Bolthole Index

Madison County, New York

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Cazenovia, New York

The Village of Cazenovia in Madison County requires a building permit for work governed by the state building or energy code, subject to listed exemptions.1 Village zoning also controls land use and dimensional standards by district.2 Public-sewer connection is required when the sewer lies within 100 feet of the property line and the owner receives official notice; Madison County Public Health is the contact for individual-system guidance and alternative onsite wastewater review.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required for code-regulated work, with listed exemptions1
Zoning
Village zoning applies by district and overlay2
Sewer
Connection is required when the distance and notice conditions apply3
Septic
Private disposal is restricted; ask Madison County Public Health about any onsite-system proposal54
RV living
No specific residential-occupancy rule confirmed; ask the Village before relying on an RV2
Tiny home
No separate approval path confirmed; district dwelling-size and building rules apply678
Final approval
A certificate of occupancy or compliance is required for permitted work9

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Cazenovia Office

Village contact point for building-permit, zoning and Planning Board questions inside the Village of Cazenovia

(315)-655-3041

[email protected]

90 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035

Septic permits

Madison County Public Health — Water & Septic (Individual Systems)

Individual water and septic guidance, observation of percolation and deep-hole tests, and review of alternative onsite wastewater designs

315-366-2361

[email protected]

138 N Court Street - Building 5, Wampsville, NY 13163

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Cazenovia, New York?

Yes. Inside the Village of Cazenovia, a building permit is required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation and demolition.1 A listed exemption covers qualifying one-story detached sheds, playhouses and similar accessory structures with less than 144 square feet of gross floor area; other exemptions also exist, so confirm the complete list before starting.1

The Village administers and enforces the state Uniform Code and Energy Code.10 Permitted work must remain accessible and exposed until it is inspected and accepted.11 After permitted work, the Village requires a certificate of occupancy or compliance; the same requirement applies when a structure or portion changes occupancy classification.12

Who issues building permits in Cazenovia, and how do you apply?

The Village Code Enforcement Officer receives and decides building-permit applications inside the Village of Cazenovia.13 Start with the Village office at 90 Albany Street, call (315)-655-3041 or email [email protected] for the current form and Code Enforcement contact.14

A building-permit application must be written on an approved or acceptable form and signed by the owner or an authorized agent; the Code Enforcement Officer reviews the proposed work for Uniform Code and Energy Code compliance.15 For a permitted or special use, a complete application is filed with the Village Clerk and referred by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to the Planning Board, and it must arrive at least 7 days before a regular meeting to be placed on the agenda.16 Village building-code fees are set by Board of Trustees resolution, but the current amount was not confirmed.17

Does Cazenovia have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and tiny homes?

The Village of Cazenovia has its own zoning code, and every lot is assigned to a zoning district; overlay rules also apply where mapped.2 Residential minimum lot area varies sharply by district: R-30 requires 30,000 square feet, R-20 requires 20,000, R-10 requires 10,000 and R-6 requires 6,000.18192021

A tiny home does not have a separately confirmed approval path. District dwelling standards matter: in R-10, the minimum ground-floor area is 1,100 square feet for a one-story house, 1,000 for a one-and-one-half-story house and 750 for a two-story house.6 R-20 and R-30 use larger district-specific minimums.78 Ask the Village to confirm the parcel's mapped district, overlays, permitted use and every dimensional standard before selecting a house plan.2

How do sewer and septic rules work inside Cazenovia?

A property used for human occupancy, employment or recreation must connect to the Village public sanitary sewer at the owner's expense within 90 days after official notice when that sewer is installed within 100 feet of the property line.3 New housing or building development must provide an approved sanitary-sewer system, and a written sewer permit is required before connecting to, using, altering or disturbing a public sewer.22

The Village generally prohibits constructing a privy, septic tank, cesspool or other private waste-disposal facility, subject to provisions elsewhere in the code.5 Madison County Public Health reviews alternative onsite wastewater designs and construction, advises on placement, and observes percolation and deep-hole tests.4 The reviewed sources do not establish the complete approval path for every onsite proposal inside Village limits, so call Madison County Public Health and the Village before assuming septic is available.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cazenovia?

