Additions

NYC Admin. Code tit. 28, ch. 12, art. The New York City Existing Building Code, ch. 11

in effect

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1101 General

Section EBC 1101: General 1101.1 Scope. An addition to an existing building or structure shall comply with the New York City Building Code as required for new construction without requiring the existing building or structure to be altered to meet such new construction requirements, except as required by this chapter. Where an addition impacts the existing building or structure, that portion shall comply with this code. 1101.2 Creation or extension of noncompliance. An addition shall not create or extend any noncompliance in the existing building to which the addition is being made with regard to accessibility, structural strength, fire safety, height and area limitations, means of egress, or the capacity of mechanical, plumbing, or electrical systems, except as may be permitted by this chapter. 1101.3 Other work. Any alteration work within an existing building to which an addition is being made shall comply with the applicable requirements for the work as classified in Chapter 6. 1101.4 Work that increases floor surface area of an existing building by more than 110 percent. Where an addition including alteration made to an existing building causes the existing floor surface area to be increased by more than 110 percent pursuant to Section 302.7, the entire building shall be made to comply with the provisions of the New York City Building Code as if it were a new construction hereafter erected.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1102 Heights and Areas

Section EBC 1102: Heights and Areas 1102.1 Height limitations. No addition shall increase the height of an existing building beyond that permitted under the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 of the New York City Building Code for new construction. 1102.2 Area limitations. No addition shall increase the area of an existing building beyond that permitted under the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 of the New York City Building Code for new construction unless fire separation, as required by the New York City Building Code, is provided. Exception: In-filling of floor openings and non-occupiable appendages, such as elevator and exit stairway shafts, shall not be included in determining the floor area as set forth in Chapter 5 of the New York City Building Code. 1102.3 Fire areas. Existing fire areas increased by the addition shall comply with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code. 1102.4 Additions made to certain multiple dwellings. Vertical and horizontal additions made to multiple dwellings erected in accordance with the law in effect before December 6, 1968, shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Chapters D5, D6, and D7 of Appendix D. 1102.5 Existing buildings within the fire district. In accordance with Section 302.6 and Appendix D of the New York City Building Code, an existing building shall not hereafter be increased in height or area unless it is of a type of construction permitted for new buildings within the fire district or altered to comply with the requirements for such type of construction. Nor shall any existing building be hereafter extended on any side, nor square footage or floors added within the existing building, unless such modifications are of a type of construction permitted for new buildings within the fire district. Exceptions: 1. Existing one- and two-family dwellings of a type of construction not permitted in the fire district can be extended by 25 percent of the floor area existing at the time the building was included in the fire district. Such extension shall be of any type of construction permitted by the New York City Building Code. 2. Prior code one- and two-family dwellings of construction class VA may be enlarged to a maximum height of 50 feet (15.2 m) or 4 stories, whichever is less, and a maximum area of 5,000 square feet (465 m2) per floor, where such building is protected with a sprinkler system and smoke alarm system in compliance with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1103 Structural

Section EBC 1103: Structural 1103.1 Compliance with Chapter 7 of the New York City Existing Building Code. Additions to existing buildings or structures are new construction and shall comply with the New York City Building Code and Chapter 7 1103.2 Flood hazard areas. Additions and foundations in flood hazard areas shall comply with Appendix G of the New York City Building Code and Chapter 7. 1103.3 Structural condition assessment. Additions to existing buildings or structures shall require an initial structural condition assessment in accordance with Section 704.2. Where the addition to the existing building or structure includes a structural alteration or an increase in loads applied to the existing building or structure, a detailed structural condition assessment in accordance with Section 704.3 is also required.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1104 Fire Protection

