Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Coldspring, New York

Town of Coldspring’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building-code administration and enforcement inside the Town of Coldspring.

  • The source identifies the code as local and identifies Code Enforcement/Town Board as responsible.
  • The table identifies 2011, but does not state an effective date.

  “Building Code Yes 2011 Local Code Enforcement/ Town Board Yes No”

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside the Town of Coldspring, Cattaraugus County, New York.

  • The official county hazard-mitigation-plan table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Minimum dwelling sizeNone

  Minimum dwelling size imposed by town zoning inside Coldspring town.

  • This is limited to zoning; state building-code requirements remain applicable.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Minimum lot sizeNone

  Minimum lot size imposed by town zoning inside Coldspring town.

  • This is limited to zoning; septic and other state requirements may constrain development.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• SetbacksNone

  Zoning setbacks inside Coldspring town.

  • This is limited to zoning; building-code site-plan and other applicable requirements may remain.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Lot coverageNone

  Zoning lot-coverage limits inside Coldspring town.

  • This is limited to zoning; other development rules may apply.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Building heightNone

  Zoning building-height limits inside Coldspring town.

  • This is limited to zoning; state building-code limits may apply.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Living in an RVUnrestricted

  RV occupancy as a zoning-regulated use inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town zoning code only and does not remove applicable building, health, wastewater, or other state rules.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Camping on your landUnrestricted

  Temporary camping as a zoning-regulated use inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town zoning code only and does not remove applicable health, wastewater, or other state rules.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Tiny homesUnrestricted

  Tiny-home occupancy as a zoning-regulated use inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town zoning code only and does not remove applicable Uniform Code, permit, health, wastewater, or other state rules.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Manufactured homesUnrestricted

  Manufactured-home occupancy as a zoning-regulated use inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town zoning code only and does not remove state manufactured-home installation, building-permit, inspection, certificate, health, or wastewater requirements.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Accessory dwellingsUnrestricted

  Accessory dwelling use as a zoning-regulated use inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town zoning code only and does not remove applicable building, health, wastewater, or other state rules.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  “Zoning Code No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Subdividing landNot regulated

  Town subdivision regulation inside Coldspring town.

  • This addresses the town subdivision regulation reported in the official December 2020 table; county health engineering-plan review and state law may still apply.

  “Subdivisions No - - - No - - Comment: None”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Residential and non-residential construction in the special flood hazard area inside Coldspring town.

  • The source reports a BFE plus two feet standard for all construction in the SFHA.
  • The official table identifies Local Law No. 2-1992 and the CEO as responsible.
  • The official table is dated December 2020.

  flood elevation standard: BFE+2 feet (For all residential and non-residential construction in the SFHA.)

  “Flood Damage Prevention Yes Local Law #2-1992 Local/State CEO Yes - BFE+2 feet for all construction in the SFHA (residential and non-residential)”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Coldspring

Town of Coldspring does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  Work inside Coldspring town that must conform to the New York Uniform Code or Energy Code, administered locally under the town's code-enforcement program.

  • An authority may expressly exempt listed categories of work in its code-enforcement program.
  • A permit exemption does not authorize work that violates either Code.

  “Each authority having jurisdiction shall include in its code enforcement program provisions requiring building permits to be required for work that must conform to either or both of the Codes.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Code-covered construction inside Coldspring town under the locally administered Uniform Code program.

  • Remote inspection may be used only when it can be performed to the same level and quality as an in-person inspection and satisfies the authority having jurisdiction.
  • If remote inspection is insufficient, an in-person inspection is required.

  “Each authority having jurisdiction shall include in its code enforcement program provisions requiring the authority having jurisdiction, or an individual or entity contracted by the authority having jurisdiction and satisfying the requirements set forth in section 1203.2 (e)(2), to perform construction inspections required by the Codes including those listed in this paragraph, either in-person or remotely.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Work inside Coldspring town subject to a building permit, and changes in use or occupancy classification.

  • Except for the temporary-certificate provision in 19 NYCRR 1203.3(d)(4), use or occupancy is granted only by a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.

  “The code enforcement program shall provide that, except as provided in section 1203.3 (d)(4), permission to use or occupy a building or structure, or portion thereof, for which a building permit was previously issued, or which has been converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another, shall be granted only by issuance of a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Coldspring town, which is within Cattaraugus County.

  • Systems are regulated according to New York State standards and specifications in effect when constructed.
  • Existing systems not meeting current standards may operate until failure requiring full or partial replacement.

  “Onsite wastewater treatment systems in Cattaraugus County are regulated by the Environmental Health Division in accordance with NYS standards and specifications (10NYCRR Appendix 75-A: Wastewater Treatment Standards - Residential Onsite Systems) in effect at the time of their construction.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Onsite wastewater repairs or installations inside Coldspring town, within Cattaraugus County.

  • Commercial and other large systems with design flow of 1,000 gallons per day or greater also require an SPDES permit from NYSDEC and a licensed professional engineer.
  • Permit is required before construction.

  large-system design flow: >= 1000 gallons per day (Commercial systems and other large wastewater treatment systems also require an NYSDEC SPDES permit and licensed professional engineer.)

  “All onsite wastewater treatment system repairs or installations in Cattaraugus County require a permit issued by the Environmental Health Division prior to construction.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New or replacement onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Coldspring town.

  • The inspector conducts a site investigation before design and permit issuance.
  • After construction, inspection occurs before the system is covered; a permit to operate is issued if construction is satisfactory.

  “Once the system is constructed, the inspector will visit the site again to inspect the work before it is covered. If the construction is satisfactory, a "Permit to Operate an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System" will be issued.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Onsite wastewater disposal inside Coldspring town.

  • A permit issued by the Environmental Health Division is required before onsite wastewater repair or installation construction.
  • Large systems with design flow of 1,000 gallons per day or greater have additional NYSDEC SPDES and professional-engineer requirements.

  “All onsite wastewater treatment system repairs or installations in Cattaraugus County require a permit issued by the Environmental Health Division prior to construction.”

• Well permitNot required

  Private-use well installation inside Coldspring town, within Cattaraugus County.

  • New residential water sources are included in the residence's building permit.
  • If a compliant well cannot be constructed, a Health Department waiver must be provided to the local Code Enforcement Officer.

  “However, you do NOT currently need a permit from the health department to install a well for private use. New residential water sources are part of your residence and are included in your building permit.”

• Permit processPartial

  Uniform Code building-permit applications for code-covered work inside Coldspring town.

  • The authority may require additional information and documentation necessary to determine conformity with the Codes.
  • The town's own current form, submission channel, fee, and local exceptions were not located.

  “Each authority having jurisdiction shall include in its code enforcement program provisions requiring an application for a building permit, or an amendment thereto, to include information sufficient to enable the authority having jurisdiction to determine that the intended work accords with the requirements of the Codes.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Coldspring or Cattaraugus County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Coldspring town.
• Mandatory utility hookup — New homes inside Coldspring town where public water or sewer may be available.
• Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from local construction or land-use rules inside Coldspring town.
• Driveway access — Driveway access for property inside Coldspring town.
• Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals inside Coldspring town.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.