Google Map Photos Showed Violation Didn't Exist Before Landlord Bought Building

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord after inspection showed there were two large steel porches constructed on the first and second floors of the building and a large wooden deck added to the roof. Landlord claimed that the porches already existed when he bought the building in late 2013. His architect was in the process of filing for the required approvals of the porches. The ALJ ruled against landlord and fined him $800. Landlord appealed and lost. Landlord submitted insufficient proof that the porches predated his ownership of the building. He submitted no statements from neighbors or appraisal report that could support his claim. On the other hand, DOB submitted photographs from Google Maps in early 2013 and sales listings in mid-2013 that showed only one wooden porch and not the two steel front porches cited in the violation.  And it was undisputed that landlord added a "widow's perch" to the roof. 

Maselli: ECB App. No. 1401130 (1/29/15) [3-pg. doc.]