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Hello, quick summary of my situation, my garage has pretty significant water damage to the right side which includes the right side roof, wall & awning/overhang that extends beyond the garage. Basically, the entire right side is being torn down & rebuilt, essentially a repair. However, since it is being repaired we've taken the opportunity to update it by extending the awning 1-2 feet further than what it was before & updating the electric in the garage.
We're also breaking up all of the old concrete in the driveway and backyard, pouring new concrete and adding pavers.
We're also looking to put a fence up soon and are somewhat concerned a fence inspector will show up and hit us with any and all violations they can muster up.
1) Does any of this work require a permit in the TONH? Seemingly it shouldn't since we are mostly repairing what existed. The ONLY exception is the 1-2 feet extension of the awning area.
2) Has anyone in the Town of North Hempstead had any experience with the town building inspectors, specifically for fences?
I was in your shoes albeit 10 years ago. That said it probably hasn't changed because it makes the town money. We applied for a fence permit in 2011. We had a legal addition with permit and SURVEY submitted for work we did in 98. That survey included an a/c unit that was there when we bought in 97. We updated the survey from when we bought the house to get the permit for the 98 addition and got the permit no questions asked.
Fast forward to '11 we submit a permit for a fence and get rejected due to the non permitted a/c. We took the house sale description and our '98 addition paperwork including the survey to them and they replied, "we were lucky, we got away with it the last time." It did not matter that we were not trying to get away with anything, rather were complying with what we were asked to.
Anyway, in order to get the fence permit we had to legalize an a/c unit that was no longer to code. It was both an expense with penalty and a process too, because it was a few inches over the side setback and we had to get a variance. Fortunately the neighbors were very happy with where it was, as it was on the side of their garage. If we moved it, we would have no choice other than to move it closer to living space for all.
Long story to say:
A) be sure the garage is permitted, before you start
B) You probably will need a permit for the electric update, depending upon what that means
B) given the installation of concrete you need a permit
C) I am not clear if it is just the awning that is extending 1 -2 feet or the concrete. If, the latter - you will need a permit. It used to be if pavers were set in sand, you did not need a permit.
Lastly, be aware that the idea that is it a "repair" equals "no need to obtain a permit" in the TNH, is false. I am not commenting on the "fairness or logic" of this, just answering your questions.
We decided in 2012 to retire and move and we never got the fence because it took us so long to get the a/c corrected and properly permitted that we decided to bag it.
WOW, definitely eye opening. Couple of follow up questions for some clarity:
1) Do they always send someone to inspect for a fence permit? Especially during busy season?
2) If so, do they inspect before installation? After? Both?
3) Did they make you bring the AC to code regardless of if you went forward with the fence or was it a trade off scenario? (i.e. If you want a fence, fix the AC.)
1). No, you file the permit and they will look at your survey, and grant you the permit if they don't see anything different than is on their records. For example if the former owner had a permit for the garage - you will be fine. If, they put the garage on without a permit, and your survey shows a garage you are screwed.
2) after the install is when they inspect and then based upon that grant the COC (Certificate of Completion)
3) No they will pursue you. We did it because we wanted the fence but once they have an "ILLEGAL" install, it is like waving red flags in front of a bull.
You need permit for fence, which requires a survey. and for the garage work described above, you need permit and permit for electrical. Dont worry too much on electrical bc master electricians does the inspections and signs off on it.
Tonh takes forever on permits!! 4-6 months!!! If you could get away with just fixing the garage, just do it. You're not changing height of garage or doing an extension.
You need permit for fence, which requires a survey. and for the garage work described above, you need permit and permit for electrical. Dont worry too much on electrical bc master electricians does the inspections and signs off on it.
Tonh takes forever on permits!! 4-6 months!!! If you could get away with just fixing the garage, just do it. You're not changing height of garage or doing an extension.
Unless things have changed in TNH, that is incorrect. The fire underwriter will inspect and then the town will too.
The garage is an existing permitted structure & all of our surveys match so shouldn't have any issues when applying for the fence. As for the garage repair I tend to agree with not getting a permit, the town drags their feet for 4-6 months and it tends to be one big money grab more than anything & the issues snowball from there. The original footprint of the garage isn't changing except for an extra foot or two on the awning. We have a competent contractor doing everything to code.
As for the pavers, the existing old concrete is being broken & we're pouring new concrete where the existing concrete was. The pavers will be set in sand over the new concrete. As far as I know this doesn't require a permit.
Then go ahead and get the fence done and then do the garage, just to be on the safe side.
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