NYC agency · Zoning relief
Board of Standards & Appeals (BSA)
Grants zoning variances and special permits, and hears appeals of DOB and FDNY determinations.
What BSA does
The Board of Standards and Appeals is the body that grants relief from the strict letter of the zoning and building codes. If your project can’t meet the Zoning Resolution as-of-right, you may seek a variance (use or bulk) or a special permit from BSA. BSA also hears appeals of DOB and FDNY determinations — the place to challenge a Commissioner’s interpretation.
What owners deal with
- Variance and special-permit applications for non-conforming or non-complying work.
- Appeals of DOB objections, denials, or interpretations.
- Renewals and compliance with BSA-granted conditions.
How to look it up
Search BSA’s calendar and application records by address. Zoning that drives whether you need BSA relief is on City Planning’s ZOLA.
Reviewed against current NYC agency guidance by the NYC Building Compliance editorial team. Found something out of date? Tell us. Informational only — not legal or engineering advice.
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NYC Building Compliance is an independent resource, not the City of New York. Rules and dollar amounts change — always confirm against the official pages above or a licensed professional before acting.