Do I Need a Permit?
Hello, I need to fix the cracks in the facade of my brick townhouse. In addition to that, I need to fix the stoop and cornice. I am getting mixed messages from people providing me with quotes to fix the issues. Some say I need to have a DOB permit to do that and others…
Hello,
I need to fix the cracks in the facade of my brick townhouse. In addition to that, I need to fix the stoop and cornice. I am getting mixed messages from people providing me with quotes to fix the issues. Some say I need to have a DOB permit to do that and others say I dont need it.
Where can I find out this information for sure. Anyone familiar with this issue?
Most ordinary repair you don’t need a permit,but if u need your cornice fix u must use a contractor with rigger license. 8 out of 10 contractor don’t have regger licenses.
Our neighbour used H & J Contracting (917)567-2606 for their facade work. They have all the license & insurance.
Vinca, and everyone else, thank you so much for very helpful answers.
As to the letter of the law—DOB requires permits for any work that involves “public safety and health, the structural integrity of the building, new structural loads, new anchorages,” or a number of other items under the city’s building code. Specifically, the DOB lists nine categories of exterior work (e.g., masonry, doors/windows, stone/terra cotta restoration), each with specific repair items (e.g., brick repointing, sill replacement, patching spalls or cracks) and whether they require a permit. The DOB provides a complete list of filing requirements for the different types of exterior repair work at the following link, which may or may not relate to your repair and/or your building: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/tppn0199.shtml
I think the DOB has open houses on Tuesday evenings where you can ask your question. The Brooklyn Borough Office is located at: 210 Joralemon St., 8th fl., (718) 802-3675, http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/contact/contact.shtml
I believe, historic disctrict or not, that you need a permit if they hang scaffolding from the front of your house. If you don’t get one then whether you get a ticket or not really does depend on your location/visibility, etc.
Thank you for the tips. I believe my building is not landmarked and it is in Windsor Terrace.
Dave is right—the answer varies. Depending on where you live (in a historic district, or not), and depending on the extent of repairs, you may need a permit from both DOB and Landmarks. The answer might also depend on your risk tolerance (which is quite different from whether a permit is required). “Ordinary” repairs usually do not need permits. Extensive repairs do. Whether your work qualifies as one or the other is subject to much discussion. Start by looking through this LPC workguide: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf
See also: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/working_with/perform_work.shtml
If any questions, call or write the LPC public information officer at: 212-669-7817, info@lpc.nyc.gov
People are going to jump all over me for saying this but it oftentimes depends on where you live.