All Forum Posts by: Jared W Smith

As @Eric Hajdu mentioned, your best bet is to start with an Architect. Gain some insight on the process, feasibility and expectations. 

I would not go to a Contractor until the feasibility is worked out and there's a detailed plan of action. In a complex scenario like yours, a Contractor is not going to know how the additional floor will be added. Architect and Engineers will specify allowed size, structure, composition and layout. A Contractor quote at this early stage would be a huge guess. CMU vs Steel? Fire rated construction components? Fire suppression & sprinklers? LL97 impact? This all needs to figured out. All the best @Mayer Arkalji

As I found, do not go based on the Contractor for "is permits required". Typically it's on you as the owner to determine if permits are required. The Contractor ,may just want to get in and out without have the oversight by a Inspector/Code Official (and a Design Professional like an Architect or Engineer if required). In future, I have always recommended that the Owner just call Building Dept. and ask if a permit is required for "xyz". If you don't want to put your property on blast to them, just say you are looking at purchasing a property in the area and have seen several but wanted to gain insight into the permit process. All the best @Hamidou Keita 

Quote from @Mohammed Rahman:

Quote from @Jared W Smith:

Quote from @Mohammed Rahman:

Look for survey companies @Anna Cerda

 Not sure how a survey company would be helpful in her circumstance. 

Please read my first response where I was recommending to check out online nyc Zoning portal. Private surveyor may be able help with 2nd level questions and insights and will be a cheaper alternative firstly, before reaching out to an architect. 

Yes, I saw that and I provided the link to the NYC Zola in my post which is the best for that search. There are other ways but this is the easiest and most user friendly.  

Unfortunately from my experience, Land Surveyors have no expertise in Zoning issues and and land use actually defer to Architects and/or Zoning Attorneys for this information. I would not advise this route. (Their specialty is in technical and precise datum points and the legal land/plots on the earth's surface.)   

Quote from @Mohammed Rahman:

Hey — for the driveway, your best bet is to start with a zoning map and check the DOB zoning documents online. Sometimes you can get a zoning consultant to do a quick feasibility check for like $300-$500 instead of hiring an architect right away.

A zoning map will give the zoning district but that's about all in relation to a new driveway. You'd have to search the NYC Zoning Ordinances for specific information on off-street parking for the specific district the lot is located in.

Quote from @Anna Cerda:

Quote from @Mohammed Rahman:

Hey — for the driveway, your best bet is to start with a zoning map and check the DOB zoning documents online. Sometimes you can get a zoning consultant to do a quick feasibility check for like $300-$500 instead of hiring an architect right away.

 Where is the best place to get a zoning map and what do I look for.

It's a fully digitized system found here: https://zola.planning.nyc.gov/

You just have to type in your address. It populates various info for lot and district. However if you do not know what to look for or how to read the various sections and information, it may prove not as helpful as you'd like. It's a tool to gather information not to generate answers to the questions you posed. 

Quote from @Mohammed Rahman:

Look for survey companies @Anna Cerda

 Not sure how a survey company would be helpful in her circumstance. 

Hello @Anna Cerda

I run a local architecture firm that services NY including NYC. I am licensed in NY & CT. You have two things going on which each would need different services for. 

1. The CO doesn't typically mention parking unless it is directly within the structure itself such as a garage/garages (or for a parking structure). My question would be why are you trying to add this parking? Is this for tenants? It may be possible but weighs heavily on the zoning district and how the lot is laid out with the current building. 

2. Yes, the ADU Codes are set to take effect later this year. I have reviewed this code thoroughly and there are many parameters which must be adhered to for compliance. A review of adding an ADU vs completing a conversion is typically the best starting point to see if either is a better option.

Please feel free to reach out to me here or email me to talk more details. Thanks!   

Hello Joe, welcome. We work projects in the same areas. Nice to see another local on here. All the best in your endeavors.  

Hello Ryan, Welcome, from a fellow Westchester County resident. 

I work on projects in NYC and Westchester presently. All the best in your REI searches.

Quote from @Rhett Kelton:

My 2 cents.  Find a plan you like, then get an architect to modify as needed.  You are basically doing a lot of the leg work for them.

This is incorrect. It will be the same cost to modify an internet plan you found as though I came up with it from scratch. I have to assess the building codes and modify it anyway, which can be more time consuming than working from scratch. Despite what most think, this does not lessen the cost of architect/design services.