Compare Regulations
Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
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Compare city/county requirements side-by-side (up to 4 jurisdictions)
Rows with an amber indicator differ across selections.
| Field | Local City of New York NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) / NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) | Local City of Buffalo City of Buffalo Permits & Inspection Services / Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | ||
| Permit / Authorization | DOB Construction Permit with DEP Sewer Connection / Site Connection Proposal (SCP) | Construction Permit with Stormwater Management / Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) Approval |
| Submit To | NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) / NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) | City of Buffalo Permits & Inspection Services / Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) |
| Lead Time | DOB plan exam 4–12 weeks depending on complexity; DEP SCP review 4–8 weeks; concurrent review possible | City permit review 2–4 weeks; BSA stormwater management review concurrent |
| Application Method | DOB permits via NYC Buildings NOW portal (a]now.nyc.gov); DEP SCP submitted via NYC DEP portal | City permits via Buffalo Permits & Inspection Services; BSA applications submitted directly to the Authority |
| Fee | DOB permit fees based on project cost and type; DEP SCP review fee varies; combined fees can be substantial for large projects | City permit fees per project scope; BSA connection/review fees additional |
| Water Quality | ||
| Impervious Cover Limit | No citywide cap; however, NYC stormwater management requirements trigger at ≥ 20,000 sq ft of disturbance within city boundaries (lower than state 1-acre threshold) | No citywide cap; BSA requires green infrastructure or on-site management for projects creating ≥ 1 acre of impervious surface per NYSDEC MS4 permit |
| On-Site Treatment Required | Yes | Yes |
| Detention Required | Yes — Detain/retain the first 1 inch of rainfall on-site for new development; release rate limited to predevelopment conditions; green infrastructure (bioswales, green roofs, permeable pavement) strongly encouraged by DEP | Yes — Manage the first 1 inch of rainfall on-site per BSA Stormwater Management Manual; green infrastructure preferred to reduce CSOs |
| Turbidity / Discharge Standard | Must comply with NYSDEC SPDES CGP; combined sewer areas have additional considerations per DEP's consent order with EPA | Must comply with NYSDEC SPDES CGP; Great Lakes water quality standards apply |
| SWPPP | ||
| SWPPP / Local Plan Required | Yes — Site Connection Proposal (SCP) for DEP review; SWPPP per NYSDEC SPDES CGP; NYC also requires Construction Site Stormwater Management per DEP rules | Yes — SWPPP per NYSDEC; Stormwater Management Plan per BSA for projects connecting to sewer system |
| PE Stamp Required | Yes | Yes |
| Inspections | ||
| Inspection Requirements | DOB inspects construction at key milestones. DEP may inspect stormwater facilities. Sites in combined sewer areas receive additional DEP scrutiny. NYC also has a separate Construction Site Compliance program. | City inspects construction at permit milestones. BSA inspects stormwater management installations. Post-construction green infrastructure requires maintenance agreements. |
| Inspector Qualification | NYSDEC-approved QI for SPDES compliance; NYC DOB licensed professionals for construction supervision | NYSDEC-approved QI/TC per SPDES CGP; no additional city certification |
| Design & Zones | ||
| Local Design Manual | NYC DEP Stormwater Management Rules / Site Connection Proposal Requirements | Buffalo Sewer Authority Stormwater Management Manual |
| Special Overlay Zones | Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Area, Waterfront / Flood Zone, NYC East of Hudson Watershed (DEP Watershed), Special Natural Area District (SNAD) | Combined Sewer Area, Niagara River / Lake Erie Watershed |