2006 New York Code - Definitions.

 
    § 27-978 Definitions. For the purposes of this article:
    a.  an  existing  building is one which is within occupancy group J-1,
  occupancy group J-2 or occupancy group J-3 and for which plans have been
  approved by  the  department  on  or  prior  to  December  thirty-first,
  nineteen hundred eighty-one.
    b.  an  improvement  or alteration is a physical change in an existing
  structure  other  than  painting,  repairs  and  normal  replacement  of
  maintenance items.
    c.  a  building shall be deemed to have been substantially improved or
  altered if:
    1. the cost of improvement  or  alteration  exceeds  the  sum  of  one
  hundred fifty thousand dollars, or
    2. in either occupancy group J-1 or occupancy group J-2, fifty percent
  or  more  of  the  dwelling  units  or  square feet of the structure are
  improved or altered and the  cost  of  such  improvement  or  alteration
  exceeds the sum of fifteen thousand dollars per dwelling unit, or
    3. there has been a change in the occupancy or use of the structure.