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

Town of Machias’s own rules

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  An owner performing work under a Town of Machias building permit.

  • The owner must either purchase a workers' compensation policy or provide a CE-200 waiver.

  “lf you plan on doing the work as the owner, NYS requires you to either purchase a workers compensation policy or provide a CE-200 waiver (Available on NYS workers compensation Board website)”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction regulated by Town of Machias code enforcement.

  • The town page says electrical inspections use the 2023 National Electric Code.

  “utilizing the 2025 NYS Uniform Building Code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted one- and two-family dwellings, including additions and alterations, inside Machias town.

  • The permit applicant must request and schedule inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The published list includes site, footing, foundation, water-line, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, framing, roofing, insulation, and final inspections as applicable.

  inspection scheduling notice: >= 24 hours

  “Required Construction Inspections for 1&2FamilyDwellings”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy of a one- or two-family dwelling subject to the Town of Machias inspection checklist.

  • Temporary certificates of occupancy may be available when conditions permit.
  • A final inspection is listed for certificate of occupancy/completion.

  “Occupancy of a dwelling without a certificate of occupancy is unlawful.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town of Machias building-permit applications.

  • Applications are made in person during Tuesday office hours or by appointment.
  • The application may require detailed review and may not be issued on the spot.

  “There is no online application. Permit applications are done in person”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Machias

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private septic systems for new homes or bedroom additions inside Machias town.

  • The town requires an approved application from the Cattaraugus County Health Department for new homes or additions of bedrooms to existing homes.

  “Approved application for private septic system from Catt. Co. Health department”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  New one- and two-family dwellings seeking a Town of Machias certificate of occupancy.

  • The Town certificate-of-occupancy checklist requires a letter from the Cattaraugus County Health Department showing the system passed final inspection.

  “Letter from catt. co. Health Department pass final inspection”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Machias town.
• Septic permit — Private onsite wastewater systems inside Machias town.
• Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation inside Machias town.
• Well permit — Private wells inside Machias town.
• Mandatory utility hookup — New homes inside Machias 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.