New York City is the largest solar permit market in the northeastern United States, and one of the most technically demanding AHJs in the country for solar installations.
This guide is for installers and engineers filing in the five boroughs. A NYC solar permit goes through the Department of Buildings (DOB) in DOB NOW: Build, not the legacy DOB BIS system, with requirements well beyond most building departments: filing by a NY-licensed PE or RA, a separate Electrical filing, 3-line diagrams for commercial systems, and NYC-specific code checks.
An installer moving from California or Texas to NYC for the first time will find a permitting process that is more rigorous, more bureaucratic and more dependent on experienced filing representatives (expediters) than almost any other US market.
Understanding DOB NOW: Build, the filing requirements, the Con Edison interconnection timeline, and the unique NYC fire and structural rules is the baseline for a functional NYC solar permit operation.
Quick answer. NYC solar permits are no longer filed in DOB BIS. Since November 15, 2023, the NYC Department of Buildings accepts Solar jobs only in DOB NOW: Build, filed by a New York-licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. Each Solar job needs an associated Electrical filing by a licensed electrician, and interconnection runs separately through Con Edison or PSEG Long Island.
TL;DR
- NYC solar jobs are filed in DOB NOW: Build by a NY-licensed PE or RA; BIS no longer accepts solar filings (since November 15, 2023).
- Each Solar job needs an associated Electrical filing by a licensed electrician; the solar permit is issued only after the electrical permit.
- NYC does not use SolarAPP+; every job gets DOB review.
- Commercial and 3-phase systems should carry a 3-line diagram, not just an SLD.
- Fire code rooftop access and setback rules are among the most common objection triggers.
- Con Edison interconnection is a separate process; filing it alongside the DOB job shortens the overall timeline.
- Structural calculations must use site-specific snow and wind loads, with extra scrutiny of older masonry buildings.
NYC DOB, BIS and DOB NOW: Who Permits Solar in the Five Boroughs?
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) is the AHJ for all building permits in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Every solar installation that adds a structure to or penetrates a building requires a DOB permit; there is no electrical-only pathway in NYC.
NYC solar permitting now runs through DOB NOW: Build. Key rules from the DOB’s own guidance (see the DOB NOW: Build FAQ):
- Since November 15, 2023, new Solar filings must be submitted in DOB NOW: Build by a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. BIS no longer accepts them.
- Every Solar filing needs an associated Electrical filing by a licensed electrician. The Solar permit is not issued until the Electrical permit is issued.
- Solar filings can no longer be professionally certified, so every job goes through DOB review.
- Since November 9, 2024, the associated Electrical filing must state the type of sustainable energy install (PV with or without storage). Storage is filed as Electric Energy Storage Equipment (EESE).
If the project also needs other building work, such as structural reinforcement or a service upgrade, those may need separate filings.
No SolarAPP+ in NYC. Unlike many US jurisdictions, NYC does not use SolarAPP+ automated permitting. Plan for DOB review on every job, and check the property's record for open violations before filing, since they can hold up permit issuance.
For the broader US permit framework, see How to Submit a Solar Permit Package to an AHJ and Solar PE Stamp Explained. The NY Solar Map’s 2025 NYC Solar Permitting Process Guide walks through the DOB NOW screens step by step.
The NYC Solar Permit Drawing Set
Every NYC solar job needs a drawing set from a NY-licensed PE or RA, filed in DOB NOW: Build. Requirements and structural expectations differ between residential and commercial projects; see Commercial vs. Residential Solar Permit Design for how the two tracks compare beyond NYC specifically.
The NYC Solar Engineering Drawing Framework
A NYC solar permit drawing set typically includes these five elements:
Site Plan + Roof Plan
Property survey context, roof area with module layout, [fire setback](/glossary/fire-setback/) annotations and rooftop access per the NYC Fire Code, and roof drainage annotation. Signed and sealed.
Electrical Single-Line Diagram (SLD)
Complete SLD from PV array through inverter, AC disconnect, rapid shutdown device, interconnection point, and utility meter. NYC Electrical Code compliance (based on the 2020 NEC, effective December 21, 2025). Conductor sizing, OCPD ratings and grounding system.
