Building Permits for a Fence?

pig three has a good idea. Bamboo in pots grows really quickly in spring and summer (it might die off in winter). Your fence will be more effective, but will take time to get permits. You might even be able to buy bamboo in pots that is already 8′ tall.

what about some tall thin evergreens in pots. Don’t think there is code limiting height of landscaping. Don’t think you need a permit either. Could even build a planter that is not attached to your deck.

Usually Vinca posts the correct information… But I am not an architect or expeditor so take this with a grain of salt. 1-2 Family homes do not need to file for a six foot tall (maximum height) fence. Anything over 6 feet requires a variance from the DOB or the Board of Standards and Appeals. Commercial properties, educational facilities can build much higher fences (playgrounds for example) Alt 3 I believe. If this is a multifamily dwelling than this exemption may not apply. See “open screen balcony enclosures” below.

CHAPTER 44 EXEMPTIONS FROM FILING
REQUIREMENTS
§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.
(b)The following item(s) associated with multiple dwellings
shall be considered a minor alteration 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) Open screen balcony enclosures.
(c)This rule shall not relieve any applicant of the obligation
to file at other City agencies, when appropriate, including the
Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Planning
Commission.

Sorry about your crappy neighbors… 311 has been so corrupted. They need to do something to save it.

A good friend of mine had an office in soho where you could look down into a loft where Penthouse used to do all their photo shoots and he never called 311 to complain.

That’s interesting about the permit. Question- give the costs you just wrote, sounds like it would be cheaper to get fined than to expedite and permit the fence?