Balcony possible?

Hi. We’re in the process of purchasing a building in Brooklyn, and want to be sure that a balcony can be built off the top floor, in the back. We want to be as certain as we can be that a permit will be issued for the work.

Looking at the attached photo of the back of the building, can we be pretty confident that the city would in fact issue a permit? I realize we would need to have plans drawn up etc. But, just trying to get a sense of how confident we can be that it *can* be done? Thank you! [2009A38A-73DA-4920-BACF-9A8E2EEE724E](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:MNcn:2009a38a73da4920bacf9a8e2eee724e.jpeg.jpg)

estrellaaddia

in General Discussion 4 years and 7 months ago

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catboot | 4 years and 7 months ago

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I think in dealing with the DOB there is never 100% certainty. There is a pretty good chance, however, that your neighbors will resent you and the balcony.

hkapstein | 4 years and 7 months ago

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Well I think there’s two questions. One is whether it’s technically feasible and economical. You’d need to talk to an engineer about that. The other is whether it’s up to code. If it’s not landmarked, or it’s not visible from a public street, I can’t see why it would not be allowed, but there are details about rear yard penetrations you might want to go over. But you won’t get the level of assurance you want here, you need to talk to an architect or engineer who can file for the permits.

estrellaaddia | 4 years and 7 months ago

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And to clarify, yes something supported by posts, attached to but not hanging off the building — whether that’s called a deck or a balcony.

estrellaaddia | 4 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is a flip.

I believe I’m using the right terminology with “balcony” vs “deck”, but I could very well be wrong. It was my understanding that a “deck” would not be allowed from the top floor, but a “balcony” would be.

The process for plans and permits hasn’t happened yet. The sellers may take on this responsibility, but if they don’t, I was just hoping to get some reasonably reliable feedback on the feasibility of it. We would of course have plans drawn up and permits pulled etc. Mostly just trying to make a decently confident assessment if it would indeed be possible/allowed.

hkapstein | 4 years and 7 months ago

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Why would a balcony not be permited, while a deck would? Assuming an engineer files the design, and it’s not landmarked, or landmarks approves it, I don’t see why this wouldn’t be disallowed, but I could easily have missed something.

Guest User | 4 years and 7 months ago

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if it is a flip there may be no permits pulled…if you file for the deck you may be liable for filing and correcting all the substandard work done without a permit

yudashasom | 4 years and 7 months ago

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Looks like a flip!

GreenThinker | 4 years and 7 months ago

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A deck supported by posts, yes. An actual balcony hanging off the building itself, no.