Safe Room/Gun Storage Legality

[Dorryn]

Ive read several threads on THR talking about peoples' various safes, gun rooms, etc. Ive seen some nice architectural plans and lots of nice pictures that you all have posted over the last several months.

But here's my question: Here in NY, and possible in many other states as well, any construction that takes place on your own property must be inspected, and the proposed plans be kept on file with with your local town or village. So, any safe room you might construct to guard/safehouse your firearm collection and ammo stockpile is a matter of public record. Now, your average criminal would probably not take the time to read up on the plans. However, and the greater (long-term) concern is that the government might have access to them, and thus full knowledge of one's precautions. Do any of you file these plans? Do you modify them "after-the-fact"?

Given that the 2nd Amendment was certainly written from a perspective with an eye towards defending oneself against an aggressive intrusive government, and a possible disarmament, the fact that any precaution I might take is publically available makes me nervous. I have always complied with the law... but this is an area i would be tempted to deviate.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

NY state (except the Big Apple) has recently adopted the International Codes Council "family" of building codes. Dunno if NY State has anything different on the books, but in my state (also an ICC state) and many others using the ICC codes, private residences are specifically exempt from the record-keeping requirement. Construction is inspected, but once the final inspection has been made the plans are returned to the home owner or, if the owner doesn't want them, they are destroyed. Precisely because they are public records, and folks understandably don't want bad guys to be scoping out the layout of their homes.

It is a violation of the law to construct anything without a building permit and the requisite inspections. But no building department has the manpower to drive around town, actively seeking out evildoers who are building a storage closet in the basement without a permit. You can be fined if caught, but usually this doesn't happen. The biggest potential liability is if someone is injured, and an insurance investigation discloses that the basement was finished off without any permit or inspections. At that point, many insurance companies would bid you "Sayonara."

 

[stevemis]

Also remember... un-permitted work that is discovered during a home inspection (when you sell) is going to be trouble. If you go the clandestine route, make sure anything you do can be un-done at a later date.

Steve

 

[snorko]

How about stating in the paperwork Intended Use - "wine cellar"?

 

[loumarch]

The ICC codes allow homeowners to perform non-structural interior modifications without blueprints. A simple scale drawing is sufficient. There is absolutely no requirement to disclose the purpose of the space as it is considered living space.

You need only to obtain a rough-in inspection for interior spaces with no utilities in them. If you are going to have electric this inspection would be performed by a private underwriter. As far as the local inspectors are concerned it is just a closet.