Permit for Pergola?

I’m no architect … but I recently purchase a house in Bay Ridge that has a large back yard Pergola (about 10 feet wide, 15 feet long, 10 feet tall). It’s free standing, no utilities, and stands many feet from back of house, and a few feet on from each fence line. Its existence was revealed to my lender when the survey was done. My bank wanted all sorts of documentation – a c/o or other certification of compliance. I spoke with an architect I knew, the lawyers at my title company, the seller (he faced no problems when he purchased the home). The bank gave me hell but eventually they relented when I had a licensed architect write a stamped letter citing building code to prove no city approval/certification was available or required. So no, you most likely don’t need a permit but you might have a headache if and when you sell if you deal with a bank that doesn’t know what they’re doing.

BigD

in Roofers 11 years and 5 months ago

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mgreen | 11 years and 5 months ago

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If I hire someone to build a pergola for our backyard in Brooklyn, do we need to get a NYC Buildings dept. permit?

zagor | 11 years and 5 months ago

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No.

Townie | 11 years and 5 months ago

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I think there is a specific set back requirement for wood structures… so many feet from property lines… anyway it depends on your neighbors… whether they cause a stink with the DOB. maybe one of the architects who post regularly will comment.