Office in an R6B townhouse?

Can our neighbors rent their townhouse to a company who plans to use it as an office space during the daytime? It won’t be a retail location with walk in traffic–only employees during the day. They argue it’s no different than people working from home. According to DOB, there’s no c of o for the property but it’s taxed as a two family residence. Any thoughts out there? thanks!

stonecastle

in Zoning 9 years and 3 months ago

3

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3 replies

resident2 | 9 years and 3 months ago

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It depends on the type of office/business. Doctors, Dentists are considered community use space, unless they are running a drug rehab center then it needs community board approval. I know of a few lawyers, architects etc that run a small office out of a garden floor apartment. If it is an office with a lot of traffic, creating parking and congestion issues a complaint will be taken more seriously. Or a business that often has more than a certain number of people per square feet, will run into fire escape issues.

cmu | 9 years and 3 months ago

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Honestly, what is wrong with people? I’d be happy if my neighbor’s house was an office…obviously less stress on everyone, empty in the evenings, no loud parties or arguments about trash. Or is the word ‘office’ a code for something else? DO you think a meth lab’s about to open there?

jcarch | 9 years and 3 months ago

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They should not be able to do this. In residential districts, you can have residences or community facilities as of right. You are allowed to have a home office in a residence as an accessory use, but not a commercial office. They’re renting the entire townhouse? I’ve heard of the occasional apartment being used like this – usually for a very small company (1-3 people). jcarch ———————— James Cleary Architecture brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jamescleary