Bolthole Index

Chautauqua County, New York

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

Town of French Creek is a town in Chautauqua County, New York. Town of French Creek has not adopted its own zoning; the county’s or state’s rules apply inside its limits. Septic permits inside Town of French Creek come from Chautauqua County (Chautauqua County Health Department (Environmental Health Division) · 716-753-4312). 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Chautauqua County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of French Creek

Town of French Creek’s own rules

  • Local zoningAbsent (with conditions)

    Land inside French Creek town limits (Town of French Creek, Chautauqua County, NY): the town has no adopted zoning law or ordinance per the county statement. Does not apply to the Towns of Ellington or Sherman, or to the Village of Findley Lake or any other incorporated place.

    • The only source is a Chautauqua County SEQR form dated April 20, 2022; it was not re-confirmed against a 2026 town or county statement.
    • The statement is an exception list naming French Creek among towns without zoning; it is treated as the official no-zoning statement for this town.
    • County health (OWTS) rules, state law and any other non-zoning town rules still apply to land inside the town.
    • Confirm current status with the Town Clerk (716-355-8871) or the Town Board, which meets the 2nd Monday at the town building, 10106 Ravlin Hill Road, Clymer NY 14724.
    “have zoning laws and/or ordinances except the Towns of Ellington, French Creek and Sherman.”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone (with conditions)

    Zoning lot-size minimum inside French Creek town: no town zoning minimum because the town has no zoning

    • Based on the county's statement that the town has no zoning law.
    • A separate county health lot-size rule applies to septic-served lots; see the septic lot claim.
    “except the Towns of Ellington, French Creek and Sherman.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of French Creek

Town of French Creek 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)

    Onsite wastewater treatment systems (septic) for homes inside French Creek town, administered by the Chautauqua County Health Department (Environmental Health Division) under the Sanitary Code of the Chautauqua County District. The town does not appear to administer septic.

    • The packet is the county's own application form; the town's role in septic was not found.
    • Applies to land inside the town because the county district covers all of Chautauqua County.
    “onsite wastewater treatment system (owts) permit application chautauqua county health department”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New onsite wastewater treatment system (septic) serving a home inside French Creek town; permit issued by the Chautauqua County Health Department

    • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.
    • Sanitary code specifies one OWTS may be installed for one dwelling on a single parcel.
    • Permits are valid for one year once issued.
    • County design review: a CCHD representative must meet the contractor or designer on site before the permit is issued.

    OWTS permit validity: 1 year

    “OWTS construction must not occur before a permit is issued”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits for new residential construction inside French Creek town
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for building inside French Creek town
  • Building code adopted — Building code adoption and enforcement inside French Creek town
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside French Creek town
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside French Creek town
11 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of French Creek publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Chautauqua County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of French Creek means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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