Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) Permits for Events & Public Gatherings in New York City
Kohn Architecture NYC provides Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) permits. A TPA permit is needed when at least 75 people gather indoors or at least 200 people gather outdoors, and is issued for events lasting less than 30 days. For instance, this could be for religious, educational, political or social purposes, or to consume food or drink. The Department of Buildings issues TPA Certificates of Operation and approves them on a case-by-case basis.
In all cases, written requests for a TPA Certificate of Operation must be made within 10 days before the event to avoid extra fees. The receipt date of the written request counts as one of the ten business days. Additionally, the FDNY will come to inspect the event to ensure that is is in compliance with the filed TPA. This inspection is subject to hourly fees by the FDNY. Once the inspection is complete, they will issue you an invoice.
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Popsugar Playground
Popsugar Playground is an annual woman’s festival. This event features keynote discussions with A-list celebrities and pop-culture influencers. In addition, it includes fitness and wellness activities, art installations, a shopping bazaar, a beauty carnival, food hall, product exhibits and much more. Kohn Architecture provided the TPA plans to this event that was based on Pier 94 by the Hudson River in NYC. The plans included Temporary Structure Permits for stages and a giant ball pit with slides. Over 14,000 people came to the event over a 2 day period. Kohn Architecture also coordinated with the FDNY to ensure the best safety and compliance.
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Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Brooklyn Children’s Museum is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed for children and families. Specifically, there are many event spaces including a large rooftop garden pavilion. An amazing steel and Kevlar canopy structure encloses the pavilion.
Kohn Architecture has worked with the museum many times to create Temporary Place of Assembly plans for different events. These events range in size of 150 to 1200 people for weddings, parties, bar mitzvahs, cultural events and art exhibits. At this event, Kohn Architecture provided TPA permits on the rooftop pavilion and inside the building.
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Lungevity Breathe Deep NYC
Breathe Deep NYC is sponsored by the LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest network of local events for lung cancer fundraising and awareness. Family, friends, and advocates join thousands of people living with lung cancer at this event. In order to raise money and awareness, the participants walk, run, and volunteer. Breathe Deep NYC was located at the Pier 63 lawn bowl in Hudson River Park overlooking the Hudson River. The event size was over 750 people and included music, speakers, stages, exhibit booths, and start and finish line gates. KOHN Architecture designed and obtained the Temporary Place of Assembly permit for the entire outdoor event.
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El Museo del Barrio
El Museo Del Barrio is the largest cultural institution devoted to Puerto Rican and Latin culture in the United States. It is located on New York City’s famed 5th Avenue Museum Mile. Since 2004, Kohn Architecture has worked with El Museo del Barrio on many projects. For example, Kohn Architecture has provided Place of Assembly permits for the Heckscher Theatre, the administrative offices, the courtyard, and many other projects. KOHN Architecture also provided TPA plans and permits for El Museo’s special exhibitions and gala events. This includes events such as Super Sabado, Museum Mile Day, Dia de los Muertos, art openings and movie premieres.
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Google is the most visited website in the world and the most valuable brand in 2017. It specializes in Internet-related services and products. For instance, Google produces online advertising, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. Google’s New York City offices are located at 111 Eighth Avenue, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. The building size is 2.9 million square feet, making it the city’s 4th largest building in terms of floor area. Kohn Architecture provided TPA plans and permits for Google’s employee unconscious bias awareness training. This includes design and layout of non-flamable plywood panels that held the main texts and images of the exhibit.
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Spring Studio, Urban Art Fair
Spring Studios in one of New York City’s greatest event spaces. It is also a creative agency and production house. It hosts everything from fashion presentations, art exhibits, film and photo shoots, cultural events, parties and dinners. The 120,000 square foot building is located in an old industrial building that preserved its original features. However, it still uses textures and materials with modern aspects such as wood flooring, hot rolled steel, and concrete. Kohn Architecture provided the Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) plans and permit for the Urban Art Fair exhibition. The exhibit is one of New York City’s largest street art fundraising shows featuring more than 120 exhibitors, art demos, and global food stalls. Kohn Architecture was able to provide plans to hold up to 2,500 guests in the space.
FAQs for Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) in NYC
What is a Temporary Place of Assembly?
A Temporary Place of Assembly is required when an interior or exterior space will host more than 74 occupants. Approval typically involves DOB review, FDNY sign-off, and operational planning.
Do I need a TPA for a rooftop?
Yes, if your NYC rooftop event expects more than 74 attendees, you will need a TPA permit. Kohn Architecture understands rooftop and elevated space challenges, including safety compliance, fire access planning, and coordination with DOB and FDNY for approval. This applies to both private and commercial rooftops hosting events, gatherings, or temporary assemblies. Kohn can manage the full approval process, so you meet all code requirements efficiently and safely.
How long does DOB permit expediting take in NYC?
The timeline varies depending on the type of permit and the complexity of the project. Typical permit expediting for building or TPA approvals can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks, though more complex projects may require longer. At Kohn Architecture, permit expediting is part of the firm’s core service offering: handling all DOB applications, agency coordination, inspections scheduling, and follow‑through to final sign‑off, saving clients time and reducing administrative delays.
Are there restrictions on Temporary Place of Assembly locations in NYC?
Yes, TPAs cannot compromise building safety or violate zoning laws. Restrictions may include maximum occupancy, fire exits, safety equipment, and permitted use of public or private spaces. Kohn Architecture assesses zoning and building code requirements before filing to reduce risk of denial or revision.
Can a TPA approval be denied?
Yes, denial may occur if the space fails safety inspections, violates building codes, or does not meet occupancy or zoning regulations. Kohn Architecture’s in‑house expediting and code expertise minimizes the risk of denial by addressing issues up front and shepherding applications through all necessary agency reviews.