PREPARATION OF LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS
Applications reviewed by City Planning consist of land use and environmental applications. Before beginning to prepare the applications, the applicant should have met with City Planning to discuss the proposal and finalize both the land use actions and level of environmental review necessary to facilitate the project. The forms and standards for all the required materials are below:
| APPLICATION REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST |
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 Download the Application Requirement Checklist
The checklist can help applicants to understand what is required for each type of land use action. Application requirements will be confirmed by the Department of City Planning project team at the Interdivisional Meeting. |
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LAND USE FORMS AND STANDARDS
Land use applications consist of a land use application form and attachments that clearly describe the proposed land use actions and any development that may be facilitated by or approved as a part of the proposed actions. Click on an application type to see the detailed explanation and requirements and to access standards and samples.
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Non-ULURP Application Types
- Zoning Authorizations (ZA)
An authorization is a discretionary action taken by the City Planning Commission (CPC) that modifies specific zoning requirements if certain findings have been met. Authorizations are not subject to ULURP review, and the CPC does not hold public hearings on authorizations. The CPC generally refers such applications to the appropriate community board(s) for comment.
Zoning Certifications (ZC)
A certification is a non-discretionary action taken by the City Planning Commission, or its Chairperson, informing the Department of Buildings that an as-of-right development has complied with specific conditions set forth in accordance with provisions of the Zoning Resolution.
Zoning Text Amendment (ZR)
Zoning Text Amendments are changes to the text of the New York City Zoning Resolution. Text Amendments do not require the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, however, in practice; the Department of City Planning refers Zoning Text Amendments to the Community Board for review.
Special South Richmond Development District Authorizations (RA)
A Zoning Authorization within the Special South Richmond Development District (SSRDD) is a discretionary action taken by the City Planning Commission (CPC) that modifies specific zoning requirements if certain findings have been met. Authorizations are not subject to ULURP review and the CPC does not hold public hearings on authorizations. The CPC generally refers such applications to the appropriate community board(s) for comments.
The BluePRint Team will soon be at work on application standards and samples for SSRDD Authorizations. Check back here for more information.
Special South Richmond Development District Certifications (RC)
A Special South Richmond Development District certification is a non-discretionary action taken by the City Planning Commission, or its Chairperson, informing the Department of Buildings that an as-of-right development has complied with specific conditions set forth in accordance with provisions of the Zoning Resolution.
The BluePRint Team will soon be at work on application standards and samples for SSRDD Certifications. Check back here for more information.
Enclosed Sidewalk Café (EC)
Enclosed Sidewalk Cafés allow restaurateurs to enliven public streets by creating outdoor seating for restaurants in approved locations, along specific streets. The application requirements for Enclosed Sidewalk Cafés are governed by the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. For more information regarding Sidewalk Cafés of all types, please contact the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
The following guide is also helpful in thinking through the creation of Enclosed Sidewalk Café Applications.
Easement Delineation (ME)
An easement allows for an entity or individual to have limited use of another’s property for a specific purpose. Please contact the Department’s Technical Review Division to discuss new easements or modifications to existing easements and the associated application requirements.
Other Actions
- Follow-Up or Renewal of Previous Application (CM)
Follow-up actions and renewals of past actions require early and close consultation with the Department of City Planning. Please contact the appropriate Borough Office to discuss your project.
- Business Franchise
A franchise is a grant by an agency of a right to occupy or use the inalienable property of the city to provide a public service such as a private bus line or bus stop shelters.
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ULURP Application Types
- Zoning Map Amendment (ZM)
A Zoning Map Amendment is a change in designation or a change in district boundaries for any zoning district on the New York City Zoning Map. Zoning Map Amendments are discretionary actions subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
Change in the City Map (MM)
The City Map is the official adopted map of the city. It shows the location, dimension and grades of streets, parks, public places, and certain public easements. The Director of City Planning is the custodian of the City Map. City Map changes are applications to alter, add, or remove elements from the City Map.
Zoning Special Permits (ZS)
A special permit is a discretionary action by the City Planning Commission, subject to ULURP review, or the Board of Standards and Appeals, which may modify use, bulk, or parking regulations if certain conditions and findings specific in the Zoning Resolution are met.
South Richmond District Special Permits (RS)
Special permits within the Special South Richmond Development District (SSRDD) are discretionary approvals that can modify zoning controls within the Special District, such as use, bulk, and parking. Special Permits are reviewed by the City Planning Commission pursuant to the Zoning Resolution and are subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
The BluePRint Team will soon be at work on application standards and samples for SSRDD certifications. Check back here for more information.
