No C of O and no I-Card - will we need to get a C of O before we'll be granted permits to renovate?

We’re buying a brownstone that needs a gut and we plan to do everything by the books. The house is listed for tax purposes as a 2-family, but there is no C of O and no I-Card on record.  We plan to use the house as a 1 family and hope to get the ball rolling immediately after closing.  We’re working to get the plans drawn up and hope to be able to submit a day or two after it’s official, but we’re worried that we’ll need to get a C of O first, which we understand can be a lengthy process. Anyone with any experience on this?  The house is in non-landmarked Park Slope, if that matters at all.  Thanks! Julie

theoperadiva

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 11 months ago

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bklyngirl | 12 years and 11 months ago

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did this myself years ago and I needed therapy after having to deal with DoB, Expediters, architects, LANDSHARKS, et al.  Good luck.  It was us 2 years of pure hell.  My sole advice is to hire a construction manager who will run interference on all the agencies for you.  Might be expensive but worth it.

theoperadiva | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Thank you for the helpful responses from pig-three and edkopel!

greenmountain | 12 years and 11 months ago

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All by the books?  Under what class will your licensed contractor be insured for workers compensation?  Will sales tax be collected on materials?  Payroll tax?  What license?

pigthree | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Just because the building is taxed as a two does not mean it is a legal two. How is the building configured?  Two gas, two electric meters? Go to the dept of buildings and look at the paper file for your address.  check the micro as well. If there is no proof of configuration or use (tax class is completely irrelevant), then you may have greater options. You may be able to file an Alt 2 for the work you wish to do.  Faster approval.  Plus you may be able to file your new configuration as existing 😉 – provided you are not doing massive reconfiguration of entire space. You are not necessarily required to obtain a cert. of occupancy

agdipierro

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 11 months ago

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You will get your new Certificate of Occupancy once all the work is completed, not before. Your architect will be filing an Alteration Type 1 Application at the building department and requesting a new C of O once the proposed work is approved, built, and signed off.  Ed Kopel Architects, PC