Section EBC 1104: Fire Protection 1104.1 Requirements. Fire protection systems shall be provided in additions to existing buildings in accordance with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code where such systems would be required in new construction for a space or building or where required by the New York City Fire Code. 1104.2 Sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems shall be provided in additions to a building as required by Section 1104.1. Exception: Sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in additions to unsprinklered buildings to be occupied exclusively as one- or two-family dwellings. This exception shall not apply where sprinkler protection is otherwise required due to a change of occupancy or alterations made to the existing building pursuant to Chapters 9 or 10, or where sprinkler protection is required by the New York City Fire Code. 1104.3 Standpipe systems. Standpipe systems shall be provided in additions to existing buildings as required by Section 1104.1, and Sections 1104.3.1 and 1104.3.2 for prior code buildings. 1104.3.1 Additions made to prior code buildings with existing standpipe systems. Where the alteration involves the addition of stories to a building with an existing standpipe system, and 1 or more stair shafts are not currently equipped with standpipes, standpipes shall be provided in all required stairways in accordance with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code. Exception: Additional standpipes are not required where all of the following conditions are met: 1. The alteration involves the addition of only 1 story; 2. Existing standpipes in existing stair shafts are extended in accordance with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code; 3. Standpipe hose connections are provided in compliance with Item 6 of Section 905.4 of the New York City Building Code; and 4. The demand on the standpipe system, including any additional demand, with respect to flow and pressure does not exceed the capacity of the existing approved system. 1104.3.2 Additions made to prior code buildings with no existing standpipe systems. Where the alteration involves the addition of stories to a building with no existing standpipe system, standpipes shall be provided in all required stairways in accordance with Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code. Exception: Standpipes are not required where all of the following conditions are met: 1. The alteration involves the addition of only 1 story; 2. The completed building does not exceed 6 stories; and 3. The completed building does not exceed 85 feet (22.86 m) in height. 1104.4 Fire alarm requirements for additions made to buildings. Fire alarm systems shall be provided in additions as required by Section 1104.1, and the existing building shall comply with Sections 1104.4.1 through 1104.4.3 as applicable. The fire alarm components for additions shall be connected to the fire alarm system serving the main use or dominant occupancy of the existing building. 1104.4.1 Large-area buildings. Additions resulting in a large-area building shall comply with Sections 1104.4.1.1 and 1104.4.1.2. 1104.4.1.1 Fire alarm in large-area building. Where the addition results in the building being classified as a large-area building pursuant to Section 907.2.2.2, 907.2.7.1, 907.2.10.1, or 907.2.8.5 of the New York City Building Code, the fire alarm requirements of those sections shall apply to the entire building. 1104.4.1.2 Auxiliary radio communications systems in large-area buildings. Where the addition results in the total building area exceeding 250,000 square feet (23 226 m2), an auxiliary radio communication system in accordance with Section 916 of the New York City Building Code shall be provided. Exception: Auxiliary radio communications systems shall not be required in buildings constructed pursuant to building codes in effect prior to November 7, 2022, where the addition does not exceed 10 percent of the building area in existence or indicated on filed plans on or before such date. 1104.4.2 High-rise buildings. Where the vertical addition to the existing building results in the building being classified as a high-rise building subject to Section 403 of the New York City Building Code, the fire alarm requirements of Section 907.2.13 of the New York City Building Code shall apply to the entire building. Exception: In prior code buildings, compliance with Section 907.2.13 of the New York City Building Code shall not be required where the vertical addition is limited to a penthouse level that does not exceed 33 and one-third percent of the roof area including other rooftop structures in accordance with Section 504.3 of the New York City Building Code. 1104.4.3 Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm detection in existing portions of a building. Where an addition is made to a building or structure of a Group R-2 occupancy that constitutes a portion of a dwelling unit, the entire remaining portion of the dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as required by Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code. 1104.5 Other alteration work. Any alteration work within an existing building to which an addition is being made shall comply with the fire protection requirements of Chapters 8 or 9 of this code, as applicable.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1105 Means of Egress

Section EBC 1105: Means of Egress 1105.1 General. Means of egress from an addition to an existing building or structure shall comply with Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code and with this section. Means of egress from additions shall be permitted to utilize existing exit facilities of the building or structure in accordance with sections 1105.2 through 1105.3. Compliance with Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code for the new addition’s means of egress shall not conflict with the safe use of the existing egress facilities. 1105.2 The addition does not increase the existing floor surface area by more than 110 percent. Where the addition including alteration made to the building does not exceed the existing floor surface area by more than 110 percent pursuant to Section 302.7, the existing exit facilities shall be permitted to be utilized by the new addition to discharge onto the outside, subject to Sections 1105.2.1 and 1005.2.2. Such existing exit facilities shall be in compliance with the terms of their approval prior to the proposed addition. 1105.2.1. Prior code buildings. Means of egress components serving the addition shall comply with Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code or as permitted by Section 305.5. 1105.2.1.1 Vertical exits. In prior code buildings, existing vertical exits may be extended to serve the addition, maintaining its width, in compliance with Section 305.5 provided the occupant load of the new addition shall not exceed the capacity of the existing stairs. 1105.2.2 Horizontal additions. Where the horizontal addition contains a new egress stair, such stair shall comply with Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code. The new addition shall be permitted to utilize the additional exit facilities provided in the existing portion of the building. Where such existing building is a prior code building, use of existing means of egress shall be permitted to comply with Section 305.5. 1105.3 Work that increases existing floor surface area of an existing building by more than 110 percent. Where the addition including alteration made to the building involves an increase in the floor surface area by more than 110 percent, as per Section 1101.4, the entire means of egress system for the building including the addition shall comply with Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code as if hereafter erected. Exception: The existing means of egress need not be altered to meet the requirements of Chapter 10 of the New York City Building Code as hereafter erected where the horizontal addition made to the existing building acts as an independent building section meeting all the following conditions: 1. The horizontal addition is provided with means of egress independent of the existing building; 2. The horizontal addition is separated from the existing building by a minimum of two-hour rated fire barrier; and 3. The horizontal addition complies with all applicable fire protection requirements of Chapter 9 of the New York City Building Code.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1106 Accessibility

