Bolthole Index

Madison County, New York

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

The Village of Chittenango in Madison County requires a village building permit before most work governed by its construction codes begins, although limited exemptions apply.1 Chittenango also administers its own zoning.2 Public-sewer connection is required where the village code's availability conditions apply; otherwise a permitted private wastewater system is required, with Madison County Public Health involved in alternative-system review.345

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most code-regulated work inside Chittenango; limited exemptions apply1
Zoning
Village zoning applies, with uses and dimensions varying by district67
Septic
A private-system construction permit is required where public sewer is unavailable48
Public sewer
Connection is required when the village code's availability and notice conditions apply3
Mobile homes
Limited to a mobile home park in the SB district under specific conditions9
Final approval
A certificate of occupancy or compliance is required for permitted work and occupancy conversions10

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Chittenango Codes & Permits

Village building-permit applications, code questions and permit forms

(315) 687-5143

[email protected]

Municipal Bldg. 222 Genesee St. Chittenango, NY 13037

Septic permits

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

Septic-system guidance, observation of percolation and deep-hole tests, and review of alternative onsite wastewater systems in Madison County

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 Chittenango means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Yes. Inside the Village of Chittenango, a building permit is required for work that must conform to the state codes or village laws, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation and demolition.11 A qualifying one-story detached shed, playhouse or similar accessory structure associated with a house or townhouse is exempt when its gross floor area does not exceed 144 square feet, but exempt work must still comply with applicable codes.1

Permitted work must remain accessible and exposed until the Code Enforcement Officer or an authorized inspector accepts it.12 A certificate of occupancy or compliance is required for work covered by a building permit and for a conversion to another use or occupancy classification.10

Who issues building permits in Chittenango?

The Village of Chittenango Code Enforcement Officer administers the state Uniform Code, Energy Code and the village construction-code chapter.13 The Village Codes & Permits page provides the building-permit application and lists the office at the Municipal Building on Genesee Street; call (315) 687-5143 or email [email protected].14

A building-permit application must be written, signed by the owner or an authorized agent, and include the project information and construction documents required for review.15 The applicable fee is due when the application is submitted, and the Village Board of Trustees sets the fee schedule by resolution.1617

Does Chittenango have zoning, and what does it mean for land?

Chittenango has village zoning, and its official zoning map controls which district applies to a parcel.618 A zoning permit is a prerequisite to a building permit, so establish the parcel's district and zoning approval before finalizing construction plans.6

For a one-unit dwelling in the Low-Density Residential district, the minimum lot area is 15,000 square feet and the minimum lot width is 100 feet.19 The same district limits principal-building height to 35 feet and building coverage to 20 percent.2021 A one-unit dwelling in the Medium-Density Residential district instead requires at least 12,000 square feet of lot area and 80 feet of lot width.22

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or mobile home in Chittenango?

We could not confirm a village rule that expressly allows residential RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land, so ask Village Codes & Permits for a written parcel-specific answer before relying on an RV as housing. We also could not confirm a separate tiny-home rule or a villagewide minimum dwelling-floor-area requirement.

A tiny home proposed as a dwelling would still need to satisfy Chittenango's district use rules, dimensional standards, building-permit process and construction codes.6113 Mobile homes have a specific answer: the zoning schedule does not permit them in the listed districts except the Special Business district, where a mobile home is allowed only in a mobile home park under specific conditions.9

How do septic permits and sewer connections work inside Chittenango?

Where public sewer is unavailable, a building lateral must connect to a private wastewater disposal system that complies with state health rules and/or Madison County Health Department requirements.8 A written construction permit from the Village Superintendent is required before construction of that private system begins.4 Madison County Public Health reviews alternative onsite wastewater designs and construction and observes percolation and deep-hole tests.523

Where a public sewer is available under the village code, an affected property must connect within 90 days after official notice when the sewer lies within 100 feet of the property line.3 Ask Village Codes & Permits and Madison County Public Health to confirm which wastewater path applies to the exact parcel before committing to a house location or system design.

Building a home in Chittenango: what are the steps?

First, ask Village Codes & Permits to identify the parcel's zoning district and confirm that the dwelling, lot dimensions and site plan comply with Chapter 148.618 Next, determine whether public sewer is available; if it is not, obtain the Village Superintendent's written private-system construction permit and coordinate any county health review that applies.345

Then submit the signed building-permit application with the required project information and construction documents and pay the applicable fee.1516 Obtain the building permit before starting covered work, keep the work accessible for inspections, and obtain the certificate of occupancy or compliance before using the completed permitted work.112425

What should you check before buying land in Chittenango?

Confirm that the parcel is inside the village, identify its zoning district on the official map, and apply that district's use and dimensional schedule rather than assuming one villagewide lot standard.18 If a seller proposes splitting land, Chittenango regulates subdivision and resubdivision through its subdivision chapter.26

Verify public-sewer availability and private-system feasibility before treating the parcel as buildable.38 Only 11.9 percent of Madison County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so the countywide soil figure makes parcel-level testing especially important where sewer is unavailable.27 We could not confirm a village driveway rule, private-well permit rule or the operative local floodplain permit triggers; ask Village Codes & Permits which approvals apply to the specific site.

