Restrictive Deed Declaration

Our expeditor writes: “the examiner is requesting you to file a Restrictive Deed Declaration. … it’s a document that you file with city clerk, declaring that the use of the cellar will be strictly recreational.” Would having a workshop count as “recreational use”? I don’t think of laundry as recreational, but that it where the washer and dryer will be.
I suppose having a visiting family member sleep (very occasionally) in the basement would not be allowed, but how likely would it be that this would get us into trouble? Also, does anyone know what the filing fee would be to file with the city clerk? The expeditor is offering to take care of it, including the fee, for $200.

Guest User | 2 years and 4 months ago

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cate | 2 years and 4 months ago

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If the space is 50 percent or more below grade, it cannot be used for sleeping, and is not safe to use for sleeping. Plus you’d be advised to waterproof it really well (vapor barrier etc.). There are also rules restricting bathrooms. A toilet and sink are usually fine, but not more.

justinromeu26 | 2 years and 4 months ago

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So i forgot. Someone else just got accused of converting basement/cellar into living space. They may not be doing that and it might have been a spite call. But this reason someting likethis can happen here is people can see into our back yards and the cellar if the doors are open. I doubt you will have that situation. Don’t ever let dob in until you remove say a bed.

Also, if you will be closing any permits. Don’t put whatever down there until all inspections are done so they don’t have a reason to go down there.

Guest User | 2 years and 4 months ago

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thanks!

justinromeu26 | 2 years and 4 months ago

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Ok. All of these houses where i live have a celler below them that in many cases opens to ground level in the rear. The house is built into a hill to the front. EVERYONE has made some other use of that space and some people back in the 60’s put summer kitchens in the cellar. Only one person got nailed because threatened to call the cops on a drug dealer and the drug dealer called the dob and he LET the dob into his house.

What they don’t want is people using it as living space. I will guess a ping pong table and recreational work bench for a hobbyist is ok.

This is what i worry about: a fire and the insurance co says you should not have been using that space that way and deny a claim. If this is an english basement, that is one thing, but anything lower than that i would be leary of letting people sleep there.

Ours say “storage” . If i put a workbench down there, i would tell them that is where i store my tools.

Unless you tell the world what your doing down there, i would not be too concerned.