Building Classification discrepancy
Does anyone know what the process to update the DOF building classification when it does not match the DOB Certificate of Occupancy (CO)? Long story short, we are getting DOB fine notice of the LL152 gas inspection. This inspection is for 3+ buildings. Since DOB has CO showing its 2 family but DOF has building as 3 family, we are not sure how to proceed. My guess is that we can send them the CO but I would assume DOB already have that and hopefully it gets waived.
I prefer not to deal with this every 4 years, so DOB said we should contact DOF to update the building classification since the CO on file is dated in 1980. Not sure why this wasnt done previously. I just want to know if its a simple contact to DOF to let them know the discrepancy and they will just update it OR is this going to be a bigger thing where I have to hire an architect and team of people to update this.

namahs
in General Discussion 3 months ago
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Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 weeks ago
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never mind my comment below. i thought i was replying to something new. probably same old comment.

Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 weeks ago
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i think someone came on here a few months ago (like 2 or 3) with a discrepancy between the two and someone, probably a professional (like an architect), stated that trying to get this done with the DOF was going to be a pain in the …
See if you can find that discussion.

mws2112 | 3 weeks ago
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It sounds like you’re dealing with something I’ve been through. We have a single family home but our certificate of occupancy said it was a 3 family, and we got a notice from the DOB in late 2023 that we needed a local law 152 inspection.
Despite DOB enforcing this inspection, they pull the CO from the department of finance. By going to this link I was able to file with the department of finance to correct my CO: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/finance/jump/property_rfr.html — file a request to update. You’ll need to create an account with the city gov to see that link.
It was a bit annoying, but basically someone came by and took some photos and then my CO record online was updated, and I haven’t heard anything from DOB about local law 152 since. Took a few months end to end.
My property taxes were not impacted by this process as far as I could tell. I was a bit concerned with all the photos being taken but it didn’t seem to have any real impact.

Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 months ago
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Google this: “how do i correct nyc dept of finance occupancy for my home”. It returned an ai result that makes it sound as though there is a standardized process for this

jimhillra | 3 months ago
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The DOB will often defer to the DOF use under the assumption that work was done without a permit to add more dwelling units. It’s impossible to talk to DOF on the phone, so you could try going to the DOF offices with a copy of your C of O, and try to meet with someone to discuss it.
If you don’t have the time or stomach for this (and who does, really?) I would suggest going with Cate’s suggestion, and hire an expediter to work it out.

cate | 3 months ago
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There are companies who specialize in violation removal for DOB and other city agencies relating to buildings such as DEP. They should be able to get this fine dropped, as well as straighten out the discrepancy permanently. It can cost just a few hundred dollars such as $300. Money very well spent in my opinion.

Brownstone Home Inspection | 3 months ago
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this issue comes up all over the place and often confuses home buyers who do not know if what they are looking at is a single family or a two family when they look at the DOB vs Dept of Finance records. i suspect you think like i do that the DOB records are the ones that end up counting in so far as what the building occupancy is and if this is the case, why is the gas company relying on the Dept of Finance records? if i were in your shoes i would go to my city council person’s office and put this to them and see if someone can take the responsibility for this off the shoulders of the homeowners and put it back on the government agencies where it seems to belong. this is a big issue for a lot of people.