certificate-of-occupancy assistance.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
NYC DOB administers the current 2022 NYC Construction Codes and applicable 2025 NYC Energy Conservation Code provisions. The 2026 NYC Construction Codes were adopted but are scheduled to become effective July 17, 2027, so the 2022 codes remain the principal construction standard in 2026. Most construction requires a DOB permit. Limited exemptions may include ordinary cosmetic work that does not affect structure, egress, fire safety, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, occupancy, or zoning; confirm the exact work through DOB permit guidance before starting.