Ceiling height in garden apartment up to building codes?
Hi, I’ve read that cellars in NYC need to have ceilings 7’6″ to meet code. I’m looking at a 4-story 4-uni recently converted condo where the ceiling in the garden apartment in Brooklyn measured 7’4″ ceiling, at the one point i measured. The building was built in the 1880s but the conversion was just completed….
Hi, I’ve read that cellars in NYC need to have ceilings 7’6″ to meet code. I’m looking at a 4-story 4-uni recently converted condo where the ceiling in the garden apartment in Brooklyn measured 7’4″ ceiling, at the one point i measured. The building was built in the 1880s but the conversion was just completed.
The engineer didn’t mention ceiling height but now I’m concerned it doesn’t meet code.
Anyone here know the code or resources? My search efforts only turn up 7’6″.
Thanks,
Wendy
Check out this website: http://www.tenant.net/Other_Laws/MDL/mdl.html
and check out section 34.
NY State Law supersedes city laws
I’m sure that ceiling height codes are grandfathered in for existing buildings in our area. That’s the case for almost all other building codes. You should check with the DOB or an expeditor or architect if you want to know for certain.
There’s no legal height for a cellar. What you should be concerned about is the difference between a cellar and a basement. A cellar is for storage, accessory uses only, a basement can be used for living spaces, such as bedrooms. A cellar has more than 50% of its height (measured from top of finished floor to underside of ceiling) below grade; a basement on the other hand, to be considered such, must have at least 50% of its height above ground. A cellar cannot be used for living space, habitable room is the legal jargon, and a habitable room does have a minimum required height of 8 feet in NYC.