RTU Screening NYC — DOB Requirements
NYC DOB requires rooftop mechanical equipment to be concealed from public view on most commercial projects — from Midtown towers visible along Park Avenue to low-rise roofs in Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. The code demands all-sides screening, parapet-relative heights, and stamped shop drawings before the mechanical permit closes.
RTU screening NYC — what DOB examiners look for
All-sides elevations — not just a plan view
NYC requires mechanical equipment on roofs to be screened on all sides. A street-facing elevation alone will not pass plan review. Your submittal needs sections and elevations from every visible angle — including sightlines from the High Line, the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge decks, the 7 train viaduct in Long Island City, and neighboring rooftops in dense blocks like NoHo and the Garment District.
Height relative to parapet — not equipment height alone
Screen height must be measured against the parapet line, not just the equipment itself. On pre-war flat roofs in the West Village or post-war towers along Third Avenue, the parapet-to-equipment relationship differs on every job. A parapet tall enough to screen the unit may count on that side — but your drawings must show it explicitly.
Attachment method and loads — wind and gravity on one sheet
DOB expects wind and gravity loads, attachment method, and structural coordination on the same drawing set. Separating structural from architectural details is one of the most common causes of plan review comments.
Finish schedule — material, gauge, coating, color
Material specification matters. Solid 26-gauge steel panels, perforated faces with defined open area (50% or less), powder coat with corrosion-inhibiting primer — all of this belongs on the finish schedule, not in a verbal note to the examiner.
Common NYC plan review comments on rooftop screening
| Comment | What it means | How we resolve it |
|---|---|---|
| Generic catalog reference submitted | Examiners need site-specific drawings, not a manufacturer's cut sheet | We issue shop drawings sized to your roof plan, equipment schedule, and parapet line |
| Missing all-sides elevations | Only street-facing or plan-view screening was shown | Full elevation set from every visible angle, including neighboring vantage points |
| No attachment calculation | Structural loads and mounting method not documented | Wind and gravity loads on one sheet, coordinated with your engineer of record |
| Factory casing cited as screen | Equipment manufacturer's cover does not satisfy NYC screening rules | Separate screen wall meeting opacity and open-area requirements per DOB Buildings Bulletin 2025-013 |
| Height shown without parapet reference | Equipment height alone does not establish compliance | Sections showing screen height relative to parapet on every side |
The December 2024 zoning amendment (Sections §26-52 and §37-22 of the NYC Zoning Resolution) expanded citywide coverage for rooftop equipment screening. Confirm every assumption with your authority having jurisdiction before fabrication.
How CME packages a DOB-ready screening submittal
- 1
Roof plan + equipment schedule
You share what you have — roof plan, permit address, or equipment list. We start from your documents, not a catalog.
- 2
Shop drawings issued
Sections, elevations, heights relative to parapet, attachment method. DOB-readable, not a sales drawing.
- 3
Submittal review
We stay on the thread through plan review comments and resubmissions. One contact, not a call center.
- 4
Fabrication
Custom panels cut to your approved drawings. No field surgery. Trim pieces included.
- 5
Freight + install
Our crew meets your super on the roof — whether that's elevator-only access on a Midtown high-rise or a boom truck staging on Northern Boulevard in Queens. Freight, sequencing, and install on one call.
Rooftop screening services NYC → How RTU screening NYC works → Request a screening quote →
Need a DOB-ready screening package?
Share the roof plan, DOB job number, or permit address — we'll scope screening for your borough, your parapet, and your examiner. Timeline and next steps, not a catalog PDF.