3-Line Diagram (Commercial Systems)
For commercial systems and any installation with 3-phase service, a 3-line diagram is required showing all three phases, neutral, and ground. Shows all protective devices, metering and the utility-side interface. Teams new to NYC often leave it out.
Structural Calculations
NYC Building Code structural analysis: dead load from modules and racking, wind uplift using the wind design values in the NYC code (exposure depends on location; waterfront sites are more exposed), and site-specific snow load. Rafter or joist capacity check for the added point loads. See [ASCE 7-22](/glossary/asce-7-22/) for the method behind current wind provisions.
Equipment Schedules + Specifications
Equipment schedule listing all major components (modules, inverter, racking, rapid shutdown device, disconnects). Cut sheets confirming UL listings. Con Edison equipment compatibility confirmation where required. Put the schedule on the sealed drawings rather than in a separate attachment.
The 3-Line Diagram: A Common Missing Document
The 3-line diagram requirement is the element that catches the most non-NYC solar permit designers off-guard. In most US states, a single-line diagram (SLD) is sufficient for all residential and commercial solar permit packages. In NYC, plan examiners commonly expect a 3-line diagram for commercial and 3-phase installations.
What a 3-line diagram shows (vs. an SLD):
| Element | SLD | 3-Line Diagram |
|---|---|---|
| Phase representation | Single line (simplified) | Three separate lines (A, B, C phases) |
| Neutral and ground | Often shown as single conductor | Explicitly shown per phase |
| Protective device sizing | Shown once per circuit | Shown per phase with trip curves |
| Metering | Block diagram | Full CT/PT metering wiring |
| Utility interface | Interconnection point only | Complete utility service entry with meter socket and utility disconnect |
| Use case | Most residential | 3-phase commercial; commonly expected by NYC examiners |
Watch out. NYC plan examiners specifically look for the 3-line diagram on commercial solar applications. Submitting only an SLD for a commercial system usually draws an objection and costs a full correction round.
NYC Fire Code Requirements for Solar
The NYC Fire Code is based on the International Fire Code with substantial NYC amendments, and FDNY rules add detail on rooftop access for solar. Requirements differ for pitched residential roofs and flat or low-slope commercial roofs, so check the current Fire Code section on solar installations and the related FDNY rule for the building type. Show on the roof plan:
- Clear access pathways from the roof access point to and around each array section
- Required setbacks at ridges, roof edges and parapets
- Array sectioning and pathways on large flat roofs
- Clearances around roof hatches, bulkheads, standpipes and other fire department equipment
Our fire setback sizing guide shows how these rules shrink usable roof area.
Rapid Shutdown System (NYC Electrical Code, NEC 690.12):
- Required on PV systems on buildings
- Show the initiation device location and labels on the drawings; see our NEC rapid shutdown compliance guide
Con Edison Solar Interconnection, NYC’s Utility Process
Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) serves Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, most of Queens and most of Westchester County. PSEG Long Island serves the Rockaways in Queens. For NYC solar installations, the Con Edison interconnection application runs parallel to the DOB permit and is a separate process.
Con Edison interconnection under the New York State Standardized Interconnection Requirements (SIR). Tracks below are indicative; check the current SIR for thresholds and timelines:
| System Size | Interconnection Track | Typical Timeline | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small inverter-based (≤ 50 kW) | Expedited process | Weeks | UL 1741 inverter |
| Larger systems up to 5 MW | Standard process | Months | Preliminary screens, possible CESIR study |
| Systems needing studies | CESIR | Months | Coordinated electric system interconnection review and upgrade costs |
Con Edison requires:
- Completed Con Edison DG interconnection application (online portal)
- Technical drawings (SLD, 3-line for commercial)
- Equipment specifications (inverter must meet Con Edison’s technical requirements, consistent with IEEE 1547 interconnection standards)
- DOB permit or job number, as Con Edison requests at each stage
Parallel tracking tip. Submit the Con Edison interconnection application at the same time as the DOB job. Do not wait for DOB permit issuance; the two processes can run in parallel, and starting Con Edison later lengthens the project.
NYC Expediters: When You Need One
A filing representative (expediter) registered with DOB handles the administrative side of the permit process: tracking jobs, responding to objections and coordinating with DOB. For solar permits, expediters become valuable in three scenarios:
When to use an NYC solar permit expediter:
-
Commercial systems: larger jobs draw more objections, and an experienced filing representative can schedule and manage plan examiner meetings.