We could not confirm a Village of Cazenovia rule that generally allows residential RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land. Ask the Village office about the exact parcel, zoning district and intended duration before using an RV as housing. Village zoning applies to every lot by district and may also include an overlay.2

A tiny house intended as a dwelling must be evaluated under the ordinary building and zoning framework because no separate tiny-home category was confirmed. Cazenovia requires building permits for code-regulated work.23 The residential districts also use different minimum dwelling sizes; for example, the R-30 district sets minimum ground-floor areas of 1,500 square feet for a one-story building, 1,250 for a one-and-one-half-story building and 900 for a two-story building.8 Confirm classification, district use, utilities and dimensions with the Village before buying a unit.

Building a home in Cazenovia: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Village to verify the parcel's zoning district, overlays, allowed use, lot requirements and required Planning Board review.2
  2. Resolve sewer service before fixing the site plan; qualifying properties must connect after official notice, while new development must provide an approved sanitary-sewer system.322
  3. File the signed building-permit application and required drawings with the Village Clerk in time for any Planning Board agenda deadline.1516
  4. Do not begin code-regulated construction until the Village issues the building permit.23
  5. Keep the work accessible and exposed and schedule each required construction inspection.11
  6. Complete the final inspection and obtain the required certificate of occupancy or compliance before treating the project as finished.12

What should you check before buying land in Cazenovia?

Confirm first that the parcel is inside the Village rather than elsewhere in the Town of Cazenovia, because this guide describes Village rules. Then obtain the zoning map designation and check every applicable district and overlay standard.2 In R-30, for example, a principal building generally needs 50-foot front and rear yards and combined side yards of 50 feet, with either side at least 20 feet; the front-yard averaging exception can change the result near existing dwellings.24

Verify sewer location and any outstanding connection notice before relying on an onsite wastewater plan.3 If an onsite system may be relevant, Madison County Public Health can discuss placement and soil tests, but the exact Village approval sequence remains unconfirmed.4 Also ask the Village about floodplain review, driveway access and private wells because complete parcel-specific rules for those topics were not confirmed.

Watch-outs

  • Cazenovia's residential lot, yard and dwelling-size requirements vary by zoning district; do not apply an R-30 standard to an R-20, R-10 or R-6 parcel.218192021
  • A building-permit exemption does not settle zoning, sewer or occupancy approval; ask the Village which approvals remain for the proposed work.122
  • Current Village building-permit fees, residential RV occupancy, private-well requirements and the complete floodplain process were not confirmed; ask the Village office before committing to a project.14

Sources

  1. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  3. Article II: Use of Public Sewers Required - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  4. Water & Septic - Individual Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Article II: Use of Public Sewers Required - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 71 Building Code Administration (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  14. Village of Cazenovia Office (villageofcazenoviany.gov)
  15. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article VI Administration and Enforcement (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 71: Building Code Administration - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  18. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  19. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  20. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  21. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  22. Article IV: New Sewers or Sewer Extensions (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  23. Chapter 71 Building Code Administration (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked
  24. Article III: Zoning Map and District Regulations - Village of Cazenovia, NY (Village of Cazenovia), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Cazenovia

Village of Cazenovia’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside the Village that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code.

    • The listed exemptions in § 71-4(B) apply.
    • parameters are not a substitute for the other exemptions in § 71-4(B).

    exempt detached accessory structure gross floor area: < 144 square feet (Tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar one-story detached structures associated with specified dwellings.)

    “Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Work inside the Village that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code.
      “Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.”
    • Required — Work inside the Village that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, or demolition of buildings or structures.
      “Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings, structures, and premises inside the Village of Cazenovia.

    • Chapter 71 administers and enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and State Energy Conservation Construction Code.
    • Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, other state law, or another section of Chapter 71, all buildings, structures, and premises are subject to the chapter.
    “This chapter provides for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the Energy Code) in the Village of Cazenovia. This chapter is adopted pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings, structures, and premises inside the Village of Cazenovia.
      “This chapter provides for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the Energy Code) in the Village of Cazenovia.”
    • Adopted — All buildings, structures, and premises inside the Village of Cazenovia.
      “This chapter provides for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the Energy Code) in the Village of Cazenovia.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction work inside Cazenovia village subject to a building permit.

