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

Town of Plattsburgh’s own rules

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  A homeowner applying for work at the homeowner's residence inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • The homeowner must live at the residence.
  • The property must not be commercial.
  • The homeowner may sign an affidavit affirming that the homeowner is doing the work.

  “If homeowner lives at residence and property is not commercial, the homeowner can sign an affidavit affirming they are doing the work themselves.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A building or structure erected, altered, or extended after the ordinance, and land whose use is changed, inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • The certificate cannot be granted for a use violating the ordinance; multiple-building projects require a certificate for each building.

  “No building, structure or portion thereof hereafter erected, altered or extended, and no land, the use of which is hereafter changed, shall be used until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the Town of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York.

  • The ordinance regulates land uses and development subject to its applicability and nonconforming-use provisions.

  “This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as “The Town of Plattsburgh Zoning Ordinance” of the Town of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational-vehicle occupancy in a residential district inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • The lot must contain a primary/principal structure.
  • No more than two recreational vehicles may be parked on the lot.
  • Occupancy is limited to two weeks in a calendar year.

  RV occupancy limit: 2 weeks per calendar year (Residential district)

  “In a residential district, a recreational vehicle may be parked on any lot on which a primary structure is present. No more than two recreational vehicles may be parked on a lot on which a principal structure is present. Occupancy of a recreational vehicle in a residential district is limited to 2 weeks in a calendar year.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes placed inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • A manufactured home may not be occupied without first obtaining a certificate of occupancy.
  • Manufactured-home parks use special-use-permit review and have separate construction and dimensional standards.

  “No manufactured home, wherever placed in the Town of Plattsburgh, will be occupied without first having obtained a certificate of occupancy.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • The subdivider or authorized agent must apply in writing before selling or offering subdivision lots for sale and before a structure permit is granted in the proposed subdivision.

  “Whenever any subdivision of land is proposed to be made and before any contract for the sale of or any offer to sell any lots in such subdivision or any part thereof is made and before any permit for the erection of a structure in such proposed subdivision shall be granted, the subdivider or his duly authorized agent shall apply, in writing, for approval of such proposed subdivision in accordance with the following procedures.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Codes and zoning permits inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • Starting a project without a permit incurs an additional charge of 50% of the application fee.
  • Unlisted permit work is charged at 1% of estimated project cost, with a $50 minimum.
  • Additional third-party professional costs may be charged at actual cost.

  one- and two-family dwelling fee: 0.25 USD per square foot · manufactured home fee: 0.2 USD per square foot (Minimum $100)

  “1 & 2 Family Dwelling 25¢ per sq. ft. Manufactured Home 20¢ per sq. ft., Minimum $100”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

  • Applications are dropped off at Codes and Zoning with the appropriate fee.
  • The stated normal review time is approximately one week for residential work and approximately one to one and one-half weeks for commercial or very large projects.
  • The Code Office contacts the applicant if more information is necessary or if the permit is denied.
  • Construction must commence within six months; permits are effective for 12 months.

  residential normal review time: approximately 1 week (less if possible) · commercial or very large normal review time: approximately 1 to 1½ weeks (less if possible)

  “Building Permits are effective from the date issued for a period of 12 months. Construction MUST commence within 6 months or permit will be VOIDED.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for construction inside the Town of Plattsburgh.
• Inspections — Building construction inside the Town of Plattsburgh.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside the Town of Plattsburgh.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside the Town of Plattsburgh.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside the Town of Plattsburgh.

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.