feasibility of turning an extension that wasn't filed into a legal extension

You guys are great. Thanks for this info @MDR. So I think it must be a porch in the back. We would be renovating the existing footprint. I’ll definitely consult with an architect to get the final word on whether we’ll need to get it approved and whether we are grandfathered in with the existing structure and it’s dimensions.

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in General Discussion 8 years and 2 months ago

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peaceout | 8 years and 2 months ago

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Grand Army Plaza library has the Sanborn maps on the top floor. If the extension was never filed (common in NYC back in the day), but on the Sanborn map, you probably can be grandfathered in.

WRPListings | 8 years and 2 months ago

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Thanks to both of you! This is super helpful!!

WRPListings | 8 years and 2 months ago

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Question, @Run Joe, what were you looking for on the maps you linked? I looked at what they have from 1900-1909 and the next time period, and the house is there, but I’m trying to decipher what the map can tell me? I see a tiny rectangle on the back of the house. Do you know what that means? Thanks!

CarmenR | 8 years and 2 months ago

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There’s a key somewhere that you can use to determine what the map is showing. We relied heavily on Sanborn maps to be able to keep our wood front porch and to keep the “secondary building” on our lot (it used to be a stable on the 1880 sanborn map.) Had we not been able to show those items on the map, we likely would have had to replace and rebuild to current code.

CarmenR | 8 years and 2 months ago

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Also if you’re planning on submitting this to the DOB, you’ll need an official copy of the sanborn map. Pretty sure it was around $200 and can be ordered directly from sanborn if memory serves.

Run Joe | 8 years and 2 months ago

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The fact the something is indicated on the map is good. As others have mentioned you’re going to have to order a Sanborn to get the level of detail you’re looking for.

Is this property the only one with the rectangle or are there other similarly sized rectangles on the block?

WRPListings | 8 years and 2 months ago

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There are other similarly sized rectangles on the block. I can’t tell what they are. The legend doesn’t include them. They are very small. Here’s the map. Without giving the exact address, you can see that there are lots of buildings with small rectangles/squares attached on the back. Ours has a wider rectangle (the length of the building). https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/64b4bacb-eb81-f38a-e040-e00a18063c80

MDR | 8 years and 2 months ago

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On the historical map the extensions that are pink are masonry, those in yellow are wood framed. If there is no color it is an open porch. The small unfilled boxes were likely small porches providing cover at the door from the kitchen out to the yard. Some houses in the late 1870’s were built with a small toilet room in the rear corner of the house but accessed from the outside. You had to go out the kitchen door to get to it. With a flushing toilet it was a step up from an outhouse.

If your extension is 20′ long it was almost certainly built or rebuilt after the original house construction. A good proportion of houses in Brooklyn have extensions built without a permit, that’s not really a problem. If you are just renovating within the existing footprint, most people would do that without permits and not have any issues. If you are doing more extensive work then you will need to hire an architect to get it approved and yes it will face a lot of scrutiny by DOB.