Cantilever Deck
We live on the 4th floor of a brownstone where in the rear a small deck is located over the ceiling of the 3rd floor. It runs the width of the building and extends about 8 feet “in” from the rear wall(eg our apartment is smaller than the rest). My question is simply this, i…
We live on the 4th floor of a brownstone where in the rear a small deck is located over the ceiling of the 3rd floor.
It runs the width of the building and extends about 8 feet “in” from the rear wall(eg our apartment is smaller than the rest).
My question is simply this, i imagine it would be technically quite easy to extend the deck an extra 4 feet out “past” the rear wall.
This would mean the deck is now 8 feet deep from our window to the rear wall and an additional 4 feet extending “over the air”.
As long as other co-op owners in our building dont have an issue with this do you think there are any technical or city DOB reasons why this wouldn’t be allowed.
@Blowfish, like i said i’d need to confirm with the 3 apartments below us about their thoughts, i doubt 3-4 feet would even be noticed in the apartment below us, let alone the apatment 2 floors or the ground floor apartment.
@brooklynexpediter, our current deck (put in before we moved in but officially approved with the dob etc) is the full width of the building (about 1′ on either side but thats it.
– are you suggesting that when it comes time to replace what is already there in place it could be a problem getting the same materials put in?
there is no way you’re neighbors will agree to this. It will block valuable sunshine for everyone below.
There are zoning limitations to th deck. Yes. If the open area at the rear is sufficient to accomodate the lot coverage / open area / rear yard requirements with your deck protruding into the rear yard then there is no problem. Otherwise it depends on the zoning district and in higher density zonongs (R6-R10) up to 7′ is permitted if your deck is not more then 50% of the aggregate width of the building wall. Otherwise your minmum required open areas needs to be recalculated and factored in.
The DOB gave us quite a hard time when I wanted to add a deck outside my parlour floor kitchen when we renovated in 2002.
As I remember, no wood allowed, and it had to be a certain distance from the property line. I had to fight to get them to agree to a deck of 8 feet in depth.
They could decide what you have already isn’t up to their standards and make you take it down.
Then it depends on who you get to inspect. I had someone who wouldn’t give us a new C/O until we fixed a crack in the cement next to our garden!
You need to hire an architect or structural engineer for this. If you are looking for a true cantilever with no support from below or above, that is not going to happen. Basically the joist would need to stick into the building quite a ways in order to suport the cantilever. Otherwise, you need to either go down, hang at angle back to the building or suport from below at an angle back to the building. There are a number of us here. Give us a call.