Permit for Minor Work


All LPC permit applications are now filed and processed through Portico, the agency’s new web-based permit application portal.

A Permit for Minor Work (PMW) is issued when the proposed exterior work does not require a Department of Buildings (DOB) permit and is found to be restorative or appropriate in nature.

PMWs are issued by LPC staff preservationists through Portico, and do not require a public hearing before the full Commission or a presentation to the community board. Examples of work that requires a PMW include:

  • Window or door replacement in existing openings
  • Masonry cleaning and brownstone resurfacing
  • Through-window installation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment

When evaluating an application for a PMW, LPC staff reviews the proposed changes to determine whether they are appropriate to the building and/or the historic district.

 

Timing

Applications for Permits for Minor Work that include the required materials and meet LPC’s rules can often be approved within 10 business days from when they are complete. Please note that permit applications that do not include the required materials or do not meet LPC’s rules will require more correspondence with your assigned staff preservationist and additional submissions, and therefore take longer to process.

LPC is legally required to make a decision about PMW applications within 20 business days once the staff has confirmed that an application is complete and includes the required materials.

You can view the status of your application at every stage of the process by logging into your Portico dashboard. Once issued, all permits will be available for download through Portico.

If your application remains incomplete for more than 90 days, your application may be withdrawn.