-
Projects with open DOB violations: an expediter can navigate the violation resolution process (identifying the originating inspector, arranging re-inspection, clearing the violation record) faster than a first-time applicant.
-
Large multi-family or mixed-use buildings: these can need related filings beyond the Solar job, and an expediter helps structure them correctly.
What an expediter does not do: an expediter manages the DOB administrative process. They are not the PE of record for the stamped drawings. The engineering drawings must come from a NY-licensed PE. The expediter and the PE are separate engagements.
NYC Structural Considerations: Snow and Wind Loads
New York City’s structural engineering requirements for solar include snow load and wind load parameters that differ from most US markets:
NYC Structural Parameters:
- Ground snow load: use the value the NYC Building Code requires for the site; snow analysis is not optional in NYC as it often is in Florida or Texas
- Design wind speed and exposure: use the NYC code’s wind provisions; most urban sites are Exposure B, while waterfront and coastal Staten Island sites may be Exposure C or D
- Seismic: seismic loads rarely govern rooftop solar design in NYC, but check the code requirement for the building
Snow load impact on solar structural design: Solar array snow load analysis must consider:
- The additional dead load of accumulated snow on the array (module surface typically allows some snow to slide)
- The increased point loads on roof attachment fasteners during snow accumulation
- Roof slope: NYC has a significant stock of flat and low-slope commercial roofs where snow accumulation is highest
Note. NYC has a very large stock of pre-war masonry buildings (brownstones, walk-up apartment buildings, and older commercial structures) with roof framing that predates modern load tables. Structural analysis for solar on these buildings sometimes uncovers marginal rafter or joist capacity, requiring either a reduced array size or additional structural reinforcement. Always include a structural adequacy assessment in the design phase before selling the final system size to the customer.
NYC Solar Permit Fees
DOB filing fees depend on job type and cost of work, and the associated Electrical filing has its own fee. Check the current DOB fee schedule rather than relying on a fixed figure. On top of filing fees, budget for:
- Engineering and sealed drawings from a NY-licensed PE or RA
- A filing representative, if you use one
- Con Edison application fees, which depend on system size and process
Common NYC Solar Permit Objections
| # | Correction | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3-line diagram missing on commercial application | Always include 3-line diagram for any commercial or 3-phase system |
| 2 | Fire setback annotation absent or incorrect on roof plan | Dimension setbacks per the current NYC Fire Code and FDNY rule |
| 3 | Roof access path not shown | Annotate access pathways from the roof access point to each array section |
| 4 | PE not NY-licensed (out-of-state PE stamp) | NY PE license required; verify NY PE license number on drawings |
| 5 | Snow load not included in structural calculation | Include the code-required snow load in the structural calc |
| 6 | Rapid shutdown device location not labeled on SLD | Show rapid shutdown initiation device at service entrance on SLD |
| 7 | NYC Electrical Code not referenced | Reference the NYC Electrical Code, not just the base NEC |
| 8 | Open DOB violation blocking permit issuance | Check the property record before filing; resolve open violations first |
| 9 | Interconnection method not specified on SLD | Explicitly state load-side interconnection and the 120% busbar compliance on SLD |
| 10 | Roof construction assumed, not verified | Confirm construction type on site and in DOB records before the structural check |
| 11 | Equipment schedule missing from sealed drawings | Include the equipment schedule on the sealed drawing set |
| 12 | Associated Electrical filing missing or incomplete | File the Electrical job with the PV (and storage) install type selected |
NYC vs. Other Northeast Markets
NYC ADVANTAGES
- One citywide online filing system (DOB NOW: Build)
- High project values absorb engineering and permit costs
- Dense urban market means high volume per service area
- NYSERDA NY-Sun incentives and NYC property tax abatements support demand
NYC CHALLENGES
- PE or RA filing required on every job; no SolarAPP+
- 3-line diagram required for commercial, adds design time and cost
- Aging building stock often has marginal structural capacity
- Separate Electrical filing by a licensed electrician on every job
- Con Edison interconnection is a separate process with its own timeline
Verdict. NYC is a demanding but high-value solar permit market. Every job goes through DOB NOW: Build with a PE or RA filing and an associated Electrical filing, so clean first submissions matter more than anywhere else. Commercial work also needs NYC-specific knowledge (3-line diagrams, fire code access rules, older building structures), which is why many installers outsource the engineering.