    • Applicable inspection stages include the work site before permit issuance, footing and foundation, concrete slab preparation, framing, building systems, fire-resistant construction, fire-resistant penetrations, solid-fuel appliances/chimneys/flues/gas vents, Energy Code compliance, and final inspection.
    • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    “Work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer or by an inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Any work inside Cazenovia village that is the subject of a building permit, and structures or portions converted to another use or occupancy classification.

    • The Code Enforcement Officer or authorized inspector must inspect before issuance.
    • Where applicable, structural-observation or special-inspection reports and flood-hazard certifications must be provided at the applicant's expense.
    • A temporary certificate may allow temporary occupancy before completion if safety, fire protection, and means of egress conditions are met.
    “A certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance shall be required for any work which is the subject of a building permit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Buildings or structures inside the Village after permitted work is completed.
      “Certificates of occupancy/certificates of compliance required. A certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance shall be required for any work which is the subject of a building permit and for all structures, buildings, or portions thereof which are converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside the Village of Cazenovia limits.

    • Village Chapter 180 is the Village zoning code.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cazenovia 8-1-2011 by L.L. No. 3-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    All lots inside the Village, subject to the adopted zoning map and listed districts and overlays.

    • District boundaries are shown on the adopted Zoning Map filed with the Village Clerk.
    • Lots in HPO or WPO overlays are subject to both the underlying district and overlay regulations.
    “Zoning districts. All lots within the Village shall be subject to the regulations of one of the following hereby established zoning districts as designated on the Zoning Map:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in the Village R-10 Residential District.

    • The minimum ground-floor area depends on whether the building is one-story, one-and-one-half-story, or two-story.

    one-story minimum dwelling ground-floor area: >= 1100 square feet · one-and-one-half-story minimum dwelling ground-floor area: >= 1000 square feet · two-story minimum dwelling ground-floor area: >= 750 square feet

    “Minimum dwelling ground-floor area: one-story building, 1,100 square feet; one-and-one-half-story building, 1,000 square feet; two-story building, 750 square feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — One-family dwellings in the Village R-30 Residential District.
      “Minimum dwelling ground-floor area: one-story building, 1,500 square feet; one-and-one-half-story building, 1,250 square feet; two-story building, 900 square feet.”
    • Specified — One-family dwellings in the R-20 Residential District.
      “Minimum dwelling ground-floor area: one-story building, 1,500 square feet; one-and-one-half-story building, 1,150 square feet; two-story building, 800 square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-10 Residential District inside the Village of Cazenovia.

    • The R-10 district also specifies minimum width, frontage, depth, yards, coverage, height, and dwelling ground-floor area.

    minimum lot area: 10000 square feet

    “Lot and structure requirements shall be as follows: A. Minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal and accessory buildings in the R-20 Residential District.

    • The same front-yard averaging exception applies to new dwellings on vacant lots and alterations to existing structures.

    front yard: >= 20 feet (front-yard averaging rule) · rear yard principal building: >= 50 feet · rear yard accessory building: >= 10 feet · side yard principal building total: >= 35 feet (either yard minimum 15 feet) · side yard accessory building: >= 10 feet

    “Minimum front yard depth: 20 feet. [NOTE: Except that new dwellings constructed on a vacant lot or alterations to an existing structure shall have a front yard depth that is not more than 10% greater or less than the average front yard depth of existing dwellings located within 200 feet of each side lot line of the lot.]”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Principal and accessory buildings in the R-30 Residential District.
      “Minimum front yard depth: 50 feet. [NOTE: Except that new dwellings constructed on a vacant lot or alterations to an existing structure shall have a front yard depth that is not more than 10% greater or less than the average front yard depth of existing dwellings located within 200 feet of each side lot line of the lot.]”
  • Building heightSpecified

    One-family residential buildings in the Village R-10 Residential District.

