An example of a pop-up window detailing the legislative history of a section of the Zoning Resolution. Image Credit: NYC DCP

The update includes legislative history dating from 1961. On June 19, 2019, the Department of City Planning announced an update to the online Zoning Resolution that provides the code’s legislative history. Earlier this year, DCP launched the digital Zoning Resolution online platform, which replaced the paper edition. The digital version provides users with the ability to use keyword searches, one-click sharing, navigation, and the option to subscribe for updates. This legislative history update provides information on all substantive changes from when DCP adopted the Zoning Resolution in 1961 to the present day.

To access the legislative history, users can click the bubble marked “history” in the top right corner of every section of the Zoning Resolution. A pop-up window will then display all substantive and adopted amendments for that section. Users will see the effective date, ULURP/CPC report number, project name, action, notes, and a description if available. Users can also click on the ULURP/CPC number to read a PDF of the report.

According to the department, approximately 10,000 amendments have been made to the Zoning Resolution since its adoption. Since the digital Zoning Resolution launched in February, it has received over 150,000 page views from over 10,000 individual users around the world.

DCP Director Marisa Lago stated, “History helps us understand both the past and the present – and prepare for the future. By making the historical record of New York City’s Zoning Resolution so easily available, we advance our commitment to making land use decisions transparent and easily accessible, and to working with our many communities and elected officials to shape a more equitable New York.”

For CityLand’s prior coverage of the launch of the online Zoning Resolution, click here. To access the digital Zoning Resolution, click here.

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)