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Green Fast Track for Housing

illustration of houese in different shades of green

Green Fast Track for Housing will allow NYC to build sustainable housing more quickly.

Green Fast Track for Housing streamlines the environmental review process for small- and medium-sized residential developments. By cutting up to two years and $100,000 of red tape, Green Fast Track will speed up construction of much-needed housing across the city.

Green Fast Track for Housing is a city rule that was approved by the City Planning Commission on March 20, 2024.

Which Buildings Are Eligible for Green Fast Track?

Green Fast Track only applies to modest, eco-friendly residential buildings.

To qualify, projects must:

  • Add 175 or fewer units in R1-R4 Residence districts, or 250 or fewer units in R5-R10 Residence, Commercial, or Manufacturing districts. Learn more about zoning districts here.
  • Use all-electric heating instead of fossil fuels for heat and hot water
  • Be located outside the most vulnerable coastal areas or away from major roads
  • Meet specific standards for areas with hazardous materials, industrial emissions, or lots of ambient noise

Read more in-depth details on Green Fast Track requirements here.

Why Is Green Fast Track Needed?

Today’s environmental review process puts unnecessary burdens on modest, sustainable housing projects. To tackle our city’s housing crisis, we must remove these burdens to bring New Yorkers the high-quality housing they need.

The Department of City Planning (NYC Planning) analyzed more than 1,000 environmental reviews over the last decade. NYC Planning consistently found that modest housing projects with certain characteristics had no negative impacts on the environment. By shifting these projects onto the Green Fast Track for Housing, NYC will eliminate as much as two years of environmental review and more quickly deliver homes.

Past Meetings

City Planning Commission Hearing | February 7, 2024
Watch the public hearing on the Green Fast Track proposal held by the City Planning Commission.

Public Info Session | January 29, 2024
Watch the info session and Q&A about the Green Fast Track proposal and timeline.

City Planning Commission Presentation | December 11, 2023
Watch the presentation about Green Fast Track that was shared to the City Planning Commission.

Contact Us

Questions or comments? Please email us at GreenFastTrack@planning.nyc.gov.

Public Documents