    • The maximum is the lesser of two stories or 30 feet.

    maximum building height: <= 30 feet (Two stories maximum also applies; whichever is less) · maximum stories: <= 2 stories (Whichever is less than 30 feet)

    “Maximum building height: two stories, or 30 feet, whichever is less.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid or private sanitation inside Cazenovia village.

    • Except as otherwise provided, construction of a privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility for disposal of human or animal excrement, garbage, or objectionable waste is unlawful.
    • Temporary port-a-john or other sewage disposal may be authorized for no more than 120 days with Public Works Administrator permission and Village Health Officer approval.

    temporary sanitation period: <= 120 days (renewable upon application and Village Health Officer approval)

    “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of any human or animal excrement, garbage or other objectionable waste.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Property inside Cazenovia village used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or another purpose when a Village public sanitary sewer is located within 100 feet of the property line.

    • Connection is required at the owner's expense within 90 days after official notice.
    • The sewer must be installed and located within 100 feet of the property line.
    • The code separately regulates Village water service, but the cited connection rule does not establish a mandatory public-water connection.

    public sewer distance from property line: <= 100 feet (public sewer must be installed and located within this distance) · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days (owner's expense)

    “connect such facilities directly to the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer has been installed and is located within 100 feet of the property line.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — New housing construction or building development requiring sanitary facilities inside the Village of Cazenovia.
      “All housing construction or building development which takes place after these regulations are enacted shall provide for an approved system of sanitary sewers.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats for land inside the Village of Cazenovia.

    • Chapter 155 includes sketch-plan, preliminary-plan, and final-plat procedures.
    “Article III Procedure for Subdivision Plat Approval”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Transient-occupancy lodging in the R-30 and R-20 Residential Districts.

    • Owner-occupied transient occupancy lodging is a special use requiring a special permit.
    • A non-owner-occupied lodging exception is limited to an existing residence hosting transient occupants before July 2, 2018, with a complete initial application received by the Village Clerk by October 1, 2018, and subject to § 180-104A.
    “Uses permitted upon issuance of a special permit shall be as follows: [...] Owner-occupied transient occupancy lodging.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Development, zoning, subdivision, variance, site-plan, special-permit, and related applications inside Cazenovia village.

    • Applicants or developers must deposit funds according to a schedule fixed by the Village Board.
    • Deposits pay reasonable and necessary legal, engineering, and other professional consulting costs.
    • Additional sums may be required if the initial deposit is insufficient.
    “shall deposit with the Village Treasurer a sum of money, as determined in accordance with the schedule of deposits fixed by the Village Board”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Village building-code inspections and related permits.
      “A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Board of Trustees of this Village. Such fee schedule may thereafter be amended from time to time by like resolution.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Village zoning and building-permit applications inside Cazenovia village.

    • A complete building-permit application for a permitted or special use is filed with the Village Clerk and referred by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to the Planning Board.
    • Applications must be submitted at least seven days before a regular Planning Board meeting to be placed on the agenda.
    • Applications use Village forms and must include maps, drawings, and other documentation required by the form.

    minimum lead time before regular Planning Board meeting: >= 7 days

    “A complete application for a building permit for a permitted use or for a special use shall be filed with the Village Clerk and then referred by the Zoning Enforcement Officer to the Planning Board. Applications must be submitted at least seven days prior to a regular Planning Board meeting to be on the Board's agenda.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Applications for Village building permits.
      “Applications for a building permit shall be made in writing on a form provided by or otherwise acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer. The application shall be signed by the owner of the property where the work is to be performed or by an authorized agent of the owner. [...] An application for a building permit shall be examined to ascertain whether the proposed work is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and Energy Code.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Cazenovia or Madison County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside the Village of Cazenovia.
  • Lot coverage — Residential development inside the Village of Cazenovia.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside the Village of Cazenovia.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside the Village of Cazenovia.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes inside the Village of Cazenovia.
9 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Village of Cazenovia publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Madison County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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