Plan/work approval application
It is the process of submitting documents to the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) to get official permission for construction or renovation work. You start with an initial filing and might later submit changes, amendments, or withdraw your application if needed.
Because the paperwork (especially the PW1 form) is so complex, many people hire “expeditors” or “filing representatives” to make sure everything is correct and goes to the right place. This has created a whole industry dedicated to helping homeowners manage DOB paperwork. The DOB has also developed online systems—like PC-filing, E-filing, and now DOB NOW: Build—to make submitting your applications easier.
Why this is the most important?
You cannot legally start construction, repairs, or renovations on your home without DOB approval. Making mistakes or missing paperwork can cause delays, fines, or extra costs.
Here’s a simple example for a NYC homeowner:
You want to renovate your kitchen in your NYC apartment. Before you can start, you (or your architect/contractor) must fill out a “plan/work approval application” (using the PW1 form) and submit it to the NYC Department of Buildings. The DOB reviews your plans to make sure they are safe and follow the rules. If they approve it, you’ll get a work permit.
If you decide to make changes during the project—like moving a wall—you must file an amendment to update your application. If you change contractors or architects, you would need to reassign or supersede the filing. If you stop the project, you might have to withdraw the filing.
Many homeowners hire a filing representative (expeditor) to make this process easier and avoid mistakes or delays. Now, much of this paperwork can be done online through the DOB’s system, DOB NOW: Build.
Related terms
- initial filings
- reassignments
- amendments
- supersedes
- reinstatements
- withdrawals
