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We’re renovating a C-of-O free brownstone, and are trying to determine the best course of action for filing with the Buildings Dept. We’re reconfiguring the house from a top-floor rental to a garden rental, and adding a deck out the back of the parlor – which seems a pretty normal thing to do. We’d like to avoid the cost and hassle of getting a C-of-O, and we’d also like to avoid installing a complete fire separation between the garden unit and the duplex, which our architect is saying would be necessary with a 2-family C-of-O. Also, does getting a new C-of-O imply a tax re-assessment (and increase?) Finance already thinks of us as a 2 family, but our assessment is pleasantly low and we don’t want to jeopardize this. Thoughts? Guidance? If any is forthcoming, I will be particularly thankful this week!