New York Environmental Conservation Law Section 24-1305 - Applicability.

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

Last modified: February 3, 2019