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January 19, 2008
C of O missing - do I need it for renovations
A property I am considering purchasing does not have a C of O but it does have a
Department of Finance Building Classification as a B1-2 FAMILY DWELLING. (It is being marketed as a 2-family and is configured as such).
I would like to convert it to a 1 family (just open up existing stairs), and add an extension as well as bathroom on one of the floors.
Would these renovations be possible without a C of O, or is one required to make these types of changes? I know that the architectect would need to file with the DOB to get necessary permits, etc. So is this type of work possible without a C of O?
(Current owner has made some changes (moved kitchen, added extension) that are on file with DOB. Does this in and of itself make it clear that such changes are possible without a C of O?)
Comments
You don't need it, but you need other things. Talk to an expediter.
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 8:02 AM
any change in use will need a new c/o, mkatzdesign@yahoo.com
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 8:17 AM
Question -- you are certain there is no outstanding C of O on the building (in other words you have checked the DoB records directly?).
The renovation you've outlined above may not involve changing a C of O if none exists. The question is not triggered by the addition of the bathroom or combining the units. Instead it's involved in the "adding the extension" part of yoor work.
Adding any square footage to your building would involve establishing a C of O, and would involve an "alteration 1" category building permit (standard renovations are alt-2). The alt-1 process takes substantially more time, would involve zoning calculations, and has a different process of inspection, so it's generally considered more difficult.
If you're not adding square footage, the permit process is far more straightforward.
Posted by: Smokychimp at January 20, 2008 2:28 PM
Thanks for the advice, all.
Smokychimp, we would be adding square footage actually. And no, we have not gone to the DoB to check- just checked online. Interestingly, there is already an extension added to the property (about 8 x 15). We are hoping to build on top of that existing extension. Are you saying that it was either done illegally or otherwise there must have been a C of O filed? Any additional advice would be appreciated.
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 3:56 PM
Adding a floor on top of the extension is still adding square footage.
Posted by: josh59x at January 21, 2008 7:15 AM
Josh59x - OP and 3:56 here. Yes, as I stated in my post at 3:56, I agree that we would be adding sq. footage. I am questioning how to go about adding this sq. footage without a C of O, and how the current owner could have added the sq. footage without a C of O in the first place.
Posted by: guest at January 21, 2008 10:09 AM
Generally speaking, you're right -- a C of O must have been filed or the previous addition was completed without it. Keep in mind you should really review the building folder directly at the Dept of Buildings, since I have heard that not all C of O's are recorded properly online (although I have never run across this in my own experience, this is just what my expeditor tells me).
Regardless of whether it has a C of O, the DoB will have records which establish the lot size and built bulk. You'll need that to calculate the amount of area you can add.
Posted by: Smokychimp at January 21, 2008 3:56 PM
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