2015 New York Laws
MRE - Multiple Residence
Article 8 - (Multiple Residence) REQUIREMENTS AND REMEDIES
301 - Permits.

  301.  Permits. 1. It shall be unlawful to commence the construction
  or alteration of a multiple dwelling or any part or section thereof,  or
  of  any  building  or structure on the same lot with such a dwelling, or
  the alteration or conversion  of  a  building  for  use  as  a  multiple
  dwelling,  or the moving of a dwelling from one lot to another, until an
  application or plans have been filed in  and  a  permit  issued  by  the
  department.  The department shall have the power to charge and collect a
  reasonable fee for each application filed and for each permit issued.
2. No person shall be recognized as the agent of the owner  unless  he
  shall  file  with  the  department  a  written instrument, signed by the
  owner,  designating  him  as  such  agent.  Upon  the  filing  of   such
  instrument,  the person designated therein as such agent shall be deemed
  to be and shall be known as the certified agent of the owner.
3. The department shall have power to issue, refuse, revoke or  cancel
  any  permit or approval in case of any failure to comply with any of the
  provisions  of  this  chapter,  or  in  case  any  false  allegation  or
  representation is made in any plans or statements submitted or filed for
  such  permit  or  approval.  If  such  permit  is  refused,  revoked  or
  cancelled,  the  reason  for  such  action  shall  be  recorded  by  the
  department.
4.  All plans, statements and permits filed in any department shall be
  public  records  and  shall  not  be  destroyed  or  removed  from   the
  department.