| What triggers it |
Modest housing rezonings (R1-R5 up to 45 ft/FAR 2, or 30% or less capacity increase in R6+); city land dispositions for affordable housing; waterfront resiliency and flood protection projects |
Any major land use action that doesn't meet ELURP's size limits: large rezonings, manufacturing-to-residential conversions, commercial projects, special permits |
| Who administers it |
NYC Department of City Planning files and certifies; City Planning Commission makes the final decision for most projects |
NYC Department of City Planning; final decision rests with the City Council for most rezonings |
| Community board review |
60 days, runs at the same time as Borough President review |
60 days, must finish before Borough President review can begin |
| Borough president review |
Runs concurrently inside the same 60-day window, adds zero additional time |
30 days added after the Community Board period ends |
| City Planning Commission review |
30 days to hold a hearing and vote, this is the final step for most ELURP projects |
60 days to hold a hearing and vote |
| City Council review |
Skipped for most ELURP projects; only required when state law specifically mandates it |
Up to 50 days; the local Council member can effectively block approval through "member deference" |
| Typical timeline |
90 days, confirmed by the first real-world ELURP application (351 Powers Ave, Mott Haven, approved May 2026) |
Roughly 7 months / 200 days (60 CB + 30 BP + 60 CPC + 50 CC), not counting pre-certification prep |
| Geographic scope |
Citywide, no restriction by borough, neighborhood, or property type |
Citywide, applies to all qualifying land use actions |
| Types of projects most commonly subject to it |
Small-to-mid-scale housing rezonings; city land sold off for affordable housing; waterfront flood protection acquisitions; new parks; solar on public buildings |
Large mixed-use towers; manufacturing-to-residential conversions; any project needing City Council approval under state law |
| Effect on developer underwriting |
Shorter timeline means lower carry cost; no City Council step means no political risk premium; developer can underwrite a higher land price because their risk is lower |
7 months of financing carry gets priced in; Council member opposition is a real deal-killer risk that gets discounted from the land offer |
| Effect on land value for the owner |
Higher land bids, developer shares some of the time and risk savings through a better offer |
Lower land bids, developer hedges for the longer hold and political uncertainty |
| Common owner misconception |
Many owners assume ELURP only applies to city-owned sites or large affordable projects; it also applies to modest private rezonings on ordinary lots near transit |
Many owners assume ULURP approval is guaranteed if the project is good; in practice, one unfriendly Council member can kill it |
