A Brief Reprieve: Fee Waivers for Emergency Flood Damage Work

As of September 14, 2021, the NYC Department of Buildings will not require fees for filing and permits for Hurricane Ida-related damage.

After the September 1, 2021 storm broke the record for most rainfall in an hour, inundating the sewer system and causing flood damage in places far from the coastline, a new mayoral executive order is helping those affected by waiving the usual fees to get the necessary emergency repair work done.

Permit restrictions under LL160/17, LL104/19, and LL114/19 may also be waived at this time for the purposes of protecting public health and safety.

As of this writing, no end date for the fee waivers has been announced.

Certify Eligibility

In order to waive the fee, all DOB NOW: Build filings applications will have a new statement added to the Statements & Signatures section for applicants to certify if the work is related to the remnants of Hurricane Ida. If they indicate a “yes”, then all fees for that application will be waived.

Covered fees include:

Electrical permit fees
Construction document filing fees
Permit filing fees
Asbestos removal fees

For asbestos removal, the seven-day advance submittal requirement will also be waived.

Refunds

Because this measure has been retroactively dated back to September 1, 2021, and many building owners had to take immediate action to fight the damage, any fees paid for hurricane-related work filed between September 1-13, 2021 are eligible for a refund by the DOB.

If you paid for hurricane-related filings prior to September 14, you can submit a RF1-Refund Request Application to the appropriate email address, as listed on the RF1 instruction form.

Safety

NYC DOB has also advised building owners and property managers looking at flood damage to:

Check your property for structural issues due to flooding. Look out for mold, cracks, or similar signs of foundation damage.
Take precautions with outdoor decks, porches, and retaining walls, as these are more directly compromised by heavy flooding and are prone to collapse.
Beware of sink holes, especially near septic systems
Beware of standing water in the cellar or basement. Not only can this water be electrified due to electrical system damage, but it may also be full of contaminants like mold or asbestos. Never operate a circuit breaker while in standing water, and wear protective gear if you must wade in, only after you’ve ensured no chance of electrification.
If you need to drain water out, it must be done slowly, or else you risk serious structural damage.

In addition, they maintain that it is important to have a licensed professional for extensive repair work.

For concerns about structural damage or water contamination, contact the Department of Buildings at 311. In case of emergency, call 911.

For assistance with filing, or for any other project needs, please reach out to Outsource Consultants.

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