Permits, Zoning & Approvals
Building permits, open permits, violations, legalizations, certificates of occupancy, zoning review and agency approvals for property owners, buyers, landlords and businesses.
Records, permits and what was actually built do not always match.
BAWI helps owners understand what is on file, identify what must be corrected and prepare the architectural documents needed to move the project forward.
Whether you are buying, selling, refinancing, answering a violation or planning new work, we start with the record and end with a closed file.
New building & alteration permits
Drawings, applications and filings for new work.
02Open permits & violations
Resolve stop-work orders, violations and stalled filings.
03Legalization of existing work
Bring unpermitted construction into compliance.
04Certificates of occupancy & completion
Close out files for sales, refinancing and occupancy.
05Zoning & feasibility review
Know what a property allows before you commit.
06Change of use & occupancy
Applications and agency coordination for a new use.
From record review to final approval
Review the property
We review available records, surveys, permits, violations and the proposed work.
Document existing conditions
We survey the property, prepare existing-conditions drawings for use in filings, and identify zoning, code and filing issues that may affect approval.
Prepare construction documents and filing materials
We prepare drawings and applications and coordinate with the appropriate municipality or agency.
Respond and close out
We address review comments, close out any required drawings and prepare the final documents needed for approval.
Existing conditions, construction coordination and filing drawings for Long Island and NYC properties.
Call before the deadline, not after.
Most permit and CO problems are easier to solve when they are found early. Reach out in any of these situations.
Read the Journal for common scenarios- →Before buying, selling or refinancing a property with unclear records
- →When work was completed without permits
- →After receiving a violation or discovering an open permit
- →Before changing a building's use or occupancy
- →When planning an addition, renovation or commercial fit-out
Straight answers before the first meeting
Can existing work be legalized?
Sometimes. The work must be evaluated against current zoning, building-code and safety requirements. Alterations may be required before approval.
How long does the process take?
Timing depends on the municipality, available records, project scope, agency comments and required inspections. We explain the known steps after an initial review.
Where does BAWI work?
BAWI assists clients across Long Island and New York City, including Nassau and Suffolk County municipalities.
What should I bring to the first consultation?
Share the property address, municipality, survey, permits, violations, Building Department correspondence and any existing drawings you have. We can identify what else may be needed.
Have a Permit, Violation or CO Issue?
Tell us the municipality, property type and what you know about the permit, violation or certificate-of-occupancy issue.
Request a ConsultationSe habla español. · 516-770-7928