cellar and DOB

My cellar is currently drawn into the construction plans as being Storage (although I always said it´s going to be used as space extension of our owner´s duplex)
I would like to make a light shaft to get some light from the back of the house.
I was told the cellar is not habitable space, and the window may raise questions about that.
Is that really the case? Let´s say I want to make a gym in the cellar, is that really a problem? I have seen many photos of integrated cellars – are they all illegal?

Augustiner

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 13 years ago

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tommydodo | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I had the same issue as the original poster, and Jim, your reply was so very helpful and to the point. I also really appreciate your follow up via email as well. Brownstoner is a better site because of posting like yours. Keep them coming!

slopemope | 13 years ago

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I would think you could do it as long as plan says space to be used for non-habitable purposes.  Having said that, i’ve seen it done illegally and its a very nice touch.  Eventually, after a few years it does feel like a dungeon down there.

dazednconfused2 | 13 years ago

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The cellar can be used as a recreation room as you describe, if it meets the following criteria:     Recreation rooms are permitted in the cellar of multiple dwellings when:
(1) Said recreation rooms are being provided in conjunction with the apartments directly above.
(2) Said recreation rooms will be smaller than the apartments that they are accessory to.
(3) Said recreation rooms are connected with apartments directly via communicating stair in compliance with LL58/87.
(4) Said recreation rooms are provided with egress via FPSC doors at the lower level directly into the public hall.
(5) Said recreation room will not be used as “living rooms” or for sleeping purposes. Plan shall include this note.
(6) Said recreation rooms will not be rented independently.
(7) Said recreation rooms will be provided with a minimum sized powder room barely large enough to accommodate a water closet and lavatories. (8) The apartment being served has a minimum of three and a half zoning rooms or 1200 sq feet.   There is a DOB memo that has become the accepted rules for a rec room and it lists the above 8 items.  Another architect mentioned the following two to me a while ago, but I haved filed and got approval for rec rooms which do not meet those three criteria, so I’m listing them seperately.
(9) The recreation room has no window to the outside.
(10) The distance between the communicating stair and the entrance door to the apartment will not be more than 20 feet.     Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP Urban Pioneering Architecture