do we need a building permit?
We own a 4-story/4-family brownstone in Boerum Hill and currently live in the garden level apartment, with three tenants in the three remaining units. The parlor level tenant is moving out and we plan to join the garden and parlor levels into one apartment by building a small wall to privatize the existing stairs between…
We own a 4-story/4-family brownstone in Boerum Hill and currently live in the garden level apartment, with three tenants in the three remaining units. The parlor level tenant is moving out and we plan to join the garden and parlor levels into one apartment by building a small wall to privatize the existing stairs between the two levels. We also plan to remove three interior walls on the garden level. This would involve some electrical rerouting and moving one sink about three feet. We’ve had a certified structural engineer and two architects look at exposed joists in key areas. The engineer did the calculations and it is agreed that the plan to remove the interior walls is structurally sound.
We are considering doing the work without a building permit to avoid the inevitable time, hassle and cost of getting the city involved. We are very capable and responsible DIYers, so it’s not a question of safety; we’ll do it right. The question is: what is the risk of not filing the work and getting a permit, and is it worth it to avoid it?
If the permit is the thing to do we’ll do it. But we’d love to hear honest opinions and stories from all sides
3:14 if you think that mortgages are the same now as in ’01 or ’03 you are crazy. there is no way anyone will get a mortgage in the current climate without a correct c of o. we tried on a house recently and the bank wouldn’t hear of it. the owner suggested taking out kitchens, etc, so that the house would look as if it were correct according to the c of o. lot of time and money nobody wanted to touch.
3:14 your tenants can legally withhold rent if you have rental apartments. They can easily find out that you have no c of o.
Excuse me, 11:48, we bought our house “as is”, with no CO in ’01, which was very common, and probably continues so unless we have a major re crash. Even our well-regarded attorney told us not to worry about some violations on the books and fix it ourselves later (we never officialy did, we have an “unpainted hallway” and “hole in wall” on the books.)
We got a mortgage, and re-fi-ed in ’03 with no problems.
Who are these people who can’t finance, sell or otherwise have problems in Brooklyn? Any specific examples?
Btw, parking a dumpster requires a permit for parking a dumpster, not for anything else. The dumpster permitteers probably don’t talk to the others.
Both myself and my neighbors made big changes without permits. Our plans of the house were vague enough (bathroom not mapped out at all) that we and the GC figured come sale time (no time soon) we would be fine. When we got a dumpster it was there for a morning and then picked up quickly. This was in Red Hook. Neighbors selling their house now for a TON of money, so assuming no problems with the work in their case.
So many on this forum bash developers for breaking the rules or pushing the limits, and now the rules are being negotiated by a homeowner, something that often takes place. You can’t have it both ways.
When you operate without a permit you have to operate in the dark, fearful of a call to 311. If you have the stomach for that go for it, just be prepared to deal with any fallout.
11:32 says why you need permits. When it’s time to sell you will lose a lot of money in the sale because of violations on the books. And you’ll have those violations because you will be reported to the DOB by your neighbors. Tearing out walls creates major debris and noise. Plus how are you going to park a dumpster out front without permits?
Get your architect to self-certify. That will eliminate the hassle with he DoB.
It seems silly to jeopardize your safety (e.g. if something goes wrong) or be subject by punitive action by DOB just to save a $$ or time. We reconfigured our house similarly when we first moved in, but now that we’re selling, I so glad we did everything by the books. As a homeowner, you’ve made a signficant investment. Don’t take the low road now.
FYI, everyone I know that skirted the permit issue, got busted. It happens in even less establish neighborhoods such Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, Red Hook…
It’s worth spending the time and a little money to get the permit. If the DOB or a lawsuit comes your way for not having a permit, it’ll cost you more time and money.