Why it matters
Why open jobs cause problems.
DOB won’t issue a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy while there are open applications or violations on the property. Attorneys and lenders also routinely ask for open jobs to be resolved before a closing or refinance.
Your options
Three ways to close a job.
| Situation | Usual route | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Work was completed | Sign off the job | Final inspections and sign-offs, then a Letter of Completion (or a CO where one is required) |
| Permit expired | Renew or reinstate, then sign off | Renewal or reinstatement fees, depending on how long ago it expired and how much work remains |
| Work never happened | Withdraw the application | A withdrawal request; if a permit was issued, DOB inspects to confirm no work was done |
Have a list of open jobs from a title report? Send it over and we’ll sort out the route for each one.
Call (929) 367-0962Signing off
What a Letter of Completion needs.
For work that doesn’t require a new or amended CO, DOB issues a Letter of Completion. Before it does, DOB generally requires:
- All permits inspected and signed off, including construction, plumbing and electrical where applicable
- Required special inspection reports filed and the final technical report certified
- The final cost affidavit (PW3) verified and all documents submitted
- No unpaid fees or open violations on the job
For DOB NOW jobs, the request is made in DOB NOW; for older BIS jobs, through a PW7 request. If the work changed from the approved plans, as-built drawings or an amendment may be needed first.
Expired permits
Renewal and reinstatement.
A DOB NOW permit expires at the earliest of insurance expiration, license expiration, or one year after issuance. An expired permit can be renewed if there was activity on the application within two years of expiration. Older jobs may need reinstatement, with fees that depend on how much work remains, and a job may need to be refiled if the code or zoning changed in the meantime.
Withdrawing
When the work never happened.
Before a permit is issued, an application can be withdrawn with a request. After a permit is issued, the request has to say whether work began; DOB will issue a stop work order and inspect the site to confirm. Legalization jobs tied to open violations generally can’t be withdrawn and have to be completed instead.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Can I just withdraw every open job?
Only where no work was done, and DOB will check. Work that was performed has to be signed off, or the scope amended to match what was built.
Why does the lender care about old permits?
Open jobs can signal unfinished or unapproved work, and they block a new or amended CO. Many lenders and attorneys require them resolved before closing.
How long does closing out a job take?
It depends on the route, how old the job is, and whether inspections or documents are missing. A review of the job history gives a realistic timeline.
Sources
Official sources.
- DOB: Letter of No Objection or Completion
- DOB: Project sign-off and completion
- DOB: Permit renewal
- DOB: Project withdrawals
- DOB: Certificate of Occupancy
General information about New York City procedures, last reviewed November 2026. Amounts and rules change and every property is different, so this isn’t legal advice. Call us about your specific situation.