Park Slope Roof Deck - Stabilized Building

Good Afternoon & Happy Easter

I’m looking for some information on how I should proceed with getting someone to help me plan and cost a roof deck on my building in Park Slope. It is a 8 Family rent stabilized building which is owner occupied. I’m also curious about the rules and potential insurance hikes for roof decks on a stabilized build. I really only want the deck for myself and my parents who also live in the building. I’m thinking about having it fenced off and locked for private use only. I want to understand if this is even possible for a stabilized building. Any information is appreciated.

Guest User | 5 years and 1 month ago

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patrickburnsjr | 5 years and 1 month ago

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Please note simple “positive” information: ( (1) Look to see what’s in the lease. (2) Have the LL agree to this installation in writing. (3) Ask LL to have your rent reduced. (4) Get an estimate from an insured deck builder w. insured iron-worker after the pandemic is over ( Search “roof decks” on Brownstoner Forum for references). (5) Leave the FDNY’s required open roof fire path from required bulkhead to deck, and through gated deck to a Fire Escape (easily incorporated into the 300sf limited coverage for a 2020 DOB code compliant deck). (6) If deck weight load is floating off the roof via being carried by a WD10 steel I-Beams which are resting on the structural parapet walls, there will never be a weight load issue to cause problems to the roof. (7) If your deck is elevated 30″-36″ off the roof there is enough crawl space for roofers to maintain the roof surface. (8) If you use Ipe flooring, you never need maintenance and if you stay 3′ away from the property lines you are good to go. (8) See codes: NYC.gov/decks & porches.

resident2 | 5 years and 1 month ago

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The costs of planning & building and then maintenance etc should be enough to put you off this idea. Speak to an Architect. And remember any time you file a permit to add to your building you will get an increase in your RE Taxes. RE Taxes are an expense that stay on for ever, even after your roof deck has rotted from lack of use & been dismantled! And it sadly will because the maintenance of not only the deck, but the roof becomes more trouble than the deck is worth. It is cheaper to buy a car & take more trips to beautiful outdoor spaces, even a cabin upstate will be cheaper or at least a better investment.
Then you have the added issue of Rent Stabilized building tenants & their rights. As well as the Fire Escape component of the roof access for all tenants in the case of an emergency. Fencing off large areas of the roof & / or blocking access to the roof will infringe on the tenants rights. And yes, your Insurance will go up & will probably require an Insuran ce inspector each year, depending on which company you are Insured with, that you of course need to pay for. Ask your Insurance Broker / Company.