NYC agency · Historic buildings
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
If your building is a landmark or in a historic district, exterior work needs LPC approval before DOB.
What LPC regulates
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designates individual landmarks and historic districts. If your building is designated, most exterior work — windows, facades, roofs, storefronts, even signage — needs an LPC permit (a Certificate of No Effect, a permit for minor work, or a Certificate of Appropriateness) before DOB will issue its permit.
What owners deal with
- LPC permit applications for exterior/visible work.
- Violations for illegal work done without LPC approval — which can force restoration.
- Coordination between LPC approval and DOB permitting timelines.
How to look it up
Check whether your building is designated using LPC’s Discover NYC Landmarks map before planning exterior work.
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 Found something out of date?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.