Primer: A Basic Guide to Working with the Landmarks Preservation Commission
Aug. 1, 2013 — What's the process for working with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the New York City agency established to protect the city's architectural heritage shortly after the 1963 demolition of the original Penn Station? Here's a quick, handy summary. If you're in a landmarked building or district and your condo or co-op board is contemplating exterior work, print this out and distribute it to your board members so that everyone will have the basic facts. Trust us: That'll save a lot of time and questions.
Step One: The Permit
If you're in a landmarked building or within a landmarked district, you (or more likely your architect) need to apply for a Landmarks Preservation Commission permit before undertaking certain repairs or capital improvements. By law, the commission must review proposals for such alterations and determine whether they have any effect on significant features, and if so, to ensure that any effect be "harmonious or appropriate," in the LPC's words.
Step Two: LPC Review
A staff preservationist reviews the application — which consists of an application form and supporting materials that describe the proposed alteration — and works with the building to find solutions that meet contemporary needs such as safety standards. Once all this is completed, the LPC can issue a permit administratively without involving the full commission. As an alternative, a building can request a public hearing.
Step Three: Wait...
Once your application is complete, the LPC is required to decide within a certain number of days to issue one of three types of permits:
- "Certificate of No Effect" (30 business days)
- "Permit for Minor Work" (20 business days)
- "Certificate of Appropriateness" (90 business days)
...or Maybe Don't Wait
The LPC also offers two options it calls "FasTrack Service" and "Expedited Reviews." With the former, a team of preservationists works exclusively on permits for specific types of work, such as window replacement or HVAC installation on non-visible façades. Projects are approved within 10 days if the application includes the required documents and materials and there are no outstanding LPC violations on your building.
With the latter, a building can request that an application for interior work above the second floor be reviewed on an expedited basis. Interior work eligible for such review cannot involve any change to, replacement of, or penetration of an exterior wall, window, skylight or roof, including penetrations, replacements or changes for ducts, grilles, exhaust intakes, vents or pipes.
For full details see the LPC's online Application Guide.
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