basement studio laws

blujemz · Post by **blujemz** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:56 am

I live in a brownstone in Brooklyn and I would like to build a small project studio in the basement. Does anyone know where I kind find the City's laws concerning this type of venture?

AndrewMc · Post by **AndrewMc** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:12 pm

Typically you could go to the building code / zone enforcement office.

For construction you need a building permit

For a commercial situation then you need to ensure the area is zoned for a business. If it's a pure hobby then you will not need to check zoning.

Now, having said that - the other option is to build and don't tell anybody. Upside - a ton less hassle, downside - if you get caught then multiply the hassle you avoided by 10x and maybe have to tear it out.

If the area is not zoned for a business - then say its a hobby and then make sure you get paid in cash.

linus · Post by **linus** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 2:22 pm

Do you need a building permit to build an iso-booth? My gut feeling is no because it is basicly a big box. I'm not attaching it to the structure or altering the structure of the room. Right?

AndrewMc · Post by **AndrewMc** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:33 pm

I doubt you'd need a building permit to build an ISO booth. Chances are though if you went to the building permit place they would say you needed one because they wouldn't understand what an ISO booth is.