Section EBC 1106: Accessibility 1106.1 Minimum requirements. Accessibility provisions of Chapter 11 of the New York City Building Code for new construction shall apply to additions. An addition that affects the accessibility to, or contains an area of, primary function shall also comply with the requirements of Sections 806 and 906, as applicable. 1106.2 Additions requiring accessibility throughout a building. In accordance with Section 1101.4, where an addition, including any alteration made to the building, increases the existing floor surface area of the existing building by more than 110 percent, the entire building shall be made to comply with Chapter 11 of the New York City Building Code as if it were new construction hereafter erected.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1107 Energy Conservation

Section EBC 1107: Energy Conservation 1107.1 Minimum requirements. Additions to existing buildings shall conform to the energy requirements of the New York City Energy Conservation Code as they relate to new construction.

NYC Existing Building Code § EBC 1108 Other Building Systems

Section EBC 1108: Other Building Systems 1108.1 General. Additions to building systems, elements, and components in existing buildings shall be subject to Sections 1108.2 through 1108.6. 1108.2 Plumbing. Where additions are made to existing buildings, the alterations and additions to plumbing systems, equipment, and appliances shall be in accordance with the New York City Plumbing Code and this code, as required by Section 310. 1108.3 Fuel gas. Where additions are made to existing buildings, the alterations and additions to fuel gas piping systems, equipment, and appliances shall be in accordance with the New York City Fuel Gas Code and this code, as required by Section 311. 1108.4 Mechanical. Where additions are made to existing buildings, the alterations and additions to mechanical systems, equipment, or appliances shall be in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code and this code, as required by Section 309. 1108.5 Electrical. Where additions are made to existing buildings, the alterations and additions to electrical systems, equipment, and appliances shall be in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code and this code, as required by Section 308. 1108.6 Elevators. Where additions are made to existing buildings, the alterations and additions to existing elevators shall be in accordance with Chapter 30 and Appendix K of the New York City Building Code. Exception: Extensions of existing elevators are not required to serve penthouse structures comprising the upper level of a multi-story R-2 occupancy dwelling unit located upon the roof of a sixth story of a building erected in accordance with the laws in effect before December 6, 1968 and provided that the building is deemed to be 6 stories or less pursuant to Section 504.3 of the New York City Building Code. 1108.6.1 Existing non-elevator buildings. Where vertical additions are made to existing non-elevator buildings such that the number of stories exceeds the limits specified by Chapter 30 of the New York City Building Code, such buildings shall be provided with at least 1 elevator that accesses all floors. Exceptions: 1. The addition of a penthouse level above an existing 4-story non-elevator building in Group R-2, where such building is constructed in accordance with the laws in effect on December 6, 1968 or later, provided the penthouse addition meets both of the following conditions: a. The area of the penthouse addition and other roof structures do not constitute a new story as described in Chapter 15 of the New York City Building Code; and b. The addition is directly connected to the existing dwelling unit below. 2. Vertical additions to multiple dwellings constructed pursuant to laws in effect before December 6, 1968, as provided for in Section D306.1 of Appendix D of the New York City Building Code. 1108.7 Other alteration work within the existing building. Any alteration work within an existing building to which an addition is being made shall comply with the plumbing, fuel gas, mechanical, electrical, or elevator requirements of Chapters 8 and 9, as applicable.

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/0-0-0-242478Fetched: 10/24/2026