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Matter of Smith v. New York City Dept. of Bldgs.

Citation: 2018 NY Slip Op 1389Docket: 5851 102079/15

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; February 28, 2018; New York; State Appellate Court

Original Court Document: View Document

Narrative Opinion Summary

Darryl Smith petitioned against the New York City Department of Buildings after his application for a master plumber's license was denied. The Supreme Court, New York County, ruled on July 13, 2016, that the denial was justified due to Smith's failure to demonstrate at least seven years of supervised experience under a licensed master plumber, as required by the Administrative Code. The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed this judgment on March 1, 2018, stating that the determination had a rational basis and was not arbitrary or capricious. The court noted that Smith only had four years of relevant experience and acknowledged that he did not obtain his journeyman's registration until October 2012, which further justified the denial. Smith's claim that the journeyman registration requirement was irrational was deemed unpreserved and therefore invalid. The decision concluded that the denial of Smith's application was properly supported by the evidence.

Legal Issues Addressed

Preservation of Claims for Appeal

Application: The applicant's argument regarding the irrationality of the journeyman registration requirement was not considered because it was not preserved for appellate review.

Reasoning: Smith's claim that the journeyman registration requirement was irrational was deemed unpreserved and therefore invalid.

Rational Basis Review in Administrative Decisions

Application: The appellate court affirmed the lower court's decision, finding that the agency's denial of the license was rational and not arbitrary or capricious.

Reasoning: The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed this judgment on March 1, 2018, stating that the determination had a rational basis and was not arbitrary or capricious.

Requirements for Master Plumber's License

Application: The court upheld the denial of a license application based on the applicant's failure to meet the required supervised experience threshold.

Reasoning: The Supreme Court, New York County, ruled on July 13, 2016, that the denial was justified due to Smith's failure to demonstrate at least seven years of supervised experience under a licensed master plumber, as required by the Administrative Code.

Sufficiency of Evidence in License Denial

Application: The court found that the denial of the license was supported by evidence, specifically the applicant's lack of sufficient experience and delayed journeyman registration.

Reasoning: The decision concluded that the denial of Smith's application was properly supported by the evidence.