Getting permit with previously unpermitted work

We want to build a deck from the rear of our parlor floor which involves turning a living room window into a door. I would like to do it legitimately, but I’m nervous that other work we’ve already done without permits will get us into trouble. For example, we created a staircase in both the front pad and the back garden going down in to the basement. There were holes in the ground with metal covers, but we dug them out and made stairs. They are well made and hopefully to code, but we never got any permits. Also, we just resurfaced the rear facade of our building removing vinyl siding and replacing with waterproofing material and stucco. Also no permits. Do we have to retroactively legalize all those things or just hope that an inspector doesn’t ask about them? Also, I’d like to hear thoughts on just doing the door and deck without permits at all. We don’t plan to sell for 20+ years and we’d rather not wait the 4-6 weeks for permits to go through (or longer if there are problems). How many out there are of the mindset to just skip the permit process? We are a two family, in Bed-Stuy, non Landmark street – if that makes a difference. Thanks!!

julia77

in Roofers 11 years and 2 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

hjcphoto21 | 11 years and 1 month ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4850 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4861 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "182325"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "hjcphoto21"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B4S.O4LqjWGZuRJN96lxQYofZS4dpA0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "hjcphoto21"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(33) "heather.heathercourtney@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:47:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "hjcphoto21"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(182325)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Hi Julia77, apologies, this reply is a question not an answer… the stairs you put in going to your basement, did they replace cellar hatch doors? I am trying to do the same thing and have come across multiple opinions about whether to file or not, but none from anyone who has actually done it. Did you do the work yourself or did you hire a contractor? and if you hired a contractor, any chance you’d share their contact info somehow?

dazednconfused2 | 11 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4851 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4852 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209624"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BghKLTB3pwiNsI5BhQ/fSb/bBQWxiL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "un.perceived@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-04 18:01:21"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "dazednconfused2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209624)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

As an architect, I have to recommend against doing a deck without a permit, or any other work where filing would be required. If you get a violation, the cost of penalty fees plus fixing it could be thousands of dollars. Whether or not you file, make sure to build it to code, meaning the structure and decking cannot be wood (or trex or any other synthetic decking) if it’s within 3′ of the side property line. If you file the new deck, then just have the architect or engineer draw the stairs you already put in and the resurfacing of the rear facade, but show it as new work. That’s the proper way to “legalize” something that wasn’t filed before.

slopefarm | 11 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4855 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4849 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I’m a little less sanguine about going the no-permits route than dibs and arkady. The three of us know someone who built a deck without a permit and then a neighbor did drop a dime and it wsa an expensive PITA to set it right with the DOB. If you are going to go ahead without a permit, make sure you are reasonably comfortable with your neighbors and that your contractor is courteous, works clean and doesn’t treat the neighbors’ yards like a personal playpen.

Arkady | 11 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4850 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4848 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I agree w/ dibs – unless you have neighbors who will cause problems, I’d go ahead w/ it. If you do get a permit, I doubt you’ll be cited for prior work although the stairs might be looked at.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4851 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4847 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Things may be different now but when I bought my house in BedStuy on Stuyvesant between Madon and Halsey (not landmarked), all of the work done was unpermitted and I continued to do more, including adding a steel/wood code compliant deck without permits. i never had a problem. A lot of it has to do with whether or not you have neighbors who will have issues with the work being done. there was a lot of unpermitted work on my block. Not saying this is right for your situation but it is still being done, without issues. At the very least, make all your work is actually done to code.