PLACE OF ASSEMBLY
WHAT EVERY OWNER SHOULD KNOW

THE BASICS
New York City Department of Buildings requires a Place of Assembly or PA permit for all premises where the Certificate of Occupancy Indicates that either :
​
-
75 or more members of the public may gather indoors
-
200 or more members may gather outdoors for group activities such as religious, recreational, educational, political or social purposes.
​
This requirement is to ensure the continuous safety and well being of the public in large groups which is achieved through such elements as proper egress and emergency lighting.

PROCESS
A Place of Assembly Application is required for:
​
-
New Buildings that will require a Place of Assembly Certificate of Operation
-
An Alteration Type 1 in which either:
-
the use or occupancy (number of people allowed in the space) of an existing property changes)
-
the building's egress (the way people leave the building) changes
-
Once it is determined that a Place of Assembly (PA Application is needed the following process will take place:
STEP 1
Submit initial PA Application and documents for Standard Plan Examination
or
Submit initial PA Application and documents for Professional Certification
STEP 2
Department of Buildings performs their inspection
STEP 3
DOB Issues a PA Certificate of Operation

REQUIREMENTS
Outlined below is a list of documents and information that must be submitted with a PA application prior to inspection:
​
-
PA-1 Form
-
Proposed Plans
-
Filing Fee Receipt
-
Copy of the C of O (Certificate of Occupancy)
-
POC-1
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) inspector will be looking for general compliance with the Construction Code, which includes:
​
-
Adequate Egress
-
Lighting
-
Exit Signs
-
Complete Set of DOB Approved
-
Place of Assembly Plans
-
Emergency Lighting Letter
-
Maximum Occupancy Sign
-
Flame Spread Letter

COMPLIANCE
Your PA Certificate of Operation does not expire but each year after the initial issuance, The FDNY will inspect your Establishment & provide you with a Place of Assembly permit based on the results of that inspection. Non-conformance will result in FDNY violations.
​
Quick Facts to Remember:
-
New York City Department of Buildings is the issuance agency of the PA permit and enforces adherence to the NYC Construction Codes.
-
The Fire Department of New York is responsible for annual PA permit inspections and assures compliance with the Fire Code.