Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of original decisions on variance petitions issued by the Department of State's Codes Division and by Regional Boards of Review. Files include summaries of the nature of the grievance and relief sought; findings of fact; conclusions of law; and determinations. The decisions document the basic function of regulating architectural design and construction to promote public safety.

18954-98: This accretion consists of petition files produced by the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). Almost all of the petitions originated from property owners who had received citations for code violations from local government building code inspectors. While variance requests range from slight size deviations in easements and sidewalks to major structural variations intended to accommodate innovative architectural designs, most involve rather routine issues.