What Changes for NYC Electrical Permit Fees on November 21, 2026?
Short answer: On November 21, 2026, DOB's amended fee rule (1 RCNY §101-03) takes effect. It brings the rule in line with Local Law 128 of 2024, which repealed the old Electrical Code and its $5,000 cap on electrical permit fees. The same rule raises licensing background investigation fees and adds a new $130 renewal background fee.
What exactly is changing?
DOB published the notice of adoption in The City Record on October 22, 2026. According to DOB's rule summary:
| Item | Before | From Nov 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| $5,000 cap on electrical permit fees | In the old rule text (the cap itself was repealed by Local Law 128 of 2024) | Removed from the rule |
| $40 filing fee and parts fees | Listed separately | Listed together; added up to get the minimum payment |
| Licensing background investigation, class 1 | $500 | $550 |
| Licensing background investigation, class 2 | $330 | $430 |
| Renewal background investigation | None | $130 (new) |
| Duplicate copy of an electrical violation notice | $5 | Deleted (regular copy fees apply) |
| DOB pay for outside registered design professionals (surveyors) | $100 | $150 |
Didn't the $5,000 cap already go away?
In practice, yes. Local Law 128 of 2024 moved the Electrical Code into Title 28 of the Administrative Code, and the 2025 NYC Electrical Code took effect on December 21, 2025. DOB's June 29, 2026 construction advisory (CA 2026-007) already shows an example job with a $20,040 permit fee. What November 21 does is make DOB's own fee rule match the law. If you priced large electrical jobs with the old cap in mind, re-price them on the full parts fee.
How is the electrical permit fee paid in DOB NOW?
Per DOB's construction advisory, based on Administrative Code §28-112.2.2:
- Permit fee of $130 or less: pay the full amount (filing fee plus parts fee) when you file.
- Permit fee over $130: pay 50% when you file, and the balance in DOB NOW before DOB's inspection.
- Permit renewal fees, Post Approval Amendment (PAA) fees and Electrical Plan Review fees are separate.
DOB's own examples: a $180 permit fee is paid $90 at filing and $90 before inspection. A $20,040 permit fee is paid $10,020 at filing and $10,020 before inspection.
Who should check their numbers now?
- Electrical contractors bidding large jobs. The full parts fee applies, with no cap.
- Anyone applying for or renewing a DOB license that needs a background investigation. The class 1 and class 2 fees go up, and renewals now carry a $130 background fee. Check DOB's licensing pages for which fee applies to your license.
- Owners and GCs whose budgets carry an electrical permit allowance from an older estimate.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the old $5,000 maximum still limits the permit fee.
- Forgetting the second half of the fee, which has to be paid before DOB will inspect.
- Filing an electrical job as an initial filing when it belongs to an existing construction job. DOB says to search for the job number or BIN and create a subsequent filing.
How S & M Expediting helps
We handle the DOB NOW filing side for electricians and electrical contractors: filings, subsequent filings, fee payments and following the job to sign-off. We will work with the contractor you have, or if not, we will recommend one from our network.
Related - NYC electrical filings and the 2026 DOB NOW changes - Plumber and electrician licensing moves to DOB NOW - Permit expediting
Call 718-833-2333 or email info@sandmexpediting.com