What to do: Active Complaint DOB
I was under the impression that work being done on one floor of my 3-family home did not require permits: refinishing floors, removal of linoleum tile from wood floor (we just assumed it was asbestos and had it abated by certified company as well as independent air quality company–one or both of whom filed with…
I was under the impression that work being done on one floor of my 3-family home did not require permits: refinishing floors, removal of linoleum tile from wood floor (we just assumed it was asbestos and had it abated by certified company as well as independent air quality company–one or both of whom filed with appropriate agency), repairing plaster walls and ceilings, installing insulation and sound board on some ceilings, replacing plumbing fixtures, changing one non-load bearing partition wall (stealing space from a very large bathroom to create a closet for a bed room), and replacing/adding a few electrical fixtures and outlets.
From researching here and trying to follow the DOB code downloaded from their site, I am now not so sure.
The problem: the plumber who was planning to file the plumbing portion of the work discovered that there is an open complaint filed last week on the DOB site.
My question is: what can I do to minimize any problems this will inevitably cause?
The contractor and I decided to stop work until we can figure out what to do, but,in addition to believing that the work being done didn’t require permits, we are on a very tight schedule trying to get the work complete as I am currently 38 weeks pregnant.
While I realize that I may have been mistaken in my understanding of DOB filing requirements, what I am looking for now is advice on how to deal with this as quickly as possible so that work can get back on track and completed ASAP.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Complete your work, don’t stress. Building a new wall requires a permit, but you’ll be fine. By the time you work is done an inspector would be hard pressed to take issue, and moreover you will soon have a newborn there to thawrt the inspector–remember, two refused entries and they close the complaint.
I am in a similar situation in that one of my neighbors filed a complaint against me and I have been spending the last year trying to extricate myself from the DOB process. There is something very crooked going on at DOB and some investigative journalist is going to blow the lid off of it one of these days. Definitely if there is any question whatsoever get a permit or face the possibility of having to spend upwards of a year trying to negotiate a broken, corrupt, incompetent system.
One of my neighbors has been in DOB hell for three months. His conclusion is that you can’t break wind in NY without a permit from the DOB.
You are kidding, no?
Change to wall with no permit?
Take a look around…
Architect here. All the above advice is correct. The work described at the bathroom/closet would require filing with the DOB because it sounds like you’re removing and adding walls.
Clarify one other thing for us: Are all plumbing fixtures being placed in the exact same location? Are you moving the roughing and/or adding more than 2 plumbing fixtures in the entire renovation? If so, you cannot simply file a plumbing repair application (LAA1 form), but must file the work as an an Alt II with the DOB. You will need a licensed architect or engineer to file the work.
Try not to let this stress you out too much…at 38 weeks, your health is more important.
If you need a quick plan generated and filed I may be able to help you. Just email me if you need help:
60designers@gmail.com
a complaint will not stop your plumber from filing…the complaint probably reads “work going on without any permits posted”,assigned to an inspector , and a inspection soon to come..remember that the dob is now a fee generating machine , so they want to fee you to death..but the work that you describe does not require filing, but err on the side of safety and pull the plumbing permit before continuing
It is a complaint, not a violation (yet). Filed last week.
I am concerned about continuing work if I do indeed require permits.
If you’re moving a partition, you’re supposed to file. The city’s interest is to make sure that you don’t block fire egress, or create rooms that don’t meet code for light/air.
As long as you’re replacing fixtures in the same location (not moving the rough piping), sound like the other items on your list don’t require filing.
You say there’s an open complaint…do you mean complaint, or violation? A complaint doesn’t mean anything, just that someone called in…a violation would have to be dealt with. And is the complaint/violation recent, or old? If there’s an old violation, the plumber might not be able to file until it’s cleared up. You can check this on the dob’s webiste, just enter your address on the right side of the site.
If it is a complaint, and it’s recent, they’ll likely complain again. Assuming you’re not home all day when the work is going on, you can instruct your contractor not to allow anyone, including a DOB inspector, into your home. If you can prevent access until you’re finished, then the issue should die on the vine as far as the DOB’s concerned.