Community Board 12 Can Assist Residents who are Getting Driveway Citations

By Yehudit Garmaise

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has been cracking down on illegal driveways, but Boro Park residents who, for decades, have owned homes that have driveways, do not need to fear because Community Board 12 can help if those homes are properly zoned for driveways, said District Manager Beri Spitzer at the board’s Tuesday night meeting.

Spitzer reported that Community Board 12 has been recently receiving many letters from the DOB, which was audited by former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer as part of an inquiry as to why the Buildings Department was not following up on the many complaints about driveways that New Yorkers phoned in to 311.

Many of the driveways that the DOB says are illegal may have not been properly entered into the DOB’s current system because the houses were bought 40 or 50 years ago, before DOB records went online, Spitzer explained. 

“The driveways that are part of houses that were bought decades ago were supposed to be ‘grandfathered in,’” meaning that the DOB was not supposed to issue citations for properties that pre-date the DOB’s current records system,” said Spitzer, who seeing an opportunity to help Boro Park residents, reached out to the DOB.

“As always, when we notice patterns: we look into it,” Spitzer said. “The DOB told us that properties that are zoned for driveways can get driveway permits, and we can help to expedite that process."

The DOB is still not working in person, however, by calling at (718) 851-0800, Community Board 12 is offering to take down residents' information and then try to get appointments with the Building Department to request time to fix driveways properly and/or establish homes' proper driveway zoning.

"The DOB advised that permits can be obtained through the proper channels, when properties are zoned for driveways," Spitzer said. "Our office can assist with specific information."