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

Town of Exeter’s own rules

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Exeter administered by Otsego County Codes Office.

  • Inspections apply where applicable.
  • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
  • Remote inspections may replace in-person inspection at the authorized official's discretion when they provide equivalent information; otherwise an in-person inspection is required.

  “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. The Permit Holder shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer when any element of work described in subdivision (b) of this section is ready for inspection.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation or replacement of any part of a septic system inside Exeter, through the town-identified Otsego County Codes Office.

  • The requirement applies to work that must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code.
  • Emergency septic work has a five-working-day filing period, prior verbal notice, and a final inspection.

  emergency septic permit filing period: <= 5 working days (Emergency work; verbal notification before installation and final inspection are required.)

  “the installation or replacement of any part of a septic system”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Otsego County building permits serving Exeter.

  • The county page states that permit application fees are doubled when work begins without a permit.
  • The linked fee-schedule PDF could not be opened, so individual fees are not recorded.

  “As of January 1 2023, Otsego County Codes has new fee schedule.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications inside Exeter administered by Otsego County Codes Office.

  • Applications and materials should be submitted electronically, by fax, or U.S. mail whenever possible.
  • Review occurs in received order.
  • The county generally issues permits 7-10 business days after a complete application.
  • Local zoning/land-use permits may also be required, and county permits will not issue until the county understands required local permits are in place.

  general issuance time after complete application: 7-10 business days (Generally; after the application is deemed complete.)

  “Permits are generally issued within 7 -10 business days after your application is deemed complete.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Exeter.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Exeter.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Exeter.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Exeter.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Exeter.

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.