Getting permits when you have un-permitted work.

As noted in another post, we had no issues whatsoever with the inspection, despite having an old house with a variety of, adjustments shall we say. All the wiring was in the basement, but they were very business-like, went directly to where the wiring was, checked stuff, and were off pretty quickly. They seemed very focused on the job at hand, and had no interest in anything other than the electrical installation. I don’t think you need to worry. We like having solar a lot, very easy all in all. Go for it if you can, it’s quite satisfying to pay only Con Ed fees, and it comes with a 25 year warranty. All best!

riis10

in Construction 11 years and 10 months ago

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mpcmpc | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I very much want to invest in solar hot water and electrical. I know the financial pay off is not large, but we get good sun, and I am committed to reducing my building’s carbon footprint. This solar work will need to be permitted. I’ve heard stories about the fire department investigating new roof structures with help of google earth images. The problem is that we’ve renovated our basement into a duplex with a downstairs shower, bathroom, TV room, and laundry room. We also added radiant floor heating and a new circuit breaker for the basement electricity. None of this was done with a permit. The basement is not a new unit. It’s just an addition, but I am sure there are probably code issues – for example the basement fire exit works for us, but it is not perfectly to code. I don’t know if the boiler room is the right size either. Can we pretend to be grandfathered in when we request the solar permits? What aspects of the building will be inspected for the hot water solar plumbing upgrade? For the solar electrical addition. Should I just give up on this dream? We’re in Brooklyn. I’d love to hear other people’s experiences and advice. Thanks all.

joegc | 11 years and 11 months ago

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First are you talking about a Basement or a Cellar? Generally inspectors should only look at what is on the department of building plans. If you are talking about cellar, the shower is major problem. You can not have a full bathroom in a cellar. However, inspectors are like the devil, once you invite them, they will do what they want. Joe GC

mpcmpc | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks Joe, I am guessing that we have a cellar as it was originally unfinished. How would I go about confirming that? Also, what if the shower were there when I bought the house? Would I then be grandfathered in? My contractor seemed to say that we could make such a claim. Best, Mike C

Putnamdenizen | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Cellar vs basement has to do with whether the level is more than half above curbside grade (basement) or below that grade (cellar). Seems to me that if shower were unpermitted/nonconforming you would get a citation, and then you are suggesting that as a defense, at a hearing, you would suggest (lie?) under oath that the shower was installed by someone else. (1) It would only be grandfathered if its existence predated the building code in question (I think). (2) Sounds like this isn’t true any way from the way you phrased your post. A hearing officer would be judging your credibility, and I imagine, without knowing, that that same hearing officer would have discretion of how much of a fine to levy after finding you in violation of the building code. This is where an architect or an expeditor will likely be a much better source of information that the average contractor. I have sympathy for reasons I won;t go into here!

mpcmpc | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks for the information. I greatly appreciate it. The punchline is that I stand more to lose than gain in adding solar and a green roof. I believe that the threat of global warming is real. To that end, I would do whatever I could to be a part of the solution. I’d be willing to pay an expediter for help and advice in conforming to the letter of the law to get this done. Any recommendations anyone?

mopeslope | 11 years and 10 months ago

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I would recommend Scott Schnall as an expediter. He knows the ins and outs of the DOB and will give you practical advice.