Building Permits

• Erect, construct, enlarge, alter, remove, improve, demolish, or convert a building or structure. This includes, but not limited to, an attached or detached accessory building such as a garage, carport, breezeway, a storage shed, a porch, deck or enclosing an existing porch.
• Convert or change the nature of the use or occupancy of a building or part of a building. This includes establishing a home occupation within a dwelling.
• Install, relocate, or remove interior partitions or walls.
• Repair fire damage.
• Demolish any building (including a garage).
• Install a masonry chimney or metal smokestack.
• Install any business sign.
• Construct or replace a deck.
• Install any permanent swimming pool (in-ground or above-ground over twenty-four (24) inches in depth. A permanent pool is one which is substantially affixed into or onto the ground, or not easily dismantled for storage or movement to another site.
• Install a heating unit, gas furnace, oil heater, incinerator, a wood burning stove or fireplace.
• Change the occupancy (tenant) in any commercial use.

• Make ordinary repairs which replace existing materials with new materials of a similar kind. For example: repairing stair treads or railings, making a minor roof repair, or a minor repair to a chimney or foundation wall.
• Install or repair gutters and downspouts.
• Install siding on a single family dwelling.
• Replacing windows when no structural work is required.
• Install or replace a sidewalk on private property.
• Re-shingle a roof, unless you are also replacing rafters or sheathing.

The Building Department is trying to make the review and approval process as brief and convenient as possible. Please do your part by having adequate information when applying for the permit. If you need further information or assistance call the Department at (845) 639-2100.

• Make ordinary repairs which replace existing materials with new materials of a similar kind. For example: repairing stair treads or railings, making a minor roof repair, or a minor repair to a chimney or foundation wall.
• Install or repair gutters and downspouts.
• Install siding on a single family dwelling.
• Replacing windows when no structural work is required.
• Install or replace a sidewalk on private property.
• Re-shingle a roof, unless you are also replacing rafters or sheathing.

The Building Department is trying to make the review and approval process as brief and convenient as possible. Please do your part by having adequate information when applying for the permit. If you need further information or assistance call the Department at (845) 639-2100.

Permit Application and Approval Checklist:
Zoning Review: Submit three copies of a plot plan drawn to scale.  The plot plan should show:

• The size and shape of the lot.
• The location of all structures on the lot.
• The proposed construction or addition.
• Distances (setbacks) from the proposed construction to the lot lines and any other structures.
• Sanitary and storm sewer provisions.

The Building Department staff will review your plans and assist you in meeting the requirements described on the Building Permit application.
Plan Review: Two sets of construction drawings, drawn to scale, are required to review conformance with the New York State Building Construction Code.
Plumbing Work: If there is plumbing work involved, the building permit will generally cover this work.
Electrical Work: If there is any electrical work involved, the building permit will generally cover such work. Any application for inspection and approval must be made to an approved third party electrical inspection agency. (see section on electrical work).

Our Guarantee to You is:
We will give you prompt and courteous service while routing your permit through the permitting process.

Electrical work performed in the town is inspected by an approved third party electrical inspection agency (see below) and a certificate of approval is issued by them. For more information, call (845) 639-2100. A building permit for electrical work is not required for:

• Replacement of defective devices with directly interchangeable types, for example, fuses, lamps, switches (when enclosing boxes are not disturbed), wall outlets, sockets, ballasts, relays, timers, and similar devices that do not disturb the fixed wiring system.
• Electrical work that contains less than 25 volts for its operation: doorbell circuits, for example. A permit is required for the installation of any other wiring and/or electrical devices not mentioned above, and will require an Application for Inspection to an approved third party electrical inspection agency.  (see below)

A permit is required to:

• Install a new plumbing fixture (sink, bathtub, shower, water closet, water heater, laundry tray, garbage disposal, etc.)
• Install a water supply line, storm or sanitary drainage line or vent line.

A permit is not required to:

• Replace existing plumbing fixtures, though certain items, like furnaces, may need a permit. Check with the Building Department before proceeding.
• Replace a rubber or fiber washer in an existing faucet.
• Do mechanical de-rooting of a sanitary drainage system to remove a blockage.