Landfills (ML)
Landfill applications are application for the establishment of sanitary or waterfront landfills.
Other Actions
- Revocable Consent
A revocable consent is a grant by the city, revocable at will, for private use on, over or under city property such as bridges over streets or street furniture. Revocable consents that the Department of City Planning has determined do not have land use impacts or implications are not subject to ULURP.
- Major Concession
A major concession is a grant made by an agency for the private use of city-owned property, and which has significant land use impacts and implications or which requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement. The City Planning Commission has established rules for determining if a concession is major and requires ULURP review.
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City Sponsored Projects/Applications Types
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Non-ULURP Actions
Office Space Lease (PX)
Applications for the leasing of office space by city agencies are typically filed by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Office space lease actions are non-ULURP and are required to move through the approval process on a specific timeline.
For this application type, a Fair Share Analysis will be required. Information about how to conduct this analysis can be found in the “Fair Share Description”.
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Other Non-ULURP Actions
Landmark or Historic District Designation (HK)
Proposed New York City Landmarks and Historic Districts are submitted to the Department of City Planning by the Landmarks Preservation Commission to ensure that the landmark designation does not conflict with the Zoning Resolution, projected public improvements or any plans for development, growth, improvement, or renewal in the vicinity of the landmark. Landmark designations are non-ULURP actions.
Amended Drainage Plan (MD)
Amended drainage plans are submitted to the Department of City Planning for a review of their consistency with the City Map. Drainage plans are non-ULURP actions submitted to DCP by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.
Business Improvement Districts (BD)
Applicants working to create a Business Improvement District (BID) work with the NYC Department of Small Business Services to create an application for a (BID). Please contact the NYC Department of Small Business Services for more information. A guide to the BID approval process is located at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sbs/html/neighborhood/bid.shtml
197-A Plans
197-A Plans are formal community-based plans, as set out in Section 197-A of the City Charter, which authorizes community boards and borough boards, along with the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, the Department of City Planning, and any Borough President, to sponsor plans for the development, growth, and improvement of the city, its boroughs and communities. Once approved by the Commission and adopted by the City Council, 197-a plans guide future actions of city agencies in the areas addressed in the plans. More information about 197-A Plans can be found at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/community_planning/197a.shtml
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ULURP Actions
Urban Development Action Areas (UDDAP) (HA)
Housing and urban renewal plans and projects, pursuant to city, state and federal laws are required to be reviewed by the City Planning Commission. This action is subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
Combination Acquisition and Site Selection by the City (PC)
Acquisition and site selection actions are used to purchase and site public facilities in one action. The Combination Acquisitions and Site Selection action is commonly used for projects including the selection of sites for new city facilities such as sanitation garages, fire houses, libraries and sewage treatment plants. These actions are subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
For this application type, a Fair Share Analysis will be required. Information about how to conduct this analysis can be found in the “Fair Share Description”.
Disposition of Non-Residential City-Owned Property (PP)
Dispositions of non-residential city-owned property are used to release property acquired by the city for use or development by another party. This includes the sale, lease, or exchange of real property. This action is subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
Acquisition of Property by the City (PQ)
Acquisition of real property by the city occurs when the city endeavors to acquire real property for the purposes of community or city use. Office space acquisition is excluded and subject to a separate review pursuant to Section 195 of the City Charter. This action is subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
Site Selection (City Facility) (PS)
Site selection for capital projects includes the selection of sites for new city facilities such as sanitation garages, fire houses, libraries and sewage treatment plants. A capital project is the construction or acquisition of a public improvement classified as a capital asset of the city. This action is subject to the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.
For this application type, a Fair Share Analysis will be required. Information about how to conduct this analysis can be found in the “Fair Share Description”.
A Doing Business with the City Form is required for all land use actions, unless:
- Homeowner applicants with one, two or three family dwellings.
- Not-for-profit neighborhood, community or similar associations. Note that other not-for-profit applicants, however, must complete the form.
- City agency ULURP applications without a private co-applicant do not require forms.
Other standards and samples are forthcoming, as the BluePRint standards team continues its work. Whenever new standards, templates, or samples become available, they will be noted with a red “NEW” label underneath the document.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
The following boilerplate legal documents may be downloaded and modified to apply to a particular application. Instructions included within each document explain how the boilerplate forms may be used and the requirements for submission directly to the Counsel's Office. The current set of boilerplate legal documents is not comprehensive. Additional documents will be added in the future.
