Changing 2 family wood frame to 3 family

Is this doable on a wood frame house? Existing is 2 story + an attic. My plan is to enlarge and convert the attic to its own dwelling unit. And what would be the fire safety requirement? There is already a fire escape do I need sprinkler system? Thanks!

Guest User | 9 years and 2 months ago

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arch111 | 9 years and 2 months ago

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architensions…address please?

architensions | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Multi dwelling law 56 gives specific prescription on the matter. But it depends case by case. We just completed a project similar to yours 3 families, frame building plus enlargement, legally and DOB approved and signed-off. Best, architensions.com info@architensions.com

arch111 | 9 years and 2 months ago

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No you can not. the exterior walls need to be non-combustible. We did just finish a 2-3 conversion. 3 bedrooms/ 2 baths per floor is worthwhile according to our developer. http://nyc-dob.com

Augustiner | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Sounds like a great idea, but it isn’t. 10 years until you will start seeing a return on investment. And then the portion that you rent out doesn’t account for your owner occupied tax break.

resident2 | 9 years and 2 months ago

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No you cannot make a three family in a frame building period! But that said making any two family house even in a Brick or a Brownstone is opening up a whole can of worms that at the end of day is not worth the time, money & trouble.

ps158 | 9 years and 2 months ago

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Possibly, but you’d need to talk to an architect. You’ll have to change the CO from 2-family to 3-family, and I’m almost certain that would trigger a need for sprinklers, regardless of fire escape. But again, best to speak to an architect. (And even then, you may get different interpretations of the codes…) The biggest hurdle I think to doing what you want to do is getting a new CO. Whole different game when you do an Alt 1 vs. Alt 2.

carmenf | 9 years and 2 months ago

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You will almost certainly need sprinklers. What is the headroom like in the attic? There’s a minimum ceiling height for installing full bathrooms (I believe it’s 7.5′?)