Legalizing the extension in Clinton Hill -anyone went through it?

I have a 4 Fam brownstone that has an extension that was done in either late 80s or early 90s (before my purchase) that I am pretty certain do not have any permits for. According to the inspector, they seemed to have done a good job structurally and looks like there is enough FAR to allow this as well. If I want to legalize it so that I can build a deck, would I be going through a lot of trouble? How much of tax increase should I be expecting? (total extension area is about 400sq). Thanks in advance for your input.

ccal76

in About Brooklyn 10 years ago

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resident2 | 10 years ago

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Can I assume by ” according to the inspector” , you mean a home inspector from when you were considering your purchase? I have found that many home “inspectors” raise a lot of questions, but do not follow through with definitive answers. If this was a question, the legality of the extension, did you not raise this with your attorney? did you get a survey as part of your title inspection, insurance? Most historic extensions are legal or at least grandfathered in if they are really old. If you did get a survey during your title search, they would have found it then, legal or not legal. If you did not get a survey, then get a buildings department expediter to do a search if you are really concerned, but of there is no violation for it, it did not come up as an issue while you were buying it during any of the title searches, I would let sleeping dogs lie. Legalizing historic work is a royal pain. Only to be done under the threat of sever penalties!

peaceout | 10 years ago

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If you build your deck without a file, make sure it is built within specifications that would be legal: decking cannot but up against neighboring buildings, structure should be within FAR, and hope you have nice neighbors and the building inspector who routinely drives around hoping to catch people who do work and don’t file doesn’t catch on. The days of doing something under the table is gone in Brooklyn. I’d file it,if you ever sell it can be a sticking point.

no-permits | 10 years ago

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just build your deck without filing.