Backyard Workplace Sheds/Offices

Anyone have any info on whether prefab yard offices are good ideas? They seem to be popular, w/ everyone working from home, but maybe if you have a nice suburban lawn. In Bklyn, would I really need a permit to put one in? In a small Bk yard are they viable? Could I get the prefab box through my home, with no alley space on either side? Thanks for any intel.

brooklynschlepper

in General Discussion 4 years and 5 months ago

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andriywww1990 | 4 years and 5 months ago

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if you put one in, let it sit as a storage shed for a good while. even if it is legal, some neighbor might call on you. my neighbor called my legal shed a “house” and me a “home builder” and if we were not friendly with one another he might have made a call. so let it sit, 6 mos or so. if no one complains, make your modifications.

restorationcontractor | 4 years and 5 months ago

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Here’s the link to the regulations.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/homeowner/fences-and-backyard-sheds.page

I would say it depends on your neighbors, nowadays anyone can call 311 on you. If you want to take chance build what you like, they can’t actually make you remove it. Worst case you will get a violation and a nice hefty fine. You would just have to remove the shed before you sell the property.

We built a huge one story metal warehouse building on nearly the entire lot in the heart of Bushwick back in in the late 90’s with no permits. I think it might even still be there. I don’t think you’re getting away with that now though, and I certainly wouldn’t try it again. Amazing how much Brooklyn has changed in just the last 20+ years.

MDR | 4 years and 5 months ago

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In most cases, no, you cannot do that. Garden sheds are allowed up to 120sf and max of 7 1/2 feet tall. They cannot be heated or permanently affixed to the ground and if they are wood they have to be three feet from property lines. To build a real habitable space you need permits and most lots require a 30′ rear yard setback and 60% max lot coverage so it is unlikely it would be allowed unless you have a larger than normal lot.

andriywww1990 | 4 years and 5 months ago

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so far as i recall, with no permit, we are allowed a 120 sq ft shed. no foundation. and there is a height restriction. i am not sure you can do it there but someone down the road from me called some outfit in Pa, perhaps amish. they came with a crane and lifted the pre fab shed right over the house and set it in the back yard.

i built my own here, but years ago we ordered one for a place where i worked – sort of like what we see in the HD lot, and they sent a two person team and had a shed built in one day. everything was precut and bundled for them. perhaps the HD ones come that way?