bedrooms / living space permitted in English basement?

Hello,
I would like to know what DOB regulations are regarding bedrooms/living space in an English basement. This is regarding a 3 family brick building in Brooklyn. The basement is fully bellow grade in the front of the building. In the back of the buidling the same basement is only one foot bellow grade and leads to the backyard. Is it permitted to have bedrooms or any living space in the back of this floor? Thanks for any advice or if someone can paste in the DOB regulations it would great.( I don’t know where to look?)

nancy sullivqn

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 4 months ago

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slopegirl | 12 years and 4 months ago

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I spoke to DOB once about this when we were thinking about renovating a cellar space, no you can’t use it for bedrooms or for a full bath, but half bath is allowed, and rec room type living space is allowed. They told me they won’t approve plans unless the space is all open like a rec room, so in other words no walls (guy said half walls would likely be ok). So if you’re thinking of a reno it would be a guest/living space. I’ve heard some plumbers will place pipes for a shower and come back to add that in once DOB has inspected.

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 4 months ago

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Not allowed as of right.  If you have the FAR and are able to provide the required light and ventilation then it may be possible.