Violations & compliance · Permits & development · 10/22/2026
DOB Ends $5,000 Cap on Electrical Permit Fees, Raises License Fees
The Department of Buildings adopted rule changes on electrical permit and licensing fees, published in The City Record. Following Local Law 128 of 2024, the old $5,000 cap on electrical parts fees is gone, and a new $130 background fee applies to license renewals. DOB also raised pay for design professionals who act on surveys to $150.
CPublished by The City RecordRead the original ↗
What happened
The Department of Buildings (DOB) has adopted a rule that changes fees for electrical permits and electrical licensing, and raises what the City pays certain outside design professionals. The notice of adoption ran in The City Record on October 22, 2026. It is dated October 13, 2026, and signed by Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. DOB first published the proposed rule on August 21, 2026, and held a public hearing on September 23, 2026.
The biggest change for owners is the end of the $5,000 cap on electrical permit fees. DOB says this follows Local Law 128 of 2024. That law repealed the old Electrical Code, including the cap, and added a new Electrical Code in Chapter 11 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code. The $40 initial filing fee is now listed together with the per-item parts fees, to make clear they are added together. At filing, an applicant must pay 50% of the total permit fee, but not less than $130. If the whole fee is under $130, the full amount is due at filing. The rest must be paid before any DOB inspection. The $5 fee for a duplicate copy of a notice of electrical violation is deleted, because existing copy fees cover it. The minor work electrical permit is listed at $15.
Licensing background investigation fees go up. Class 1 rises from $500 to $550, and class 2 rises from $330 to $430. A new $130 fee applies to background investigations for renewal of class 1 and class 2 licenses. DOB says license background checks have grown in volume and processing times have increased significantly. It says the higher fees will pay for more staff to improve service.
DOB is also raising what it pays registered design professionals who act on surveys under Administrative Code section 28-216.6, from $100 to $150 each. DOB says this pay has not changed since the 2008 construction codes. It says these surveyors use their own vehicles and face higher gas and wear-and-tear costs. DOB says the increase will help it keep design professionals on its vendor panel.
Key facts
- Agency
- NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)
- Rules amended
- Sections 101-03 and 102-02 of Chapter 100, Title 1, Rules of the City of New York
- Key dates
- Proposed August 21, 2026. Hearing September 23, 2026. Signed October 13, 2026. Published in The City Record October 22, 2026.
- Electrical fee cap
- $5,000 cap removed, following Local Law 128 of 2024
- Payment at filing
- 50% of the total electrical permit fee, minimum $130 (or the full fee if under $130). The balance is due before any DOB inspection.
- Background check fees
- Class 1: $500 to $550. Class 2: $330 to $430. New $130 renewal background fee.
- Exam fees listed
- Written exam $585. Practical exam $530.
- Survey pay for design professionals
- $100 to $150 each, under Admin Code section 28-216.6
What it means
Landlords
Large electrical jobs, such as full rewiring or service upgrades in multi-unit buildings, no longer have a $5,000 ceiling on DOB permit fees. Plan for half the total fee, at least $130, at filing, and the rest before DOB will inspect.
Buyers and owners
If you are budgeting a gut renovation or electrical upgrade, price DOB permit fees from the per-item schedule with no cap. Ask your licensed electrician for the estimated total permit fee before filing.
The highlights
- Half the permit fee, at least $130, is due at filing; the rest before inspection.
- Class 1 background check fee rises to $550; class 2 rises to $430.
- Pay for appointed survey design professionals rises from $100 to $150.
Why it matters Landlords
Large electrical jobs may now cost more in permit fees, and part of the fee must be paid up front at filing.
What to do: Budget for higher electrical permit fees on large jobs.
Not known yet
- The notice does not state the exact date the new fees take effect.
- Whether permits already filed or partly paid under the old rules are affected.
- How many jobs actually exceeded the old $5,000 cap.
- Whether the extra staffing will shorten license processing times, and by how much.
Background
Electrical work in New York City generally must be filed with DOB by a licensed electrician, who pays the permit fees and schedules inspections. Owners often see these costs passed through in the electrician's bid. City agencies change their rules through a public process. They publish a proposed rule, hold a hearing, and then publish the final rule in The City Record. Final rules generally take effect 30 days after that publication unless a different date is set.
Summary written by Bulwark from the The City Record’s announcement. The original story is at a856-cityrecord.nyc.gov. This is general information, not legal advice.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0