State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)
SEQRA is New York State's framework requiring state and local agencies to evaluate whether actions they undertake, fund, or approve may have significant environmental impacts, and to prepare an environmental impact statement when significant impacts may result. Regulatory materials define "actions" broadly to include projects, funding, and approvals, as well as certain policy-making and rulemaking activities.
- Where it applies
- New York State
- When it comes up
- Entitlements; environmental review
- Property types
- All (any covered "action")
In practice
SEQRA is procedural but schedule-dominant: environmental review sequencing frequently controls when discretionary approvals (and ULURP in NYC) can start.
Read more in the Knowledge Base
- Site Plan and Subdivision Approval ProcessBuyers
- Buying Land and Building a Home in New York - Permitting, Utilities, and Development FeasibilityBuyers
- Buying Land and Building a Home in New York - Permits, Utilities, and Development FeasibilityBuyers
Related terms
Environmental and Due Diligence
- Action (SEQRA)
- All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI)
- Brownfield
- Brownfield Cleanup Agreement (BCA)
- Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP)
- Certificate of Completion (COC)
- City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR)
- Conditioned Negative Declaration (CND)
- Decision Document
- Determination of Significance
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.