New York City Impact Review Filing Guide

This guide explains how to prepare and file impact review materials for projects in New York City, New York. It focuses on the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) process, coordination with the Department of City Planning for land-use review and the Department of Buildings for permits. Use this guide to identify required forms, submission routes, typical timelines and enforcement channels so you can plan filings, public notices and mitigation commitments efficiently.

Overview of Impact Review in New York City

Impact review for land-use and construction projects in New York City is primarily handled through CEQR and, for discretionary land-use actions, through ULURP and related City Planning procedures. CEQR is administered by the Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination and requires environmental assessment to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed.CEQR overview^[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties and enforcement for failures in the impact review and related permitting depend on the enforcing agency and the underlying statute or regulation. The CEQR process itself establishes procedural obligations and mitigation conditions; monetary penalties specific to CEQR filings are not listed on the CEQR overview page cited below.CEQR overview^[1]

• Monetary fines: not specified on the cited CEQR page; individual agencies (for example DOB) may assess fines under their codes.
• Non-monetary sanctions: conditioned approvals, required mitigation measures, modifications to project scope, and stop-work or permit denial depending on agency authority.
• Enforcer: Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination for CEQR process coordination; Department of City Planning enforces land-use review conditions; Department of Buildings enforces building and construction code compliance.
• Inspection and complaints: file complaints or requests for enforcement with the enforcing agency or with 311 for City services.
• Appeals and review: procedural objections to land-use decisions are typically raised during public hearings and may be subject to judicial review; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited planning and CEQR overview pages.

Applications & Forms

• CEQR forms: Environmental Assessment Forms (EAF/EAS) and guidance are published by the Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination; complete and submit per MOEC instructions.CEQR forms^[2]
• ULURP applications: Department of City Planning (DCP) provides ULURP application procedures and required attachments for discretionary land-use actions.ULURP procedures^[3]
• Fees: filing and review fees vary by agency and application type; specific fee schedules should be checked on the issuing agency's forms or fee pages.
• Submission: follow each agency's online submission portal or paper filing instructions as published on the official forms page.

How CEQR Interacts with Permitting and Land-Use Review

CEQR provides the environmental record that agencies use to set conditions during ULURP or permit reviews; some projects may proceed with simultaneous permit applications while CEQR is underway, subject to agency direction.

• Construction permits: DOB issues building permits and enforces code compliance; coordinate DOB submissions with CEQR findings to ensure permit conditions reflect mitigation commitments.
• Compliance: mitigation measures in the FEIS or agency determinations become conditions of approval enforceable by the responsible agency.

FAQ

What is CEQR and when is it required?

CEQR is the City Environmental Quality Review process used to evaluate environmental impacts of discretionary actions and certain projects; whether CEQR applies depends on the project type and agency jurisdiction.

How long does an impact review take?

Timelines vary by project scope; CEQR review time is not stated as a single fixed period on the overview page and depends on whether an EIS is required and the scope of public review.

Are there fines for filing errors or late submissions?

Monetary fines specific to CEQR filings are not specified on the CEQR overview; enforcement and fines for permitting or code violations are set by the agency with authority, such as DOB.

Who should I contact for questions about forms and filing?

Contact the Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination for CEQR procedural questions, the Department of City Planning for ULURP matters and the Department of Buildings for permit and code questions.

How-To

1. Determine whether your project requires CEQR screening by consulting the MOEC CEQR overview and project thresholds.
2. Prepare the required CEQR form (EAS/EAF) using the templates and instructions on the official forms page.CEQR forms^[2]
3. Coordinate submissions with Department of City Planning if your project involves discretionary land-use actions (ULURP) and with DOB for building permits.
4. Submit forms and supporting materials through the agency portals or as directed; monitor for public comment periods and respond to agency information requests.
5. If an EIS is required, work with the lead agency to scope, publish a Draft EIS, address comments, and finalize mitigation measures.
6. Obtain final permits and ensure mitigation measures are incorporated into approvals and contract documents.

Key Takeaways

• Start CEQR screening early to align environmental review with permitting and ULURP timelines.
• Use official CEQR and ULURP forms from the city's websites to avoid procedural delays.

Help and Support / Resources

• Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination (MOEC)
• Department of City Planning (DCP)
• Department of Buildings (DOB)
• NYC 311

1. [1] Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination - CEQR overview
2. [2] Mayor's Office of Environmental Coordination - CEQR forms
3. [3] Department of City Planning - ULURP procedures