Watch-outs

  • A zoning permit is a prerequisite to a Chittenango building permit, so resolve zoning before treating building-plan approval as the first step.6
  • A mobile home is not a generally permitted dwelling across Chittenango's listed districts; the confirmed path is in a mobile home park in the Special Business district under specific conditions.9
  • The Village Superintendent's private-wastewater construction permit does not replace Madison County Public Health review where county requirements apply.48

Sources

  1. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 148 Zoning (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  3. Article III: Use of Public Sewers Required (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  4. Article IV: Private Wastewater Disposal (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  5. Water & Septic - Individual Systems (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  6. Table of Contents - Village of Chittenango, NY (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  7. Schedule I: Land Uses or Activities (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article IV: Private Wastewater Disposal (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  9. Village of Chittenango Schedule I: Land Uses or Activities (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform - Village of Chittenango, NY (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  14. Village of Chittenango Codes & Permits (chittenango.gov)
  15. Chapter 63: Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 63 Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 63: Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  18. Article II: Establishment of Districts (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  19. Village of Chittenango Schedule II: Zoning Area, Yard and Coverage Requirements (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  20. Village of Chittenango Schedule II: Zoning Area, Yard and Coverage Requirements (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  21. Village of Chittenango Schedule II: Zoning Area, Yard and Coverage Requirements (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  22. Village of Chittenango Schedule II: Zoning Area, Yard and Coverage Requirements (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  23. Madison County Public Health — Water & Septic (Individual Systems) (madisoncounty.ny.gov)
  24. Chapter 63: Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  25. Chapter 63: Construction Codes, Uniform (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  26. Chapter 125: Subdivision of Land (Village of Chittenango), quoted and re-checked
  27. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data

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 Chittenango

Village of Chittenango’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside Chittenango village that must conform to the Uniform Code, Energy Code, or Village local laws, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, demolition, or specified heating installations.

    • No person may commence work requiring a permit before obtaining one from the Village.
    • Exemptions include certain one-story detached accessory structures up to 144 square feet, temporary sets and scenery, certain awnings, low partitions, finish work, listed portable equipment, qualifying equipment replacements, and repairs without fire/life-safety impact.
    • An exemption does not authorize noncompliant work.
    • The application must be written, signed by the owner or authorized agent, and include required project information and documents.
    • The permit fee is due at application submission; permits become invalid if work does not begin within six months and expire after twelve months.

    maximum exempt detached accessory structure area: <= 144 square feet (one-story detached structures associated with specified dwellings) · permit commencement deadline: 6 months (after issuance) · permit expiration: 12 months (after issuance)

    “No person shall commence any work for which a building permit is required without first having obtained a building permit from the Village.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Work inside Chittenango village that must conform to the Uniform Code, Energy Code, or Village local laws.
      “No person shall commence any work for which a building permit is required without first having obtained a building permit from the Village.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction-code administration inside Chittenango village.

    • The Village administers the New York State Uniform Code and Energy Code through its Code Enforcement Officer.
    “The Code Enforcement Officer shall administer and enforce all the provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, and this chapter.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Construction inside Chittenango village limits; the Village enforces the New York State Uniform Code, Energy Code, and Village construction-code chapter.
      “The office of Code Enforcement Officer is hereby created. The Code Enforcement Officer shall administer and enforce all the provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, and this chapter.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Chittenango village.

    • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    • The permit holder must notify the Code Enforcement Officer when applicable work is ready for inspection.
    • Fees are due prior to or at inspection.
    “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
    • Required — Permitted construction inside Chittenango village.
      “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.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Work subject to a building permit and conversions between use or occupancy classifications inside Chittenango village.

    • Permission to use or occupy a building for which a building permit was issued is granted only by issuance of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.
    • Temporary certificates are separately authorized.
    “A certificate of occupancy or 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Work subject to a building permit and structures or portions converted to another use or occupancy classification inside Chittenango village.
      “A certificate of occupancy or 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

    Land inside Chittenango village limits.

    • Chapter 148 is the Village's adopted zoning law; it includes zoning districts, a zoning map, land-use schedules, dimensional requirements, permits, and enforcement provisions.
    “The Village of Chittenango shall be divided into the following types of districts, which shall be differentiated according to use and area and for the purpose of which they shall be hereafter used and developed:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Chittenango village limits; the Village adopts and administers Chapter 148 Zoning.
      “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Chittenango 2-6-1990 by L.L. No. 1-1990. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Chittenango village.

    • Published schedules identify SR, LR, MR, HR, GB, SB, and LI districts.
    • Schedule I was amended through 2023-07-27 according to the schedule's amendment history.
    • Schedule II is incorporated into Chapter 148.
    “The Village of Chittenango shall be divided into the following types of districts, which shall be differentiated according to use and area and for the purpose of which they shall be hereafter used and developed:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Zoning districts inside Chittenango village.
      “The above districts shall be located, bounded and described as shown by the amended Zoning Map of the Village of Chittenango. Such map has been designated the official map of the Village and, together with the boundaries and designation thereon, is made part of this Zoning Law.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and occupancy of mobile homes, as the Village zoning schedule's manufactured-home occupancy category, inside Chittenango village. Schedule I lists mobile homes as NP in the SR, LR, MR, HR, GB, and LI districts, and SC in the SB district.

