Common Violations Issued by the Department of Buildings
Residence Altered ~ Occupancy Contrary
These violations can be tricky. Unlike a “work without permit” violation, these violations are not accusing you of having done the work. They are violations given because the DOB records show the current way the house is set up is different from what the inspector is seeing. Correcting this type of violation is to make the DOB records match what is at the property. This is done either by trying to legalize what exists in the DOB and once approved; Corrections can be filed when the work is finished
If what exists in the property can not be legalized, for example, an extension beyond what the zoning allows, then a job filing to bring the property back to the way it was should be filed. We have architects dedicated to violation corrections and can let you know all your options.
Work without a permit
Plumbing, electrical work (not changing light fixtures), and removing or putting up walls usually require an NYC licensed professional with a license number to pull a permit and do the work. Many times these jobs have to be filed for in advance in the DOB, and only upon DOB approval of the work will the job be eligible for a permit.
Illegal Basement and Cellar apartments
One of the most common violations is when homeowners get caught with an illegal apartment installed in their cellar or basement.
Firstly, there is a difference between a legal cellar and a legal basement and what each may have.
A cellar goes deeper beneath grade. The space is probably a cellar if the midpoint between the ceiling and floor is below ground level.
Cellar
No sleeping, no cooking aloud in a cellar. In a one or two-family home, you may have a two-piece bathroom -if filed for and legalized with permits.
In some cases, a third piece- the shower- is also allowed.
(A bathroom in the cellar is rarely granted in a three or more-unit home).
Call us, and we will be able to advise what you may and may not have in your home.
If you have a violation for a bathroom in your cellar, you either need to file a plumbing job to remove it OR, in some cases, we can file a job with the DOB to legalize the bathroom, and you can keep it. Don’t just tear it out. Call us first.
Basement
Basements are usually allowed as living spaces. That doesn’t mean that you can install what you want. It does mean that if you filed for a full bathroom, you would usually be granted it. In addition, many times, you can turn the basement into a separate dwelling unit. However, this means filing to change the certificate of occupancy is quite costly.
Illegal curb cuts & car pads
These are cut and dry. The off-street parking will be determined by which zone your property is in and how wide the frontage of your property is.
If you get this type of violation, we will advise you of which course of action you need to take to resolve the violation.
Remember, as with all violations, attending court and paying the fine will not resolve the violation. Further violations for not complying will likely follow. If you don’t have someone to pull a permit and fix the curb, we can recommend an experienced sidewalk contractor.
DOB Complaint
A complaint usually results when someone calls the DOB or 311 and informs them of a situation at a particular address. The complaint will be noted on the DOB system, and an inspector will be dispatched to investigate.
If the inspector confirms the condition, one or more violations will be issued, and the violation numbers will be noted on the complaint.
The violations will appear on their section of the DOB page several weeks later. However, suppose the complaint is confirmed to be unwarranted. In that case, the complaint will be closed, and no further action will be needed.
Contact us.
1525 East 10th street
Brooklyn, NY 11230
(347) 856-7218
Contact@Viocorrect.com
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Contact Us
1525 East 10th street
Brooklyn, NY 11230
Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–6pm
Phone
(347) 856-7218