Greenhouse / sunroom - permits?
Do I need permits to build a green house or sunroom in New York City – I would not be demolishing any external walls – simply adding a glass enclosure to the back of my house.
Do I need permits to build a green house or sunroom in New York City – I would not be demolishing any external walls – simply adding a glass enclosure to the back of my house.
The answer is no, you do not need to file, as long as it is “freestanding” and meets the size, height, etc. conditions outlined below if it’s a 1 or 2-family. Not sure on a multi-family.
See page 506 at this link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/bldgs_code/rules_dob.pdf
§44-01 Minor Alterations that do not Require the Filing
of Applications and Plans for Building Alteration Permits
with the Department of Buildings.
(a) The following items associated with one and two
family dwellings shall be considered minor alterations within
the meaning of §27-124 of the Administrative Code of the
City of New York and shall not require the filing of
applications and plans for building alteration permits with the
Department:
(1) Fences of any material, including masonry fences, up to
six feet high;
(2) Boiler room enclosures;
(3) Minor interior non-structural changes not increasing room
count;
(4) Outdoor in-ground pools limited to 400 square feet in
area, provided that there is an existing slop sink for indirect
waste; and
(5) Greenhouses and temporary portable freestanding sheds
erected on the same zoning lot as the main building, provided
that the following requirements are met:
(i) The shed or greenhouse shall not exceed 120 square
feet in area and shall not be more than 7’6″ in height;
(ii) The shed or greenhouse shall not be located nearer
than 3 feet from any lot line;
(iii) The shed shall not be permanently affixed to the land;
(iv) The shed shall not be used for storage of other than
normal household goods; the greenhouse shall not be used for
any use other than cultivating plants and
(v) There shall not be more than one such shed or
greenhouse on any zoning lot.
Without checking with the zoning code, my guess would be if it is freestanding it would most likely be considered a “shed” and not need permits. However, if it is permanentally affixed to the house, a permit would be required.
Yes, the Department of Buildings will want you to file for any addition to your house. A good contractor will help you with that.