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Hi All,
I live in Woodmere (TOH), and was looking to finish the attic of my home. We have a finished basement. I know that zoning prohibits having "living space" in the attic (unless you meet a host of onerous requirements such as 2 egress, sprinklers, etc). I want to finish the attic for temperature-controlled storage and a home office, not for bedrooms. I wouldn't be putting a bathroom there. Anyone know about the process for getting it approved? I don't want to go through the expense of hiring an architect and then be told no by the town.
Thanks!
Many people just go ahead and do it.
It's normally not an issue unless you add baths or bump outs and such.
If your throwing up sheetrock and some flooring I would (and have ) just do it.
Many people just go ahead and do it.
It's normally not an issue unless you add baths or bump outs and such.
If your throwing up sheetrock and some flooring I would (and have ) just do it.
Thanks. I have considered that. I'm just concerned that when it comes time to sell my house I'm going to run into problems. Could a potential buyer be denied financing due to the presence of an illegally finished attic?
Thanks. I have considered that. I'm just concerned that when it comes time to sell my house I'm going to run into problems. Could a potential buyer be denied financing due to the presence of an illegally finished attic?
If it’s not true “living space” and not counted towards the square footage I don’t see how it would be an issue. Just keep it basic.
Yeah like I said, no harm in just closing it in.
You know for, "efficiency purposes" wink-wink.
The potential trouble starts with adding baths and stuff.
Think skylights will be an issue? I'd like to have them for ventilation and natural light. I'd only put them in on the side of my house not facing the street.
Yeah like I said, no harm in just closing it in.
You know for, "efficiency purposes" wink-wink.
Hm, I was always under the impression that the presence of heating is what determines if a finished off area is considered "living space". If we're talking just about tax assessment.
"Living space" is usually defined in building codes as "suitable for year-round living" which in our climate means having a permanently-installed heat source such as baseboard or ductwork. As opposed to a portable space heater which is just brought in temporarily into a "storage area" that happens to have flooring and sheetrock etc.
Hm, I was always under the impression that the presence of heating is what determines if a finished off area is considered "living space". If we're talking just about tax assessment.
"Living space" is usually defined in building codes as "suitable for year-round living" which in our climate means having a permanently-installed heat source such as baseboard or ductwork. As opposed to a portable space heater which is just brought in temporarily into a "storage area" that happens to have flooring and sheetrock etc.
I honestly don't know what criteria they'd use to classify it as "living space" and thus against code. I would have to put heating there (which would be easy because all the ductwork for the second floor is in the attic anyway... I'd just have to punch through the new drywall and add a couple short ducts). If I were to leave that space unheated it would be woefully inefficient as all cold air would rush down the stairs I'd be putting in as well and cool down the second floor.
Think skylights will be an issue? I'd like to have them for ventilation and natural light. I'd only put them in on the side of my house not facing the street.
Wouldn’t do it. Would be visible from outside (overhead) and potential for leaking.
Putting in some heating ducts is less of an issue and reversible.
I honestly don't know what criteria they'd use to classify it as "living space" and thus against code. I would have to put heating there (which would be easy because all the ductwork for the second floor is in the attic anyway... I'd just have to punch through the new drywall and add a couple short ducts). If I were to leave that space unheated it would be woefully inefficient as all cold air would rush down the stairs I'd be putting in as well and cool down the second floor.
Electrical/cable outlets (for home office use)?
AC?
(I am not expert but isn't there a possibility that if you install easy access via permanent stairs to the attic, finished walls, finished floors, skylight, electrical outlets/cable [home office needs] and heat/AC vents than you might be building something indistinguishable from a 'living space'?)
Last edited by Quick Commenter; 01-13-2019 at 11:59 AM..
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