Violation for a pre existing condition

I received a violation for work without a permit. The inspector writes “work noted: at the time of inspection I observed bldg at the rear of the property was demolished without proper approval and permits. Remedy: obtain necessary permits.  There was absolutely no work done or any demolition done since we purchased the property.  We had one hearing and it adjourned: issuing officer required.  What proof can I bring to this hearing to prove that I bout the property this way? Would the Deed help?

kellyg

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 12 years and 10 months ago

5

174

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5068 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5070 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Nope.

BobMarvin | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5071 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5075 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "802"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "BobMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bjal4I777uLEVjk0g.z3FqOsdFjEuL1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "bobmarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "marvbej@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/bobmarvin/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 23:16:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(802)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I wonder if an affidavit from the seller or real estate broker, stating that there was no additional structure when you bought the house, would be sufficient proof?

Guest User | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "209624"

Re-reading the original post, if there was a structure that was demolished without a permit before you bought it, you are still responsible for the work without a permit violation.  If you can prove you bought it this way, then you can contest the fees with the ECB and possibly avoid their fines.  You would, however, still need to pay the DOB fines.  The same company that does the sanborn maps, can also provide you with a history of satellite photos, which may show a point at which the structure disappeared.  The satellite photos before the 80’s are pretty poor quality so it might not be possible to distinguish which house is yours or of the structure was there or not.  It’s a long shot, but sometimes it’s helpful.

Guest User | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "209624"

call up EDR and ask for the sanborn map package where they give you one or two from each decade they have, it may go into the 1880’s. (800) 624-0470

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5075 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5071 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You are stuck if there was a structure there and it is now gone.  You owe the building and are responsible for it.  You can order the Sanbron maps and see if there was ever anything there.  If not, you most likely can argue your way out of it.