---
title: "Record when a building permit or special permit stops carrying the old zoning"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/record-when-a-development-consent-lapses/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A12-FL20261022-13-US"
practice_area: "Planning & Environment"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record when a building permit or special permit stops carrying the old zoning

> From the permit, record whether it is a building permit, a special permit, or a site-plan approval, and the date it was issued. Record any date the lawyer gives for commencement of the use or construction.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/record-when-a-development-consent-lapses/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the permit, record whether it is a building permit, a special permit, or a site-plan approval, and the date it was issued. Record any date the lawyer gives for commencement of the use or construction. Leave blank whether the statutory period is still open. Do not calculate a last day. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides whether the use or construction is still protected. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40A, section 6, says a zoning ordinance or by-law shall provide that construction or operations under a building permit shall conform to any subsequent amendment unless the use or construction is commenced within a period of not more than 12 months after the permit is issued and, where there is construction, unless it is continued through to completion as continuously and expeditiously as is reasonable. Construction or operations under a special permit or a site-plan approval shall conform to a subsequent amendment unless the use or construction is commenced within 3 years after issuance and, where there is construction, unless it is continued in the same way. For that three-year sentence, construction on previously disturbed land is deemed commenced on substantial investment in site preparation or infrastructure, and phased construction shall proceed expeditiously but not continuously among phases. This is Massachusetts. A New York City building permit that expires one year from issuance is a different rule and is not applied here. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Record when a development consent lapses](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/record-when-a-development-consent-lapses.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the permit, record whether it is a building permit, a special permit, or a site-plan approval, and the date it was issued. Record any date the lawyer gives for commencement of the use or construction. Leave blank whether the statutory period is still open. Do not calculate a last day.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- The subdivision-plan freezes and the moratorium extension in the same Massachusetts section are not applied in this task.
- Do not use the New York City one-year permit expiry, or its insurance and licence dates, as the Massachusetts period.

## Sources

- [Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40A, section 6](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40A/Section6) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [NYC Department of Buildings, permit renewal](https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/property-or-business-owner/permit-renewal.page) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*