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Environmental Review

LPC’s Environmental Review department assists federal, state, and city agencies whose projects are subject to the environmental review process. The department offers guidance and information about impacts those projects may have on the city’s archaeological and architectural resources. Architectural resources generally include historically important buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts. Archaeological resources are physical remains that are found beneath the surface, such as burials, foundations, artifacts, wells and privies.

As part of the review process, the Environmental Review department combines findings from LPC’s Research and Archaeology departments into its final comments. Both departments identify properties, districts, or sites that may be eligible for landmark designation, are already landmarked, or are eligible for or listed on the state and national registers of historic places.

Not all projects require archaeology reviews. In cases where no in-ground construction or excavation is proposed or will result from the project, an archaeological review may not be necessary.

The Environmental Review department’s comments provide information regarding significant properties or sites and findings of potential impacts uncovered during the review process, if any. If the proposed project significantly impacts these properties or sites, the Environmental Review department works with the lead agency to mitigate or reduce the impact as much as possible.

LPC environmental review may sometimes involve projects affecting landmarked properties and require an LPC permit, or require a review only from state and federal agencies. For example, if a City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) project affects a landmarked property that’s under review for an LPC work permit, there is no need to complete the LPC permit process prior to completing the environmental review. The Environmental Review department’s comments will indicate that the LPC permit process is under way.

If a project involves only state and federal funding or permitting and does not involve any city permits or funding, the Environmental Review department must be contacted to determine whether the project affects an existing landmark or a property that’s eligible for landmark status.

If you’re a city, state, or federal agency, you can ask the Environmental Review department to determine a project’s compliance with city, state, and federal environmental standards.

Download the submission requirements to request an environmental review/pre-review


NYC Energy Conservation Code and Historic Buildings (updated 9/10/2026)

Thee Landmarks Preservation Commission is not involved in reviewing or approving exemptions from the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). Under the 2025 NYCECC, historic buildings may qualify for partial exemptions from specific Energy Code requirements when compliance would adversely affect identified character-defining historic features.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) is responsible for determining whether a project qualifies for a partial exemption and for reviewing the required documentation. An LPC designation report, or LPC permit may provide information supporting an exemption, but does not itself establish an exemption from the NYCECC.

Applicants should contact DOB for questions about eligibility, documentation, and the exemption process. LPC does not prepare or approve the Historic Building Reports required for these requests.


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