N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 24-1305

§ 24-1305. Applicability.\n The provisions of this article shall not apply to any land use,\nimprovement or development for which final approval shall have been\nobtained prior to the effective date of this article from the local\ngovernmental authority or authorities having jurisdiction over such land\nuse. As used in this section, the term "final approval" shall mean:\n (a) in the case of the subdivision of land, conditional approval of a\nfinal plat as the term is defined in section two hundred seventy-six of\nthe town law, and approval as used in section 7-728 of the village law\nand section thirty-two of the general cities law;\n (b) in the case of a site plan not involving the subdivision of land,\napproval by the appropriate body or office of a city, village or town of\nthe site plan; and\n (c) in those cases not covered by subdivision (a) or (b) above, the\nissuance of a building permit or other authorization for the\ncommencement of the use, improvement or development for which such\npermit or authorization was issued or in those local governments which\ndo not require such permits or authorizations, the actual commencement\nof the use, improvement or development of the land.\n