N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 10, § 17.12
(a) The permit-issuing official may, on written application and after review, grant a variance from a specific provision of this Part in a specific case subject to appropriate conditions which shall include a time schedule for compliance, where such variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this Part, and where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship in carrying out the strict letter of the provision.