Code: PW1 (DOB permit application form)
Description: (Plan/Work Approval Application) is the main DOB form used to apply for approval of construction or alteration work on a building before a permit can be issued. It is filed through DOB NOW or at a borough office and must be approved before any permitted work may begin.
Practical Meaning: For a NYC homeowner, this means that before any permitted construction or renovation work can legally start, a PW1 must be filed and approved by DOB — getting a contractor without filing this form first can result in a Work Without Permit violation. You or your architect/expeditor must submit the PW1 through DOB NOW, wait for DOB approval, and only then may work begin under the permit.
Where You May See It: DOB NOW, BIS (Building Information System), DOB borough office paperwork, architect or expeditor proposal, permit application package, DOB violation notices referencing open or expired PW1 applications.
Why It Matters: An open, expired, or missing PW1 can block your Certificate Of Correction for a violation, delay permits on the same property, and trigger additional fines or a Stop Work Order. DOB will not approve a COC if there is an open or expired permit tied to the same property, so resolving PW1 applications promptly protects you from compounding violations.
Source: More About PW1 Filing