Forum: Permits
August 13, 2008
New Code/Old Code/Gas meters
Hey all:
I was within a day of filing some amended plans w the DOB and the expeditor all of a sudden started asking about gas meters, making me change the plans to show each meter individually.
When I look at the dob website and look at the plumbing inspections, there is a new section at the bottom devoted to gas risers, meters, etc.
Is this something new? Does it have to do with the new code, and if so, why can't I file amendments under the old code?
The expeditor says it's cuz people are adding gas meters for illegal apts, so the DOB wants to see them individually listed.
But this whole new mess sets me back another week or two with new plans, sched B, etc.
July 31, 2008
Obtaining a Permit from Building Department
I have an approved plan. A G.C. who gave me an estimate told me that he does not have an expeditor but that he will give me his license # and the appropriate signed forms and that I can get the permit myself. Is this true? Does it take a long time? Anyone with experience doing this? Thanks
July 30, 2008
Real Risks of Building Without a Permit?
Please tell me some true stories of buying or selling a house with a deck that was built without a permit. Did the lack of permit cause problems, and if so, how were they resolved? I know that the Buildings Dept can make you tear down the deck, but has anyone ever heard of this actually happening simply because the deck was built without a permit, and not because it failed to meet the structural requirements set forth in the Buildings Code?
July 16, 2008
Does DOB go through your whole project when called to inspect a part of it?
We will be moving the location of our boiler and hotwater heater and replacing it with a modulating-condensing model when we renovate the rest of our kitchen. The heating contractor plans to pull a permit and have the job inspected. When the DOB inspector arrives to inspect this boiler installation will they also start checking out the rest of the renovation (or God forbid the rest of the house!) and hand out violations, etc.? The rest of the renovation is mostly cosmetic: sheetrock, tiles, cabinets, new plumbing fixtures. No walls will be moved, no changes to occupancy, etc. But the work also includes moving the sink and upgrading electrical, rewiring. Do I need to get permits for that? It's a 2 family house. Thanks!!
July 7, 2008
Roof deck permit requirements
What can you do on your roof without a permit?
In other words, I have an engineer's report stating exactly how much weight the roof can hold, and I don't intend to go over it. I know that a green roof installation does not require a permit. It seems like it should, but maybe the code hasn't caught up with the technology yet. Do you need a permit, for instance, to put down pavers? Or those big rubber tiles? Or wood tiles?
Thanks
July 1, 2008
renewing Cert of No Harassment?
HPD issued us a Certificate of No-Harassement a couple of years back. It says the certificate remains in effect for 3 years. Anyone know what I need to do to renew it? Clueless here. Does the Cert. ever become permanent?
June 22, 2008
Tenant Vacancy and Rent Stabilization Statement
The DOB is asking for a notarized letter indicating our tenants have all moved out and that the building was never rent stabilized (both correct). I can easily draft something to this effect but was wondering if anyone had a similar experience and can recommend a "DOB friendly" format. Thanks
June 14, 2008
Replacing Windows In Shed
I'd like to replace the plexiglass windows in this shed with glass windows, do I need a permit for this? and can anyone recommend a contractor to do the work?
Thanks a bunch!
June 9, 2008
Open work permit
My husband and I purchased a house on 14th Street one year ago which has an open permit for some renovation work don in 2004. We knew about the open permit before closing and so a contract was written up with the previous owner giving them 3 months from closing to do what was necessary to have the permit signed off by the buildings dept. It is now almost a year and the previous owner has made little effort to close the permit. There is money in escrow that is being held in the event that we must do the necessary work to get the permit closed, but the previous owner and their lawyer are dragging their feet. We have spoken with the original architect of record who has given us a list of what needs to be done to complete the work and we are getting an estimate from a contractor for the cost, but once we go to the owner and his lawyer with this my worry is that they will still find reason to delay. Technically, the owner is already in violation of the contract given that the 3 months are up. How can we demand that they hand over the escrow money so that we can do the work? Thanks to anyone who can offer advice on what we can do to expidite the situation?
May 29, 2008
What if you just want to keep your SRO to yourself?
I'm curious, and I'll confess a little bit lazy since this is just a curiosity question not something I'm planning to base my real estate investment around, but if I buy an SRO and I want to just live in it, sans tenants, do I have to navigate the certificate of no harassment?
Or is that only if I want to do permit-requiring work?