Finished Basement in Brookhaven (New York, York: house, calculated, taxes)

[flowergarden]

Does any one know what constitutes a finished basement in Brookhaven? We were thinking of putting a rug down and putting up a drop ceiling in the currently unfinished basement. We will just paint the cinder block so it's somewhat nice looking. We plan to have part of the basement set up as a "play room". The usual ping-pong table, fooseball table, a couch and TV for playstation - that kind of thing. However, we don't want it to be considered "finished" as our taxes are already outrageous! I looked on the Brookhaven website, but no luck. Any one know?

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by flowergarden

Does any one know what constitutes a finished basement in Brookhaven? We were thinking of putting a rug down and putting up a drop ceiling in the currently unfinished basement. We will just paint the cinder block so it's somewhat nice looking. We plan to have part of the basement set up as a "play room". The usual ping-pong table, fooseball table, a couch and TV for playstation - that kind of thing. However, we don't want it to be considered "finished" as our taxes are already outrageous! I looked on the Brookhaven website, but no luck. Any one know?

Im pretty sure living space is counted as heated area.

Best

crookhaven

[flowergarden]

Thanks! I was thinking of putting in a free standing electric heating stove. I don't think it is a permenant feature. Would that kick me into the "finished basement" category?

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by flowergarden

Thanks! I was thinking of putting in a free standing electric heating stove. I don't think it is a permenant feature. Would that kick me into the "finished basement" category?

I seriously doubt it

Rememeber what Brookhaven dont know wont kill you.


crookhaven

[Kbinspections]

Town would say its livable space.......even with just the rug and ceiling but you could just reverse it if caught. Just do not make it a bedroom without a outside basement entry.

[flowergarden]

Thanks for the information. I think we have decided to epoxy paint the floor and paint the walls and put down some large rugs that can be rolled up. Then we will put up the ceiling after we live with it for a bit. We are not planning to put in bedrooms or even dry wall. We don't really need more finished living space as much as we need another place for our kids to hang out with friends. There are two exits from the basement, one to the house and the other to the garage.

[Kbinspections]

IS the foundation cement block?

[flowergarden]

The floor is concrete the walls are cement block. We will use a paint that is made to seal the walls, although there is no evidence of water in the basement.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by flowergarden

Does any one know what constitutes a finished basement in Brookhaven? We were thinking of putting a rug down and putting up a drop ceiling in the currently unfinished basement. We will just paint the cinder block so it's somewhat nice looking. We plan to have part of the basement set up as a "play room". The usual ping-pong table, fooseball table, a couch and TV for playstation - that kind of thing. However, we don't want it to be considered "finished" as our taxes are already outrageous! I looked on the Brookhaven website, but no luck. Any one know?

Brookhaven Code:
§ 82-7. Required space for occupancy.
No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A.Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor area per occupant, the floor areas to be calculated on the basis of total usable floor area of habitable rooms. B.There shall be no more than four persons per bedroom. C.At least 50% percent of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least 7 1/2 feet. The floor area of the part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered in computing the usable floor area of the room for the purpose of determining maximum permissible occupancy thereof. D.No cellar, kitchen or bathroom space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit or to calculate the minimum total usable floor area. E.No basement space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless, in addition to the other provisions of this chapter and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: (1)The floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and insulated dampness; and (2)The minimum aggregate glass area of windows as required by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code is located entirely above the grade of the grade adjoining such window area. (3)It complies in all respects with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.




E-2 -- your basement windows would need to meet minimum egress.

If you add the drop ceiling and heat, it's livable space and would require a permit.

[flowergarden]

But define heat. I'm thinking of one of those plug in heaters, not having our heating system upgraded to heat a finished basement. For the most part, I want it to be comfortable (but not TOO comfortable for mixed teenage get togethers!). To be honest, I'm upgrading with paint - that's about it. If we can't add a drop ceiling, then no big deal.