NYC Feasibility Study

When you're exploring a residential, commercial, or industrial project in New York City, the feasibility period is your golden window. It’s the time before you sign off on major expenses—architectural plans, structural engineering, and costly consultants. During this window, it's essential to gather objective data to ensure your project makes sense.

Here’s how to do that effectively—using free public tools and live DOB data—so you know where risks and costs truly lie.

1. Map Out Nearby Construction Activity

Use the Construction in My Neighborhood tool from NYC DOB to see:

  • Major new-building, major alteration, and demolition filings

  • Active project markers by Community Board

  • After-hours variance/map for permitted night-weekend work

  • Job status email alerts to keep you updated

Visit: Construction in My Neighborhood

Why it matters: Background construction can influence your scope—noise, site access, permitting timelines, and cost.

2. Peek Inside Any NYC Building’s Record

Leverage Building on My Block and DOB NOW / BIS to:

  • Review permit history and violations

  • Trace zoning diagram filings (NB/Alt)

  • Monitor for recent transfers, challenges, or open permits

Visit:

  • DOB NOW Public Portal

  • BIS – Buildings Information System

Why it matters: A site with filed zoning diagrams may be undergoing changes that affect your project's feasibility or competition.

3. Understand Project Categories & Requirements

Identify your development type—New Building? Renovation? Sidewalk shed?—using NYC DOB's Project Category resources:

  • Sidewalk sheds (over 40 feet or material hoisting) trigger additional review

  • Renovations and system upgrades carry different permit timelines

Learn more at:

  • Sidewalk Shed Permits

  • Project Guidelines – Renovations

Why it matters: Each category comes with unique permit cues, safety protocols, and timeline implications.

4. Gauge Permitting Timelines & Challenges

Know the typical DOB review durations:

  • New Building (NB) and Alterations (Alt) – several weeks to months

  • Minor permits like storefronts or interior renovations – often faster

Additionally, zoning diagram filings may be subject to public challenges within a 45-day window.

Learn more: Zoning Diagram Challenge Info

Why it matters: These timelines and legal caveats are critical to budgeting your feasibility period accurately.

5. Make Informed Yes/No Decisions Before Design Spend

Summing up your feasibility toolkit:

  1. Identify active local construction to anticipate disruptions

  2. Investigate past permits/diagrams on your site to uncover constraints

  3. Categorize your project type to align with correct DOB processes

  4. Track approval times and challenge risks for realistic planning

Taking these steps ensures you understand both the technical and regulatory landscape before you commit to costly blueprints.

Helpful Links to Get Started

Next Step: Permit Trak’s Feasibility Service

Once you've explored these tools, Permit Trak can step in to craft a comprehensive feasibility report tailored to your site. We not only summarize DOB data but also analyze permit histories, potential challenge windows, and construction context. That way, you can make informed, confident decisions within your feasibility period—and only then move forward with design.

Ready to de-risk your NYC development? Let’s get started with your tailored feasibility assessment.