Please be advised that the Department of City Planning reserves the right to modify the provisions of its boilerplate as it deems necessary and may provide a more current version at any time. These provisions are not negotiable. The City of New York will not accept any alteration, deletion, or modification that reduces or otherwise changes the obligations of the Owner/Declarant or the rights of the City of New York.
Prior to executing or recording one of the following legal instruments, read the instructions at the bottom of this page, AND carefully review the " Common Errors To Avoid", which can be printed out and used as a checklist.
Notices of Restrictions (NOR)
Notices of Certification (NOC)
Recordation Requirements for
Restrictive Declarations,
Notices of Restrictions and
Notices of Certification
I. Executing or Waiving/Subordinating Restrictive Declaration
- All fee owners must execute a Restrictive Declaration
- The following form waiver/subordination, (
 Download Waiver/Subordination Form), is to be used by mortgagees that are parties-in-interest but are not executing a Restrictive Declaration.
II. Certifications of Parties-In-Interest to a Zoning Lot
- The Department of City Planning (“DCP”) will not accept such certification if certified by the title company more than four months prior to the date the associated Restrictive Declaration is executed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, DCP reserves the right to request a more recent certification.
III. Requirements for plans attached as exhibits
- The plans attached as an exhibit must be signed and sealed.
- The plans attached as an exhibit must be legible in a reduced format (8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14.) If not fully legible at this reduced size, larger plans must be segmented onto 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14 pages.
- Segmented plans should show overlap along the common edges.
- A segmented plan need only be signed and sealed on one page. Each page of the exhibit with the segmented plans should contain the following notation: Exhibit B, [plan number], page 1 of X, 2 of X, etc. (where X is the total number of pages in the plan.)
IV. Recording
A. In Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens:
- DCP must receive for review and sign-off, prior to recordation, two original versions of the fully executed Restrictive Declaration, Notice of Restrictions or Notice of Certification, including Exhibits. One of the originals will be returned to the applicant’s representative following approval for recordation, and the other will be retained by DCP.
- DCP-approved Restrictive Declarations, Notices of Restrictions or Notices of Certification must be recorded by the applicant/applicant’s representative at the Office of the City Register in the Borough in which the property is located.
- Restrictive Declarations, Notices of Restrictions and Notices of Certification must be filed as a "Sundry Miscellaneous" document type.
B. In Staten Island:
- DCP must receive for review and sign-off, prior to recordation, two original versions of the fully executed Restrictive Declaration or Notice of Restrictions, including Exhibits. One of the originals will be returned to the applicant’s representative following approval for recordation, and the other will be retained by DCP.
- DCP-approved Restrictive Declarations and Notices of Restrictions must be recorded by the applicant/applicant’s representative at the Office of the Richmond County Clerk.
- Restrictive Declarations must be filed as a "Declaration" document type.
- Notices of Restrictions must be filed as a "Notice" document type.
V. Proof of recordation
A. All documentation should be submitted directly to DCP Counsel's Office, to the
attention of the attorney assigned to the application.
B. In Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, submit the documentation
described below:
C. In Staten Island, submit the documentation described below in (1), (2) or (3),
depending on the applicant’s preference, and 4, if applicable:
| (1) |
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Two copies of the document, including the recording and endorsement cover page, as recorded at the website of the Richmond County Clerk at: http://www2.landaccess.com/cgibin/homepage?County=8007 |
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| (2) |
- One certified copy of the recorded document, including the recording and endorsement cover page, as certified by the Richmond County Clerk with a multicolor stamp and raised seal.
- One additional copy of the Certified document
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| (3) |
- Two copies of the document submitted for recording
- One original Affidavit of Delivery ( Download Affidavit of Delivery) and one additional copy
- Accompanying each copy of the recorded document, copies of the:
- Recording and Endorsement Cover Page
- Payment receipt
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| And, IF APPLICABLE |
| (4) |
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If more than 1 tax lot is affected, also provide the "index page." The index page identifies all of the tax lots against which the document was recorded.
View a sample index page. |
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FORMS
At the Interdivisional and RWCDS Meetings, the EARD division will advise you on the level of environmental review you will need to complete.
The environmental review forms can be found at Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination (MOEC).
For your reference, you can also access current environmental analyses:
View current scoping documents.
View current Draft Environmental Impact Statements.
View current Final Environmental Impact Statements.
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