We own a top-floor apartment in Brooklyn with roof access. A family has moved in to the rental unit next door (it's an 8-unit building) and added wire fencing to the existing metal railing, which is 4 ft high. The wire fencing extends a couple feet over the existing railing. It's ugly of course, but they refuse to cut the wire to the height of the railing, citing safety concerns over their young child and dog. The wire fencing also covers the entrance to a fire escape, although only this apartment unit has access to this fire escape.
Blocking the fire escape seems like an obvious code violation, but does the fencing itself require a permit?
albert cohen
Apr 21, 18 8:39 pm
I should clarify that the family lives in a separate building from ours.
randomised
Apr 22, 18 7:36 am
It's a rental so maybe let the owner know about it?
albert cohen
Apr 22, 18 10:07 am
yes, that may be necessary - but it'd be good to know what's legal/permissible. but thank you.
Wilma Buttfit
Apr 22, 18 10:34 am
You can look up what requires a building permit in your municipal code.
cattle wire is what they put up. when you had a good view for a few years and then that gets put up, it's pretty frustrating. but i guess we'll have to just deal with it.
Oh, I see you are upset with your neighbors, shame on you! It is Sunday, turn the other cheek bro.
albert cohen
Apr 22, 18 12:56 pm
we will try!
randomised
Apr 22, 18 1:55 pm
Don't turn the other cheek when they are being jerks and put up some ugly ass fence that ruins your view and blocks an emergency escape. Only problem is if the new height of their fence is totally legal and they decide to use something denser just to get back at you.
albert cohen
Apr 22, 18 7:34 pm
That's exactly what I was thinking!
Non Sequitur
Apr 22, 18 8:39 pm
I don't think barbed wire fencing is allowed in my zoning regulations.
albert cohen
Apr 23, 18 11:14 am
Yes, it's probably not allowed here either.
Flatfish
Apr 22, 18 11:06 pm
Roof screens need permits. Besides the blocked fire escape, there are issues related to snow load (fencing allows higher drifts to accumulate, increasing snow load) and to proper attachment and anchorage. But if you set the code enforcers on your neighbor, make sure they can't turn around and do the same to you. The vast majority of apartments in NYC with "roof access" aren't properly designed or permitted for that. You may get their fence taken away only to have your ability to use your own roof taken away.
We own a top-floor apartment in Brooklyn with roof access. A family has moved in to the rental unit next door (it's an 8-unit building) and added wire fencing to the existing metal railing, which is 4 ft high. The wire fencing extends a couple feet over the existing railing. It's ugly of course, but they refuse to cut the wire to the height of the railing, citing safety concerns over their young child and dog. The wire fencing also covers the entrance to a fire escape, although only this apartment unit has access to this fire escape.
Blocking the fire escape seems like an obvious code violation, but does the fencing itself require a permit?
I should clarify that the family lives in a separate building from ours.
It's a rental so maybe let the owner know about it?
yes, that may be necessary - but it'd be good to know what's legal/permissible. but thank you.
You can look up what requires a building permit in your municipal code.
thanks!
Cattle wire seems an easy fix.
cattle wire is what they put up. when you had a good view for a few years and then that gets put up, it's pretty frustrating. but i guess we'll have to just deal with it.
Oh, I see you are upset with your neighbors, shame on you! It is Sunday, turn the other cheek bro.
we will try!
Don't turn the other cheek when they are being jerks and put up some ugly ass fence that ruins your view and blocks an emergency escape. Only problem is if the new height of their fence is totally legal and they decide to use something denser just to get back at you.
That's exactly what I was thinking!
I don't think barbed wire fencing is allowed in my zoning regulations.
Yes, it's probably not allowed here either.
Roof screens need permits. Besides the blocked fire escape, there are issues related to snow load (fencing allows higher drifts to accumulate, increasing snow load) and to proper attachment and anchorage. But if you set the code enforcers on your neighbor, make sure they can't turn around and do the same to you. The vast majority of apartments in NYC with "roof access" aren't properly designed or permitted for that. You may get their fence taken away only to have your ability to use your own roof taken away.
That's very smart and informative. Thank you!