Permits by jurisdiction
Permitting is the #1 driver of install timing. The boroughs are the fastest; Westchester and Yonkers take a few weeks and carry violation risk.
Company policy: every job gets permits
Section titled “Company policy: every job gets permits”“We are pulling permits on every single install.” — Jonathan
There are no shortcuts. Every job — decommissioning or not, NYC or upstate — gets the proper permits filed. This is core to Sunny’s integrity policy and protects the homeowner, the rep, and the company.
Some HVAC companies skip permits to “get it done quicker.” Sunny doesn’t. This becomes a critical selling point when reps are pitching alongside solar — solar inspections will fail if the HVAC permit isn’t on file. See Solar interaction for the bundling rules.
Permit speed by jurisdiction
Section titled “Permit speed by jurisdiction”| Jurisdiction | Turnaround | Net |
|---|---|---|
| NYC boroughs (Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan) | 1–2 days | Next-day install possible |
| Westchester | 2–3 weeks | Moderate |
| Yonkers | 2–3 weeks | Moderate + violation risk |
Before setting expectations in Yonkers or Westchester, confirm current permit capacity with management. Those jurisdictions depend on the available master electrician / permit path, so a temporary capacity issue can turn a normal 2–3 week timeline into a pipeline hold.
Which permits each job needs
Section titled “Which permits each job needs”| Job type | Permits required |
|---|---|
| Decommissioning | Electrical + mechanical + plumbing |
| Non-decommissioning install | Electrical only |
| Hybrid: keep gas + heat pump | Electrical only (boiler stays as primary heat) |
Why the mechanical permit is decommissioning-only
Section titled “Why the mechanical permit is decommissioning-only”Mechanical permits are tied to primary heating source. When mini splits or central heat pumps replace the boiler as the primary heat source, the mechanical permit is required. On non-decommissioning jobs, the boiler stays primary — no mechanical permit needed.
Violations in Westchester / Yonkers
Section titled “Violations in Westchester / Yonkers”Yonkers violation fines: $8,000 first offense. Up to $32,000 by third offense.
If a homeowner has solar pending inspection and you install heat pumps without permits, they can get a violation that can hit $8K immediately. See Solar interaction.
This is why pulling permits before install matters in Yonkers/Westchester.
Solar interaction
Section titled “Solar interaction”Detailed on Solar interaction. Quick version:
- Solar already installed + inspection passed: HVAC install can happen first, permits pulled after
- Solar pending inspection: HVAC permits MUST be pulled before install or homeowner gets a violation
The homeowner pulling their own permits
Section titled “The homeowner pulling their own permits”Doesn’t happen in practice. Sunny pulls all permits.