§ 20-01 Permits.
RCNY § 20-01
(a)General information. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, permits will be issued for the following purposes upon receipt of proper applications and permit fees: Hydrant, Use of Meter Accuracy Test Meter Attachment Meter Disconnect for Repair or Change of Piping ("Break Seal") Meter Setting, New, Replacement or Additional Meter Testing and Repair Company Plug, Tap/Wet Connection (Termination of Service) Service Connection, Relay of Service Connection, Repair of Service Connection, Thawing of Tap Installation Tap Installation and Plug of Prior Tap Tap Location, Electrical Indicator Wet Connection Installation (including Internal Water Main) Wet Connection Installation and Plug of Prior Tap or Wet Connection All work under a permit must be performed by the permit holder and/or persons directly employed and supervised by the permit holder. Permits are not transferable and valid for the work described thereon.
(b)Issuance. Permit applications shall be submitted, and permits shall be obtained before commencement of any work requiring a permit. Where permits involving plumbing work are required, such permits will be issued only to Licensed Master Plumbers, and to plumbers in the employ of municipal, state or federal agencies and authorities. Permits to set, reset, repair, or disconnect a water meter on service pipes with a diameter of less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inches may be issued to persons who may lawfully perform such work under 15 RCNY § 20-05(c). Meter repair permits may also be issued to meter repair companies for repair on the premises of water meters.
(1)Any work performed without a permit as required by these Rules shall be a violation.
(2)Permits for all emergency work must be obtained within forty-eight (48) hours or by the end of the second business day following commencement of the work.
(3)Upon the expiration date of a plumber's license, if such license is not renewed within 60 days after such expiration date, all permits issued under that license shall also expire.
(4)(i) The Commissioner may deny any permit application, and may revoke, suspend, cancel, or terminate any previously issued permit, where any party related to the work, including but not limited to the contractor, building owner, or licensed master plumber, has docketed, unpaid civil penalties imposed by the New York City Environmental Control Board or a tribunal of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings for violations of 15 RCNY §§ 20-01, 20-02, 20-04, 20-05, 20-06, or 20-08 or §§ 24-308, 24-337 or 24-339 of the Administrative Code.
(ii)In determining whether to exercise the power granted by subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Commissioner shall consider whether such applicant or permittee has other unpaid penalties, taxes or other debt owed to the city; the amount of the unpaid civil penalties imposed by the environmental control board or a tribunal of the office of administrative trials and hearings; whether the violation underlying the unpaid penalties imposed by the environmental control board or a tribunal of the office of administrative trials and hearings was issued by the Department of Environmental Protection or another agency; whether such violation is one of a series of violations returnable to such board or tribunal and the nature of the underlying violation; whether the unpaid civil penalties imposed by the environmental control board or a tribunal of the office of administrative trials and hearings were imposed pursuant to a finding of default that was subsequently vacated or whether the applicant or permittee has made a request to vacate such default and obtain a new hearing pursuant to the rules of such board or tribunal; or any other consideration the commissioner deems appropriate.
(c)Regulation of permit work. If a Licensed Master Plumber or meter repair company fails to comply with three (3) or more provisions, standards or requirements of these Rules, or the terms and conditions of any permit already issued under these Rules, during a three (3) month period, the Commissioner or his/her designee, in accordance with § 24-309 of the Administrative Code, may make a determination not to issue additional permits from applications submitted from such Licensed Master Plumber or meter repair company until such time as all the violations or non-compliances are corrected.
(d)Department of Transportation approvals. All permits for work requiring opening or obstructing a street and/or sidewalk shall be contingent upon approval by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the agency having jurisdiction to authorize such opening.
(e)Permits at work site. All permits required by the Department must be displayed at the work site. Failure to display necessary permits shall be a violation of these Rules.
(f)Emergency repairs.
(g)Return of permit after completion of work. Within ten (10) business days following the completion of any work for which a meter permit has been issued, the permit, carrying a certification of the date of completion of the work, shall be returned to the Department. A permit shall expire after 365 days for new construction work and after 30 days for meter replacements or first-time meter installations in existing buildings. If the work is to be performed after that time, the applicant must apply for a permit extension before the original permit expires. If a completed meter permit is not returned upon completion of the work, the official meter set date shall be 30 days after issuance of the permit for meter replacements or first-time meter installations in existing buildings or 365 days after issuance of the permit for new construction work.
(h)Department of Parks and Recreation Permits. Excavation work for water services or for outdoor pit meters immediately adjacent to or under the drip line of a street tree requires a permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation and compliance with its "Forestry Protocol for Planned and Emergency Utility Work." (Amended City Record 7/26/2021, eff. 8/25/2021)
