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September 28, 2007
do i need a permit?
i want to build a deck off the back of my house and a roofdeck on an extension. If I build to code do I need a permit?
Comments
oh yeah....and maybe landmarks approval too if you live in a landmarked area
Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 3:46 PM
Depends how high off the ground it will be, but in most cases it is considered a structural addition and therefore requires a permit.
Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 6:04 PM
Well, one reason not to is the expense and delay associated with filing.
As a practical matter, I'd be very curious to know what percentage of people actually get permits for this stuff. Assuming it's built correctly, what's the downside of not getting a permit? Neighbors reporting the work while it's happening could cause a problem if DOB shows up during installation, but I'd think that's unlikely. Is there an issue with a sale-based inspection showing a deck that wasn't there on earlier plans?
Posted by: Johnny at September 29, 2007 9:17 AM
You can get fined if someone reports you years later and continue to get fined until you fix the problem.
When you sell the house, the person who buys it will make you fix it before they'll buy it from you.
Someone's child could fall off your deck and die and then their parents will sue you because you didn't have approval to put the deck there, regardless of whether it was built to code or not.
Want any more reasons?
Codes are there to save lives, not make your life more difficult. If you can't afford to do it "by the book" you shouldn't be a home owner.
Posted by: guest at September 29, 2007 1:25 PM
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