Mini garden in front of brownstone - need permit?

Pouring concrete is in the code, and certain drainage requirements can apply depending on the amount of concrete and other factors, I think under a certain amount may be exempt. One has to do with how much you can drain into a combined building drain, ie not separate storm, and it’s a little tricky, but you can work it out. I had to do the calcs once to convince my plumber the drainage was code compliant for a patio, most LMPs are hesitant to do that. Removal wouldn’t have that issues, but probably would technically require a demo permit. That aid removal of a few hundred square feet of patio would very likely qualify as a minor alteration not affecting the health, safety, or fire code and therefore not require a permit. But it’s not about whether a permit is legally required, but whether you end up getting a stop work order, and what your backup plan is in that case. I would do not hesistate to remove cement from my areaway, but if someone had filed an areaway plan in 2005, I’d want to know that.

Now most areaways and stoops and areaway fences are in fact partly or tot ally on city property. Don’t believe me? Check your survey. At some point in was decided that these structures were grandfathered and allowed to remain without a formal revocable consent from the city, and no fees are charged on them like new stoops would be. But the city can and has ordered people to remove stoops for sidewalk projects. There is not adverse property claim available against city sidewalks, so even if you’ve been using it for 150 years, it doesn’t become yours. Weird but true.

hkapstein

in General Discussion 4 years and 3 months ago

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andriywww1990 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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jane asked a valid question and i wanted to drill down – though i do agree with you JH. and i am a tree lover so ripping up concrete? i am all for it.

thank the heavens that NYFC has not found a way to control that 15 feet of space between the front of the house and the sidewalk. that is all we have left.

andriywww1990 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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bob, i know you are on. i have something for you.

shahnandersen

in General Discussion 4 years and 3 months ago

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@doorsbythetinkerswagon
While you probably can remove concrete, you DO need a permit from DEP to pave an unpaved area in the front yard as it adds more water to the sewer system.

colonialrevival | 4 years and 3 months ago

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Please do make the garden and then share it here once complete!

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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I second that!

andriywww1990 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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ahh, thank you bobjbbkln. this is very good to know. and would that mean for the back yard as well? here is runs down the community drive and into to the sewers. this is something useful to know.

shahnandersen

in General Discussion 4 years and 3 months ago

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@doorsbythetinkerswagon
I believe so, the issue is the same.

andriywww1990 | 4 years and 3 months ago

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bob, i love this. if there is one thing i wish we had a law against in this city it is cutting down healthy trees and laying concrete. the mindset in brooklyn is go green. over here it is, cut the trees down, lay concrete, park a “caddy” on the concrete and go inside and eat and watch tv.

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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I have been burned a few times with wrong advice here. Till someone pastes the Code in here regarding concrete removal or pouring, it is speculative. That being said go for it if you think no one will complain.

hkapstein | 4 years and 3 months ago

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The problem is that the code falls in a gray area. Areaways that are on city property don’t have a clear code. If you decide to ask dob for an interpretation, you may find yourself in a rabbit hole to hell, so it’s really just about having a plan if you get tattled on.

Guest User | 4 years and 3 months ago

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My point was about concrete – there are specific rules around pouring or removing concrete in different areas. Separately, front yards are usually inside a property fence. Is that not the case here?