NYC Letter of No Objection
A letter of no objection (LNO) is often requested by banks or mortgage companies as proof of a building's legal use when no certificate of occupancy is available.
This is typical of buildings built before 1938 in New York City. Some have a certificate of occupancy (C of O) on file, but one was not required by law until 1938, so owners of older buildings run into this often. Another common name for an LNO is a C of O waiver.
When do I need a letter of no objection?
One common reason: an owner wants to open a restaurant and bar in a retail space in a building built before 1938. The New York State Liquor Authority will not issue a license without proof of the legal use.
If there is no C of O on file, getting one means a full job filing with inspections and sign-offs. An LNO only confirms the existing legal use, so it can be the right document when the use has not changed. In this example the space stays commercial, so an LNO can let the owner open much sooner.
Change of use
To change the use of a building, for example from residential to commercial or the other way around, a C of O is still required. S & M Expediting can obtain it for you. See certificates of occupancy and temporary certificates of occupancy.
For the document list DOB asks for, and the reasons it will not issue an LNO, see letter of no objection in NYC: requirements. Call 718-833-2333 or contact us to start an LNO request.