Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
Staten Island DOB customer service: 718-420-5400; Certificate of Occupancy: 718-420-5410; general DOB: 212-566-5000; NYC 311
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
New York City Department of Buildings (Staten Island Borough Office) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Staten Island DOB customer service: 718-420-5400; Certificate of Occupancy: 718-420-5410; general DOB: 212-566-5000; NYC 311.
N/A; review time depends on filing type, objections, professional certification, and project scope.
Submit applicable filings through DOB NOW: Build or the legacy eFiling/BIS system. Schedule construction development, enforcement, electrical, and plumbing inspections through DOB NOW: Inspections or the designated Staten Island unit. Staten Island contacts include Construction Development 718-420-5418, Construction Enforcement 718-420-3590, Electrical Development 718-420-5411, and Plumbing Development 718-420-5416.
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.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.