    • The Schedule I legend defines NP as “Not permitted (See § 148-33.)” and SC as “Permitted with specific conditions.”
    • In the SB District, a mobile home is permitted only when located in a mobile home park.
    • A mobile home park in the SB Special Business District requires compliance with § 148-30 and site plan approval by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Board.
    • The mobile home park permit is renewable every two years; the code also requires a minimum gross park area of three acres and at least 12 units.
    • The cited schedule was amended through 7-27-2023; § 148-30 and § 148-36 were amended 9-26-2024.

    permitted district: SB (Only when the mobile home is located in a mobile home park) · mobile-home-park minimum gross area: >= 3 acres · mobile-home-park minimum units: >= 12 units · mobile-home-park permit renewal interval: 2 years

    “7. Dwelling, mobile home NP NP NP NP NP SC NP § 148-36C”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private wastewater systems inside Chittenango village where public sewer is unavailable.

    • The Village Superintendent enforces the NYSDOH rules and/or Madison County Health Department requirements.
    • The Madison County Health Department and NYSDOH may also determine whether effluent creates a hazardous, offensive, or objectionable condition.
    • Additional requirements may be imposed by the Superintendent to protect public health and welfare.
    “Where a public sewer is not available, under the provisions of § 115-304, the building lateral shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the NYSDOH, to be enforced by the Superintendent, and/or the Madison County Health Department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Individual onsite wastewater systems inside Chittenango village; Madison County Public Health is the identified reviewing authority.
      “Review and approve alternative onsite waste water disposal system designs and construction to minimize potential health hazards and the contamination of surface and groundwater.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Chittenango village.

    • A written construction permit must be obtained from the Superintendent before construction begins.
    • The system must comply with NYSDOH rules and/or Madison County Health Department requirements.
    “A written construction permit shall be obtained from the Superintendent before construction commencement.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private wastewater disposal inside Chittenango village when public sewer is unavailable.

    • Private wastewater disposal is generally unlawful except as provided by Chapter 115.
    • When public sewer is unavailable, a compliant private wastewater system is required.
    • A construction permit from the Superintendent and inspection authority apply.
    “Where a public sewer is not available, under the provisions of § 115-304, the building lateral shall be connected to a private wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the NYSDOH, to be enforced by the Superintendent, and/or the Madison County Health Department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Private wastewater disposal inside Chittenango village when public sewer is unavailable.
      “Public sewer unavailable: private wastewater disposal required.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Chittenango village abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way where a public sewer is located or later becomes available.

    • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
    • The public sewer must be within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the property line.
    • If public sewer later becomes available, private wastewater facilities must be cleaned and filled, removed, or otherwise handled as specified by § 115-408.

    connection deadline after official notice: 90 days · maximum distance from property line: 100 feet (30.5 meters)

    “The owner(s) of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes, situated within the Village of Chittenango, and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may, in the future, be located a public sewer, is hereby required, at the owner's expense to install suitable sanitary facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 90 days after official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within one 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the property line.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — Buildings inside Chittenango village where public sewer is available.
      “§ 115-307 Connection to public sewer required. [...] § 115-401 Public sewer unavailable: private wastewater disposal required.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Farm buildings used directly and solely for agricultural purposes inside Chittenango village.

    • The exemption concerns the licensed-architect or engineer seal requirement for permit plans; it is not a blanket exemption from building or zoning permits.
    • Other exemptions apply to residences of 1,500 square feet or less and qualifying alterations costing $10,000 or less that do not affect structural or public safety.

    residence gross area seal exemption threshold: <= 1500 square feet (garages, carports, porches, cellars, and uninhabitable basements or attics excluded) · alteration cost seal exemption threshold: <= 10000 USD (no changes affecting structural safety or public safety)

    “Farm buildings used directly and solely for agricultural purposes.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and resubdivision of land inside Chittenango village.

    • Chapter 125 is the Village's subdivision chapter and includes plat-filing and development standards.
    “Chapter 125 Subdivision of Land [HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Chittenango 2-6-1990 by L.L. No. 2-1990. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building-code applications and inspections inside Chittenango village.

    • The fee schedule is established by Board of Trustees resolution and may be amended by like resolution.
    • Fees cover applications, permits, certificates, operating permits, inspections, and other Code Enforcement Officer actions.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Building permits and inspections inside Chittenango village.
      “The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 63-17 (Fees) of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for a building permit, for an amended building permit, or for renewal of a building permit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Chittenango village.

    • Applications must be written on a form provided by or acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer.
    • Applications must include location, nature, extent, scope, tax-map number, street address, occupancy classification, applicable special-inspection statement, and at least two sets of construction documents.
    • The Code Enforcement Officer reviews and approves or disapproves applications.
    “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 an authorized agent of the owner.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Chittenango

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

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Chittenango village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Chittenango village.
  • Living in an RV — Occupancy of recreational vehicles on land inside Chittenango village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Chittenango village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Chittenango village.
6 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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

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