Forum
Looking for advice about a home improvement project? Want to talk about what’s going on in your neighborhood? Start here.
Find older conversations in our Forum Archive.
Latest Discussions
Post a Topic
freckles1
in Building Code 9 years and 6 months ago
What to do about Unpermited Building?
My neighbor has put in huge concrete footings — apparently intending to build an addition that looks like it will extend far back into the…
17
larkspur32
in Building Code 12 years and 10 months ago
Beware of Extreme Homes RE
I recently put an offer on a house that I was told was available. The broker, Avi told me I had to get it inspected…
8
cityrat
in Building Code 9 years and 6 months ago
Permits and occupancy: Is there a law that exempts 1-2 family?
Hello, kind brownstoner folks, We’re in the midst of filing for renovation permits with the DOB for a four-story 1890s townhouse we purchased in 2014…
22
mzmisdacutljvesg
in Building Code 9 years and 6 months ago
Public roof deck
Hi there, I just bought a top floor duplex, that is in converted loft building that went condo in the mid-80s. At the time, they…
3
rhjmem
in Building Code 9 years and 7 months ago
Garage Question
I have garage in the lower level Basement/Cellar of my house. It is part of the house. It faces (exits into) my backyard and is…
3
Guest User | 0 secs ago
Egress
I would like to use part of the cellar as recreation room for 1st floor apartment. There is a hatch with ladder down to cellar…
0
Guest User | 0 secs ago
Can I install a third gas meter in my two family house?
I’m thinking of installing a third gas meter in the basement. Is this allowed? Thanks!
8
esdad697
in Building Code 10 years and 1 month ago
No CO for Extension
An extension was added to my home around 15 years ago. I don’t see an updated CO at DOB. How might this be an issue?…
3
soundhoner
in Building Code 9 years and 10 months ago
At what point does a duplex become a third apartment in a two family dwelling?
So let’s say you have a 3 story house with no C of O, which the DoB sees is as a B3-2, 2 family converted…
3
alexisf
in Building Code 9 years and 7 months ago
DOB Roof deck shenanigans?
A few years ago our building, a 200 unit co-op in Manhattan, started letting residents use the roof on top of our building as a…
6
mikecnyc
in Building Code 9 years and 7 months ago
Revocable consent needed to reconfigure stoop area?
Hello – My house is in on a landmark block and we are looking to reconfigure our stoop to make the entrance to the garden…
1
dianaahilton
in Building Code 9 years and 8 months ago
F.A.R work-around?
We are hoping to start a brownstone renovation in Bed Stuy in the spring. We have learned we are already over our FAR. We would…
10
levymiller
in Building Code 9 years and 8 months ago
Revocable Consent - Expeditor or Architect needed
Hi, I need the most cost-effective way to get a revocable consent so I can put a fence on the sidewalk in front of my…
3
firsthouse
in Building Code 9 years and 8 months ago
Pre existing Floor drain basement
If we have a pre existing drain in basement floor next to new hot water heaters but drain leads into floor and not into outside…
5
emerysavers
in Building Code 9 years and 9 months ago
Building Code for HVAC on Roof
Does anyone have a link to the NYC building code that specifically addresses installation of mini-split compressors on the roof of a building? My condo…
6
rhjmem
in Building Code 10 years ago
Adding a Shower to a half bath
I am considering adding a shower to a half bath. The Shower would extend into my kitchen, thereby making my Kitchen (over 80 sq feet)…
2
shurafa
in Building Code 9 years and 9 months ago
1 Family, 4 Story Brownstone Conversion. Sprinkler Requirements?
What are the sprinkler requirements for a 4 story brownstone that currently does not have a C of O. The plan is to do a…
7
ronaldis
in Building Code 9 years and 9 months ago
Neighbor building illegal/shoddy addition rooms and running flophouse
My neighbor has been running a makeshift flophouse in their building and doing illegal/scary building. They chopped up all the floors and have different people…
8
Can’t find the topic you’re looking for?
Find answers, ask questions, and connect with our Brownstoner community.