We’re looking into removing the pavement in front of our bldg so that we can plant a garden. Anyone ever done this? Did you get a permit? It’s our own property, but it runs adjacent to the sidewalk. Who do I speak to? The DOB? The DOT? I can’t find any specific language in the building code for this particular situation. Thanks for any leads!


Comments

  1. Where is your property line? Better pull out your title survey and make sure that what you think is your property actually is. The City doesn’t like home owners removing pavement from areas that are public property.

  2. is it a fenced in area? If so then don’t bother with permit. Or is sidewalk that public walks on now?
    and anyway – not a DOB matter. Could make case for transportation dept…but not DOB.

  3. Mopar, in the words of A.E. Houseman: “Three minutes thought would suffice to find this out; but thought is irksome and three minutes is a long time.”

  4. Isn’t the OP just talking about the front yard? I’ve never heard a permit is required to re-do the cement in the front yard (or remove it). Of course, I’m no expert.

  5. It’s hard for me to be sure from your post, but I think you are describing what’s known as an areaway. The work you’re describing certainly does *not* fall into the category of “Ordinary Maintenance.” Therefore, if you are in a historic district, you will need to obtain approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and they will specify how and with what material you can rebuild (i.e., to return the areaway to it’s historic design). If this is the case, use a good contractor/expediter to achieve the results you’re seeking. See page 32: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf

1 2