Alterations of Existing Buildings

NYC Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 1, subch. 1, art. 4

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 27-114 Alterations of existing buildings.

§ 27-114 Alterations of existing buildings. Subject to the provisions of section 27-105 of article one of this subchapter, and except as otherwise specifically provided by the provisions of this code, the following provisions shall apply to the alteration of existing buildings, whether made voluntarily or as a result of damage, deterioration or other cause, provided, however, that the following alterations shall conform with the requirements of this code regardless of magnitude or cost: (a) Alterations or additions to existing standpipes, sprinklers or interior fire alarm and signal systems or a change in use or an enlargement to spaces requiring such protection, as provided in subchapter seventeen of this code. (b) Alterations, replacements or new installations of equipment for heating or storing water, as provided in reference standard RS-16. (c) Projections beyond the street line, as provided in subchapter four of this code. (d) Sprinkler, alarm protection, and emergency lighting requirements for places of assembly, as provided in subchapter eight of this code. (e) Interior finish work, as provided in section 27-348. (f) Finish flooring and floor covering, as provided in section 27-351. (g) The installation or replacement of elevators, as provided in subchapter eighteen of this code. (h) The installation, alteration or replacement of refrigerating systems as provided in reference standard RS 13-6.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-115 Alterations exceeding sixty percent of building value.

§ 27-115 Alterations exceeding sixty percent of building value. If the cost of making alterations in any twelve-month period shall exceed sixty percent of the value of the building, the entire building shall be made to comply with the requirements of this code, except as provided in section 27-120 of this article.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-116 Alterations between thirty percent and sixty percent of building value.

§ 27-116 Alterations between thirty percent and sixty percent of building value. If the cost of making alterations in any twelve month period shall be between thirty percent and sixty percent of the value of the building, only those portions of the building altered shall be made to comply with the requirements of this code, except as provided in sections 27-120 and 27-121 of this article.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-117 Alterations under thirty percent of building value.

§ 27-117 Alterations under thirty percent of building value. Except as otherwise provided for in sections 27-120 and 27-121 of this article, if the cost of making alterations in any twelve month period shall be under thirty percent of the value of the building, those portions of the building altered may, at the option of the owner, be altered in accordance with the requirements of this code, or altered in compliance with the applicable laws in existence prior to December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, provided the general safety and public welfare are not thereby endangered.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-118 Alterations involving change in occupancy or use.

§ 27-118 Alterations involving change in occupancy or use. (a) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, if the alteration of a building or space therein results in a change in the occupancy group classification of the building under the provisions of subchapter three, then the entire building shall be made to comply with the requirements of this code. (b) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, if the alteration of a space in a building involves a change in the occupancy or use thereof, the alteration work involved in the change shall, except as provided for in this section, be made to comply with the requirements of this code and the remaining portion of the building shall be altered to such an extent as may be necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the occupants. (c) When, however, the cost of alterations involved in the change of occupancy of an existing building erected prior to December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight or space therein authorizes the alterations to be made in compliance with the applicable laws in existence on such sixth day of December, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, such change in occupancy may similarly be made in compliance with such prior laws, provided the general safety and public welfare are not thereby endangered, and further provided that the alteration work shall effect compliance with all requirements of this code relating to interior finish work, finish flooring and floor covering, sprinklers, interior fire alarms, fire command and communication systems, elevators, smoke detectors, directional signs, emergency lighting and emergency power.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-118.1 Illegal alterations involving change in occupancy. [Repealed] Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1997/065 and L.L. 2007/037.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-119 Alteration cost: building value.

§ 27-119 Alteration cost: building value. For the purpose of applying the foregoing provisions of this article, the cost of making alterations shall be determined by adding the estimated cost of making the proposed alterations computed as of the time of submitting the permit application, to the actual cost of any and all alterations made in the preceding twelve-month period; and the value of the building shall be determined at the option of the applicant on the basis of one and one-quarter times the current assessed valuation of the building, as adjusted by the current state equalization rate, or on the basis of the current replacement cost of the building, provided that satisfactory evidence of current replacement cost is submitted to the commissioner.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-120 Alterations to multiple dwelling and conversions to multiple dwellings.

§ 27-120 Alterations to multiple dwelling and conversions to multiple dwellings. At the option of the owner, regardless of the cost of the alteration or conversion, an alteration may be made to a multiple dwelling or a building may be converted to a multiple dwelling in accordance with all requirements of this code or in accordance with all applicable laws in existence prior to December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, provided the general safety and public welfare are not thereby endangered.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-121 Alterations to residence buildings.

§ 27-121 Alterations to residence buildings. Alterations to one-or two-family residence buildings erected under the provisions of the building code in effect prior to December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, and damaged by fire or other catastrophe to the extent of less than fifty percent of the value of the building (except as otherwise provided in section 27-297 of article four of subchapter four of this chapter) may be reconstructed in accordance with the provisions of the building code in effect prior to December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-122 Alterations involving conversions from seasonal to year round use.

§ 27-122 Alterations involving conversions from seasonal to year round use. (a) Buildings converted from seasonal use to year round use shall comply with the minimum building insulation standards as provided in reference standards RS 12-10, energy conservation in new building design, with the exception that the provisions as set forth in opinion 76-16, state of New York, public service commission, dated August thirteenth, nineteen hundred seventy-six, relating to noise control and fire rating shall not apply. The standards set forth in this code relating to noise control and fire rating and other applicable standards shall apply. (b) All alterations performed in accordance with the requirements of this section shall also be in full compliance with the provisions of subchapter fourteen (inspections) of chapter one of title twenty-six of the administrative code to insure a method of controlled inspection of all converted buildings.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-123 Alterations involving high hazard occupancies.

§ 27-123 Alterations involving high hazard occupancies. Any building erected prior to the effective date of this code (December sixth, nineteen hundred sixty-eight) and complying with section 27-117 of this article may be utilized for new high hazard occupancies without compliance with article two of subchapter six of this chapter on condition that the building or building section for such high hazard occupancy be provided with an approved one source automatic sprinkler system complying with the provisions of subchapter seventeen for B-1 occupancies regardless of the area thereof. Existing high hazard occupancies in structures erected prior to the effective date of this code and complying with section 27-117 of this article may continue to operate, subject to such fire protection requirements as the fire commissioner shall direct.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-123.1 Alterations, additions, repairs and changes in occupancy or use requiring facilities for people having physical disabilities. [Repealed] Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1987/058 and L.L. 2013/141.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-123.2 Provision of sprinklers in existing buildings. [Repealed] Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1999/010 and L.L. 2013/141.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-123.3 Definition.

§ 27-123.3 Definition. For the purposes of this article, the term "existing building" means a building in existence prior to December 6th, 1968 or a building constructed in accordance with the building laws and regulations in force prior to such date in accordance with section 27-105 of this code.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-48206Fetched: 10/24/2026