Zoning Enforcement:
The NYC Department of Buildings has primary responsibility for enforcing the Zoning Resolution and for interpreting its provisions. Among its responsibilities, the Department of Buildings:
• Issues building permits after review of building plans to determine compliance with the Zoning Resolution and the Building Code
• Reviews and grants applications for certificates of occupancy, allowing legal occupancy of new or altered structures
• Interprets provisions of the Zoning Resolution, subject to appeal to the BSA, and issues procedures and guidelines for its administration
• Orders the remedy of zoning violations and, as appropriate, prosecutes violations
• Maintains public records of all building permits, certificates of occupancy, inspections, violations and other property profile information, available at nyc.gov/buildings.
In some cases, administrative and enforcement responsibilities are delegated to other agencies with special expertise. For example, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection enforces industrial performance standards related to air quality and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development administers Inclusionary Housing provisions.
1Some as-of-right developments require certification by the CPC or CPC Chairperson to DOB that certain technical zoning regulations have been met. Certifications are not discretionary actions.