Land Use & Zoning

NYC City Council

What is land use?

Land use applications are requests to change how a piece of land in NYC can be used — like building a new development, converting a building to a different use, or getting a special permit. Every significant land use change in the city goes through a public review process that includes the community board, borough president, City Planning Commission, and City Council.

Rezoning — changing what can be built on a block

Special Permit — allowing a use that isn't normally permitted

Change of Use — converting a building to a different type of use

City Property — selling or disposing of city-owned land