Department Of Buildings

Blocked Brooklyn Bridge View Claim Defeated

Development corporation constructed buildings in Brooklyn Bridge Park that blocked view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Promenade. In 2005 Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and Empire State Development Corporation adopted a general project plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park that included the development of a hotel, restaurant, and residential units upland of Brooklyn’s Pier 1. Community members demanded during the initial environmental review that the new buildings not block the view of the Brooklyn … <Read More>

Landlord Without Certificate of Occupancy Denied Rent

Building Owner added apartments and lacked new certificate of occupancy. GVS Properties LLC owned a 10-story residential building at 600 West 161st Street in Manhattan. In 1970, GVS Properties received a certificate of occupancy that permitted 53 apartments in the building. In 2014 GVS Properties applied for a certificate of occupancy to validate alterations to the building which had increased the number of apartments to 60. Buildings refused to grant the certificate of occupancy because … <Read More>

Advertising Sign Violations Upheld

Clear Channel Outdoor installed a monopole on a vacant lot to support two large billboards near the Major Deegan Expressway. In 2009, Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. installed a double-sided sign structure within view of the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. The monopole structure supported a sign for Clear Channel on one side and a sign for Beringer wines on the other. The premises was vacant other than the monopole sign structure. A building with … <Read More>

Installation and Disposal of AC Units

Failure to install or dispose of an air conditioning unit correctly can lead to fines ranging from as little as $100 to $1000. It could be hard to survive the summer heat in New York without an air conditioning unit. There are a few tips New Yorkers should recognize about the installation and disposal of air conditioning units. The Department of Buildings has also provided a set of guidelines on their website for the installation … <Read More>

Barbe-“Cues” For NYC BBQs This Summer; What The Law Says You Can And Can’t Do

The NYC Gas and Fire codes strictly regulate the use of barbecue grills by residents within the five boroughs.  According to the Department of Buildings there are several different types of barbecues that are regulated by the NYC Gas and Fire codes including propane, electric, charcoal, and natural gas grills. For each type of barbecue different safety standards and regulations may apply.  It is essential to comply with the safety standards outlined by the codes … <Read More>