Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Vernon, New York

Village of Vernon’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction inside the Village of Vernon (building zoning permit)

  • Exceptions: necessary repairs which do not materially affect structural features; replacement of windows and doors; alterations that do not affect structural or fire-safety features, involve electrical installation/extension, or add solid-fuel heating appliances.
  • Exempt work must still comply with the NYS Uniform Code and may be inspected.
  • Fees set by board of trustees resolution.

  “a permit is required prior to the commencement of construction in order to establish the mechanism whereby the village receives notice that construction is contemplated for a certain piece of property”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building construction inside the Village of Vernon

  • Copy of the code is on file in the village clerk's office.

  “pursuant to article 18 of the executive law, the new york state uniform fire prevention and building code will be the controlling provisions in regard to building construction in the village of vernon. a copy of the uniform fire prevention and building code is on file in the office of the village clerk.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside the Village of Vernon

  • Also inspections before certificate of occupancy, periodic general inspections and complaint-driven inspections.

  “when a building zoning permit has been issued, inspections are conducted during the course of construction for the purpose of observing the compliance of construction with the code”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New, enlarged or altered buildings inside the Village of Vernon

  • Not issued until written approval by the Oneida County Department of Health.
  • Work requiring a permit: occupancy not allowed beyond 30 days after completion without a CO.

  “the certificate of occupancy specified in this section shall not be issued until approval has been granted, in writing, by the oneida county department of health.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside the Village of Vernon (Oneida County, ZIP 13476)

  • Zoning map is on file at the village office.

  “in order to regulate the location and use of a buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence and other purposes, and to regulate the height and size of buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts inside the Village of Vernon

  • Districts: R1, RT, B1, B2, M1, PD, PM, OD overlay, OF overlay flood area.
  • The zoning map is on file at the village office, not found online.

  “the locations and boundaries of the zoning districts hereby established are shown on the master zoning map, entitled "zoning map, village of vernon, new york," which is on file in the village office.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles in all zoning districts inside the Village of Vernon

  • Not permitted as a permanent residence.
  • Temporary dwelling only while visiting residents of the property, 14 days maximum.

  temporary RV stay: <= 14 days

  “no recreational vehicle shall be occupied or used as a permanent residence or dwelling, but owners of such a vehicle may use it as a temporary dwelling while visiting residents of the property on which it is parked for 14 days maximum.”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  Garages and accessory buildings used as dwellings in all districts inside the Village of Vernon

  • Cross-reference to § 200-24a not opened.

  “no garage or accessory building shall be occupied or used for residence or dwelling purposes.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Land in the Flood Area overlay district (FEMA special flood hazard areas) inside the Village of Vernon

  • Overlay applies on top of underlying district; see also Ch. 107, Flood Damage Prevention (not opened).

  “the flood area district is an overlay. the uses in the underlying districts are permitted, subject to planning board review.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits inside the Village of Vernon

  • Initial fee is based on estimated construction cost and adjusted to actual cost before the certificate of occupancy.
  • Fee schedule itself not found online in pages opened.

  “building permit fees shall be as set from time to time by resolution of the board of trustees.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building zoning permits inside the Village of Vernon

  • Code describes the process generally; forms and procedures not located.

  “the application for a building zoning permit requires information sufficient to enable the local officials issuing the permit to make the determination”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside the Village of Vernon
• Minimum dwelling size — R1 residence district, Village of Vernon
• Minimum lot size — R1 residence district, Village of Vernon
• Setbacks — R1 residence district, Village of Vernon
• Lot coverage — R1 residence district, Village of Vernon

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.