Permits & approvals · For: owners, tenants, and managers planning work outside weekday hours
Construction in New York City outside weekday hours needs a Department of Buildings After Hours Variance. Here is when you need one, how far ahead to file, and how it affects your schedule.
Quick answer
You need an After Hours Variance (AHV) for construction before 7 a.m., after 6 p.m., or on Saturdays and Sundays. File it with the NYC Department of Buildings at least three business days before the first work day. One application can cover any number of days within a 14-day window.
Key takeaways
- Weekday work between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. does not need an AHV.
- File at least three business days ahead: for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday work, file by Wednesday.
- One AHV covers days within 14 consecutive days; more days need a new application.
- DOB NOW jobs file in DOB NOW: Build; older BIS jobs file through DOB eFiling.
- There are two payments: an initial filing fee and a daily permit fee.
When do you need an After Hours Variance?
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) requires an After Hours Variance for construction activity before 7:00 a.m., after 6:00 p.m., or on Saturdays and Sundays. Work on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. does not need one.
This matters most for retail build-outs that must open on a date, offices that stay occupied during renovation, and buildings where noisy work is pushed outside business hours.
How far ahead do you have to file?
DOB requires AHV applications to be filed at least three business days before the first intended work day. DOB lists the deadlines this way:
| First intended work day | File by |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Sunday, or Monday | Wednesday |
| Tuesday | Thursday |
| Wednesday | Friday |
| Thursday | Monday |
| Friday | Tuesday |
Where do you file an AHV?
- DOB NOW jobs: file directly in DOB NOW: Build, which requires an NYC.ID account.
- BIS jobs: file online through DOB’s eFiling system.
- Fee-exempt BIS jobs, and DOB NOW electrical and elevator permits: submit a paper PW5 form to the borough office.
DOB also allows a combined AHV for up to five BIS or DOB NOW job numbers, as long as every permit has the same applicant and is on the same building (BIN), and at least one is a DOB NOW filing.
How many days does one AHV cover?
You can request any number of days within a window of 14 consecutive days. Days beyond that window need a separate AHV application. DOB publishes separate renewal guidelines.
Planning nights or weekends?
We map which days need a variance and build the filings into your written schedule.
What does an After Hours Variance cost?
An initial AHV work permit involves two payments: an initial filing fee for DOB’s review, and a daily fee for each day of the AHV work permit. DOB’s main AHV page does not list the dollar amounts; check DOB’s current fee schedule before you budget.
Your building may have its own hours
An AHV only covers the city’s rule. Co-op alteration agreements commonly set their own work-hour and seasonal limits, and commercial leases and building rules can restrict when work happens. Check your building’s rules before you plan after-hours work. See what co-op alteration agreements cover.
How to plan around after-hours work
- Decide early which tasks must happen off-hours, such as noisy demolition in an occupied office.
- Count back three business days from each first work day and file on time.
- Group days into 14-day windows to limit the number of applications.
- Combine permits on the same building into one AHV when DOB allows it.
- Budget for the filing and daily fees, and for any added labor cost of off-hours work.
After Hours Variance FAQ
Do I need an After Hours Variance to work on Saturday in NYC?
Yes. DOB requires an AHV for construction activity on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as before 7 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on weekdays.
How far in advance do I file an AHV?
At least three business days before the first intended work day. For work starting on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, DOB’s deadline is the Wednesday before.
How long does an After Hours Variance last?
One application can cover any number of days within 14 consecutive days. Days outside that window need a new application.
Where do I file an After Hours Variance?
In DOB NOW: Build for DOB NOW jobs, through eFiling for BIS jobs, and on a paper PW5 form for fee-exempt BIS jobs and DOB NOW electrical and elevator permits.
Does an AHV override my co-op’s work hours?
No. The AHV is the city’s permission. Your building’s alteration agreement or rules can still limit when work happens.
How we put this article together
Every rule here comes from the NYC Department of Buildings After Hours Variance page, checked October 28, 2026, and listed below. The draft was prepared with AI assistance, and every fact was checked against the cited sources. Sanjay D. reviews each article before publication. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm details with DOB or your filing professional.
Sources
- NYC DOB — After Hours Variances — hours, deadlines, filing systems, 14-day window, fees
- NYC DOB — Do I need a permit? — work that needs a permit
- Brick Underground — How to read an alteration agreement — co-op work-hour limits
Related
Free site walk & estimate
Need work done after hours? Let’s plan it.
Call for a quote, or request a free site walk and a written, line-item estimate.