Basements

I have a couple of questions about the uses that are allowed and which that are not. I understand that a basement cannot be used as a permanent living space. Am I allowed to have a bathroom and a laundry room as two separate rooms? Would the DOB give permits for this kind of work or should I just avoid this request all together?

brooklyntoqueens

in Brownstoner Renovation 12 years ago

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jimhillra | 12 years ago

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NYC DOB BUILDINGS BULLETIN 2011-010 This document clarifies the conditions for installing a bathroom containing three fixtures in the cellar of a one- or two-family dwelling. A. Introduction Section 12-10 of the Zoning Resolution (“ZR”) allows a cellar to contain accessory spaces not used for dwelling purposes. A bathroom is generally not considered a habitable room. Accordingly, a cellar in a one- or two-family dwelling may contain a minimally-sized powder room with two fixtures consisting of a lavatory and water closet. However, subject to the review and acceptance of the borough commissioner (or his or her designee), a cellar in a one or two-family dwelling may contain a full bathroom with a lavatory, a water closet and a shower or bathtub (“three-fixture bathroom”) that complies with the requirements of this bulletin. B. Requirements A cellar in a one- or two-family dwelling may contain a three-fixture bathroom provided the following conditions are met: 1) The cellar is open without partitions except for enclosures for: a. a boiler room b. a laundry room c. windowless storage and/or utility rooms limited to less than 60 square feet 2) The cellar is connected via an unenclosed stair to the residence above except for a door at the top of the stair. 3) The cellar has direct access to the outdoors via stairs and an operable door. 4) The cellar is equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 5) The cellar does not contain any other fixtures or roughing for future fixtures; however, laundry (slop) sinks, washers, gas dryers and related piping shall be permitted. 6) The boiler room shall be enclosed with one-hour fire-rated construction and properly ventilated. 7) Where the cellar contains a garage, such garage shall be separated from the cellar by one-hour fire-rated construction.

anotherposter | 12 years ago

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I’m guessing you mean cellar, which is mostly below grade. We were not allowed to put in a full bath, but they were fine with a powder room and we didn’t want to move our laundry all the way down there so I don’t know about that, but I imagine it’s fine with the number of times I’ve seen it.