NY State Outside NYC, Key Differences
For installers working outside the five boroughs, the permitting process changes substantially:
- Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties: Con Edison (Westchester) or PSEG Long Island are the utilities, and local building departments are the AHJ (not DOB). Requirements vary by municipality; some use SolarAPP+, others manual plan check.
- Upstate NY (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse): National Grid, NYSEG or RG&E is the utility. The state Uniform Code applies outside NYC; check the NEC edition by state table for the current baseline.
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): NYSERDA’s NY-Sun program provides incentives for residential and commercial solar across NY State. The NY-Sun Megawatt Block incentive structure affects project economics but not the permit process directly.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), New York is one of the leading US states for distributed solar, driven largely by the NYSERDA NY-Sun program.
The NYC Department of Buildings site has the current Solar job filing guide.
How Heaven Designs Serves NYC and Northeast Installers
NYC’s PE or RA filing requirement, 3-line diagrams, NYC Fire Code access rules, snow load structural calculations, and Con Edison interconnection documentation create a permit package complexity that is significantly higher than most US markets. These are the conditions where outsourced engineering and permit design pays off most clearly.
- Solar Permit Design (USA): AHJ-ready permit packages with stamped drawings, including 3-line diagrams for commercial, fire code access annotation and structural calculations. See our permit set checklist.
- Solar Civil & Structural Engineering: structural calculations for NYC installations, including older masonry buildings.
- Solar 3D Pre-Design: sales-stage layout with fire code access annotation before design lock.
- Download sample deliverables: sample NYC residential permit set including SLD, roof plan with fire setbacks, and structural calculations.
For the broader US permit framework, see Solar PE Stamp Explained, How to Submit a Solar Permit Package to an AHJ, and the Solar Permit Design FAQ covering 15 questions EPCs ask before submitting applications.
FAQ
Does NYC require a PE stamp on all solar permit drawings?
Yes. Since November 15, 2023, Solar jobs must be filed in DOB NOW: Build by a New York-licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, and NYC does not offer a SolarAPP+ route. A license from another state is not accepted.
What replaced DOB BIS for solar permits?
DOB NOW: Build. DOB stopped accepting solar filings in BIS on November 15, 2023. Each Solar job also needs an associated Electrical filing by a licensed electrician, and DOB issues the solar permit only after the electrical permit. Check the property’s record for open violations before filing.
How long does Con Edison solar interconnection take in NYC?
Timelines depend on system size and whether a CESIR study is needed under the New York SIR. Small residential systems move fastest; larger commercial systems can take months.
Filing the Con Edison application concurrently with the DOB permit application, rather than waiting for DOB permit issuance, is the most effective way to minimize total project timeline.
Can I put solar on NYC brownstones and rowhouses?
Usually, yes. Many brownstones and rowhouses have masonry bearing walls with wood-joist roof framing. The structural check must confirm the joists can carry the added load, and older framing sometimes needs reinforcement or a smaller array. The PE or RA filing the job seals the structural analysis.
What is the difference between a 3-line diagram and a single-line diagram for NYC solar?
A single-line diagram (SLD) represents the electrical system using a single line to represent each circuit, regardless of the number of conductors. A 3-line diagram shows all three phases explicitly, including phase-specific conductor sizes, protective device settings, CT/PT metering circuits, and the utility interface at the service entrance.
NYC plan examiners commonly expect 3-line diagrams for commercial and 3-phase solar installations. Leaving one out usually costs a correction round.
Does NYC have a net metering program?
New York State has a net metering program governed by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC). Residential Con Edison customers can receive net metering credits for excess solar generation; projects interconnected since 2022 also pay a monthly Customer Benefit Contribution charge. Larger non-residential projects are generally compensated under the Value Stack (VDER).
The arrangement is set up through the Con Edison interconnection process. After the interconnection agreement is executed, Con Edison installs a bi-directional meter. NYC customers may also be eligible for Community Distributed Generation (CDG) if their building or roof characteristics make direct solar installation impractical.