Dwelling – (Home, Place, Apartment)
A dwelling is a place where people live as their home. It’s any building or space designed for people to live and sleep in, usually with a bathroom and kitchen.
In NYC building code, the term “dwelling” appears in many violation notices and permit applications. A dwelling unit means one separate home inside a building – like one apartment in a multifamily house or one house in a row of townhomes.
What does NYC DOB say?
The NYC Building Code defines a dwelling as any building or part of a building used for people to live in. The code divides dwellings into categories:
- One- and two-family dwellings (your private house or duplex) –
- Multiple dwellings (buildings with 3 or more units, like apartment buildings) –
- Dwelling unit (one independent living space with kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area)
These categories matter because different rules apply to each type when you apply for permits or receive violations.
Where to find the official info?
You can find the official NYC dwelling definitions and requirements on the NYC Department of Buildings website. The Building Code explains dwelling types in Chapter 3 (Use and Occupancy Classification) and the Multiple Dwelling Law covers apartment buildings.
Official resource: [NYC DOB Alterations – Multiple Dwelling Unit Buildings](https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/dob/project-categories-alt-multi-dwelling.page)
Illegal conversion
If you illegally convert space into a dwelling unit without DOB approval, you can receive violations like:
27-2077 (Illegal conversion to SRO units) –
28-210.1 (Work without permit for dwelling alterations) –
BC 1008.1.1 (Illegal dwelling unit in cellar/basement)
Penalties range from $800 to $25,000 depending on the violation class and whether the illegal dwelling creates safety hazards.
If you see any capital letter abbreviations on this page or in an official letter you received from the city and you do not understand them, you can try to look them up on our Violation Codes page with the search tool.
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