Ground Level Deck...permit required?

I just moved into a new ground floor (rental) building in Bed-Stuy, which has a good sized private backyard. The yard itself is completely unfinished, so essentially a blank canvas to create a nice space back there. I’ve weighed the options, from sod, seed, patio stones, pea gravel, and my personal preference would be to construct a deck for a portion of the backyard. Upon countless website visits, it’s still totally vague to me whether or not a permit is required for something like this. The forums (including this one) seem to lean towards not needing a permit, while the more “official” NYC gov website state the opposite. The deck would be floating, so not attached to the building, and just a few inches from the ground. Building it 3ft away from the property line is not an issue.

Any firm thoughts one way or another? Happy to share additional building plans if what I provided above is too simplistic.

Thanks!

georginepod

in General Discussion 7 years and 11 months ago

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mh | 7 years and 10 months ago

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To rat-proof either a low deck or large pavers, the secret is to add at least 2-3″ of gravel, either drainage rocks or large marble chips underneath. Critters burrow in soft soil that’s protected from the elements, so a deck built directly over dirt would be a bad idea.

rwood | 7 years and 10 months ago

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I wanted to do the same, but my contractor said it will be hard to critter proof a floating deck with dirt under. We have a ferral cat issue in the area and I would not like to smell #2 under the deck and not be able to clean that.

patrickburnsjr | 7 years and 10 months ago

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It’s a landscaping job-no permit if under 3′ high. Pavers are cool. So Sketch & Hammer has been doing low to ground decking for years using real wood (cedar, pine, & ipe) staying 3′ away from property lines (code) with the option of closing up open sides of decking to “critters not wanted” w. turkey wire. [IMG_4894](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s2/:brownstoner:kDC9:img_4894.png.jpg) [IMG_4895](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s2/:brownstoner:D0Mf:img_4895.png.jpg)

daveinbedstuy | 7 years and 10 months ago

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Why not use pavers of some sort? It’s a landscaping job. No permits required.

resident2 | 7 years and 11 months ago

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If I was your landlord, I would not allow you to build a deck on the ground, floating or not.
This is an invitation for rats to make themselves at home under your deck.

kassie319 | 7 years and 11 months ago

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I discussed this briefly with an expediter as I was doing what you propose. His opinion was filing required as I was using concrete footings. I did not file it however.

slopefarm | 7 years and 11 months ago

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If a permit is required, the landlord has to get it,not you. As Putnam said, you really need to go through the LL on this.

mozeeatupu | 7 years and 11 months ago

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Unless the deck is on grade, meaning no higher than three feet above the ground, a permit is required.

Putnamdenizen | 7 years and 11 months ago

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I think the issue is more your landlord than the city (I wouldn’t get a permit if I owned the house). Sounds like you are treating this more like “furniture” than a renovation.