Limited Alteration Applications for plumbers

Plumbers often say “AA” for the everyday filing. The name DOB publishes is Limited Alteration Application, abbreviated LAA. DOB does not publish a filing type called “AA.”

DOB defines the LAA as the application for plumbing work, fire suppression piping replacement and repairs, and oil burner installations that do not include construction work. With some exceptions for new installations, it is limited to repair and replacement of existing appliances and piping that do not require a professional engineer or a registered architect.

These are the skilled trades DOB allows to submit an LAA in DOB NOW: Build:

  • Licensed Master Plumbers
  • Licensed Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractors
  • Licensed Oil Burner Installers

For a master plumber, the limited alteration scope is water plumbing or gas plumbing, not both on the same filing. For a fire suppression contractor, the scope is fire suppression work. DOB’s older LAA1 form is the reference sheet for that scope. New-installation and replacement guidelines are posted on the LAA page for water plumbing, gas plumbing, and fire suppression.

DOB’s plumbing permits page says LAA filings in DOB NOW are permitted in real time, and it states a cost limit for repair permits from the LAA/Permit Renewal Unit. Read that page next to the LAA page before you assume a job fits, including the current dollar limit. If the scope is larger than the LAA allows, it is not an LAA.

LAA is not an Alteration

An Alteration is the other filing people sometimes mean by “AA.” On the plumbing permits page, DOB still calls these ALT1 and ALT2. A professional engineer or registered architect files the plans. Plumbing on that job is entered in DOB NOW and referenced to the alteration or new building application. It is not submitted as an LAA.

If the job needs an Alteration, we prepare the application for the design applicant to submit to DOB NOW for review. We track plan review and stay with the job through permit and sign-off. That wording is for the design-applicant filing. On an LAA, the applicant is the licensee, not the architect.

Emergencies

If the licensee cannot file the LAA first but has to answer an emergency or a hazardous condition, DOB allows an Emergency Work Notification in DOB NOW: Build. Licensed master plumbers, licensed master fire suppression piping contractors, and licensed oil burner installers may file that notice and do the emergency work before the Limited Alteration Application. The LAA still has to follow. We can prepare both. We do not do the emergency repair.

What we prepare

Our plumbing contractors page already lists LAA filing and preparation, along with sign-offs and inspections. We prepare the LAA for the licensed applicant to submit. We do not sign it as the master plumber, and we do not perform the work.

DOB NOW filings and inspections describes plan-review jobs filed by a design applicant. Use that page for alterations. Use this one for the LAA. Permit management covers insurance updates that keep a permit from lapsing.

We work in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Call

Call 718-833-2333 or use the contact page. Email info@sandmexpediting.com.