General Election
New York CityProposal 4
Building and waterfront permits
Changes who can approve construction documents, how applications are submitted and which agency oversees waterfront construction.
What changes
3 provisions1Approval authority
Permit additional deputy and borough commissioners and citywide delegation of specified authority.
Approval authority
Permit additional deputy and borough commissioners and citywide delegation of specified authority.
Today
The charter limits the designated Buildings officials who may approve construction documents.
What stays in place
Written delegation and applicable appeals procedures remain.
When: Upon certification of voter approval
2Shared permitting system
Require agencies to cooperate on a single system and accept applications through it.
Shared permitting system
Require agencies to cooperate on a single system and accept applications through it.
Today
Agencies receive construction applications through separate systems.
What stays in place
The requirement is subject to appropriations and the Buildings commissioner’s feasibility determination.
When: Target: 2029-12-01; later date permitted for feasibility
Conditions and exceptions
- The abstract summarizes this as “by 2030”; the amendment specifies December 1, 2029 with an extension allowed.
3Waterfront construction
Transfer the relevant permitting and code-enforcement responsibilities to Buildings.
Waterfront construction
Transfer the relevant permitting and code-enforcement responsibilities to Buildings.
Today
Small Business Services handles specified waterfront construction permitting.
What stays in place
Existing permits and approvals remain effective.
When: 2030-12-31 or the effective date of a new waterfront-structure code, whichever is sooner