C of O Change in Loft
Does anyone know what’s involved with changing the occupancy usage from work to live work? Can anyone recommend an attorney with specific knowledge to this sort of thing? Thanks!
Does anyone know what’s involved with changing the occupancy usage from work to live work? Can anyone recommend an attorney with specific knowledge to this sort of thing? Thanks!
young archi – my email is therealjswade@gmail.com – can you email me? that would be amazing!
If its a residential district you can’t have JLQW but you can have home occupation (usually limited to 25% and/or 500 sf (whichever is less)) but can be increased in certain districts….)
Top floors and lower floors can be different uses but wouldn’t be in separate zones….
Are you sure its residential?
I wouldn’t want to send my address over the internet but can you tell me the Block (numerically) you’re located on? I should be able to tell your zoning district from that – if the block is bisected by two zoning districts i’ll let you know…
Thanks for the input everyone especially young archi!
It is a residential district. There is no historical or landmark designation. It only has 4 floors and the top floors are zoned residential. I think they benefited from the artist conversion thing years ago. The bottom floor and the second floor are commercial. My place is on the second floor. Building classification is L9 (Loft Misc).
Does this give you a better sense of my probability?
Thanks again!
Thanks young archi. Send me a bill.
ModSquad –
This is going to be a frustrating answer:
Mostly yes, in some cases no….
If an old manufacturing or commercial building (built before 1961) or space is converted to JLQW, then the code and zoning requirements are a modified under Multiple Dwelling Law because its assumed that you’re working with different spatial and construction type limitations then you normally would encounter for typical residential spaces.
However, these code and zoning differences are, by and large, the same as for other Loft Buildings and IMDs touched on above. They are all a subset with different regulations from typical residential construction.
If you have a JLQW in a newer building (which I’ve never done but if I remember correctly can be done), then there are some specific zoning caveats for the JLQW, but the code would be the same as for any other building.
When I say the Code is the same, I mean the same version of the Building Code would apply. Obviously, requirements for a single family home are vastly different than those for a commercial skyscraper within the same version of Code.
Just wondering young archi. Are there different code requirements for the JLQWs?
In many buildings that have office space listed instead of sleeping space the problem is no window in the working area. No one stops you from sleeping in this space and unless someone complains no one ever will enter your apartment. Is this the issue or is it something else?
Swade – Just go see an architect.
I’m sure they’ll do a quick analysis for you for free or for very little money…
and too your second point modsquad –
The majority of residential units in the city are not JLQW’s.
You are, in descending order of probability:
1) An as of right residential district
2) Article 7B Loft Dwelling
3) Article 7C IMD
Most the JLQWs we have done are 7B Loft Dwellings – though the vast majority of the 7B Loft Dwellings we have done are NOT JLQWs.
If that makes sense…