Bolthole Index

Rockland County, New York

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Town of Clarkstown, New York

The Town of Clarkstown, New York requires a building permit for work that must meet the state Uniform Code, including residential construction1. Clarkstown adopts and administers its own zoning districts2. Septic systems need written Rockland County Health Department approval and a Town permit3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for work covered by the Uniform Code; detached one-story sheds up to 144 square feet are exempt1
Who issues building permits
Town of Clarkstown Building Department, New City4
Zoning
Town zoning districts and map under Chapter 290 of the Town Code25
Septic
Rockland County Health Department approval plus a Town permit3
Public sewer
Connection required when a Town sewer is within 150 feet of the property line6
Flood zones
Town floodplain development permit required in mapped flood hazard areas7
RV, tiny home, accessory dwelling
Not confirmed; ask the Planning Department5

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Clarkstown Building Department

Building permits and inspections for the Town of Clarkstown, one of Rockland County's towns; each Rockland town/village runs its own building department

(845) 639-2100

10 Maple Ave., Room 101, New City, NY 10956

Zoning

Town of Clarkstown Planning Department

Zoning, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Clarkstown; each Rockland town/village has its own zoning administration

(845) 639-2070

10 Maple Ave., New City, NY 10956

Septic permits

Rockland County Department of Health, Environmental Health

Reviews and approves septic system plans, inspects installations, investigates wastewater complaints, and reviews realty subdivisions of 3 or more lots countywide

845-364-2656

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Yes. The Town of Clarkstown Code requires a building permit for any work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including building, enlarging, altering, removing, relocating or demolishing a structure1. The Building Department says the same: a permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, remove, improve, demolish or convert a building or structure4.

The exemptions are narrow. A detached one-story shed, playhouse or similar structure tied to a one- or two-family home is exempt only if it is no more than 144 square feet1. Ordinary repairs that replace existing materials with new materials of a similar kind also do not need a permit4. An exemption never excuses work from meeting the code8.

The application must be in writing on a form the Code Enforcement Officer accepts, signed by the owner or an authorized agent, and work cannot start until the permit is issued9. We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption from Clarkstown's permit rules, so assume a homeowner needs the same permit as a contractor and ask the Building Department.

Who issues building permits in Clarkstown, and how do you reach them?

The Town of Clarkstown Building Department issues building permits and inspections for land inside the town, not Rockland County4. The office is on the lower level of Clarkstown Town Hall, Room 101, 10 Maple Ave., New City, NY, and its phone number is (845) 639-21004. Permit applications are checked against the codes the town enforces, including building, housing, plumbing and zoning4.

A permit brings inspections. Work must stay accessible and exposed until the Code Enforcement Officer or an authorized inspector accepts it, and the permit holder must call for inspection when each stage is ready10. A certificate of occupancy is needed before anyone moves in11. We could not confirm the Town's own certificate-of-occupancy procedure, so ask the Building Department. The Town Board sets permit fees, and we could not confirm the current schedule12.

Does Clarkstown have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Yes. The Town of Clarkstown is divided into zoning districts, and land use depends on the mapped district and the controls in Chapter 290 of the Town Code2. Rockland County does not zone: New York gives zoning power to cities, towns and villages, not counties13.

The Town of Clarkstown Planning Department handles the administrative work for the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and related review boards5. Call (845) 639-2070 or visit 10 Maple Ave., New City, NY 109565.

We could not confirm Clarkstown's rules for living in an RV, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, manufactured homes or short-term rentals, and we did not find a minimum dwelling size for single-family homes in the medium-density residence district. Ask the Planning Department which district a parcel is in and what that district allows before you plan anything unusual. Setbacks and lot size also vary by district, so get the figures for the specific parcel.

How do septic permits work in Clarkstown?

Where public sewer is not available, a private sewage disposal system in Clarkstown needs two approvals before construction: written approval from the Rockland County Health Department and a permit from the Town Superintendent or a designee3. The Town and the county health department share this job, so one approval does not replace the other14.

The county's sanitary code requires a plan approved by the Rockland County Commissioner of Health before any septic work starts, and the system cannot be used until it is inspected and a certificate of approval is issued15. Residential systems in non-sewered areas need two septic tanks in series, with the second holding at least 1,000 gallons, and a new residential system needs a 12-month $2,000 performance bond unless the resident files a waiver15.

Soil adds risk: about 4.3% of Rockland County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system16. Call the Rockland County Department of Health, Environmental Health at 845-364-265617.

Do you have to connect to public sewer in Clarkstown?

Often, yes. An owner of a building used for human occupancy that abuts a street or right-of-way with a Town public sanitary sewer must install toilet facilities and connect to that sewer within 90 days after official notice, provided the sewer is within 150 feet of the property line6. The county adds that no subsurface septic system may be built or repaired where a public sewer is available and accessible15. On a sewered street, plan on a sewer connection instead of a septic field.

Building a home in Clarkstown: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Planning Department which zoning district the parcel is in and what it allows25.
  2. Check for flood hazard: a Town floodplain development permit is required before any development in a mapped flood hazard area7.
  3. If you are dividing land, expect subdivision approval from the Planning Board18. Rockland County's health code also reviews realty subdivisions of 3 or more lots17.
  4. Confirm sewer or septic: connect to sewer where the rules require it, or get Rockland County Health Department approval and a Town septic permit3.
  5. Apply for a building permit at the Building Department9.
  6. Keep work exposed for inspections10.
  7. Get a certificate of occupancy before moving in11.

What to check before you buy land in Clarkstown

Rockland County's effective property tax rate is 1.8%19, and its median property tax bill is $10,001 a year20. A typical home in the county is worth about $765,90821. Rockland County is dense, at about 1,964.9 people per square mile22, so expect a developed suburban setting rather than open rural land. These are county figures, not Clarkstown-only figures.

Check whether the parcel is on a state highway, because a driveway on a state highway needs a NYSDOT permit23. Also ask whether a contractor you hire needs a local home-improvement license: Rockland County is among the local jurisdictions that require one24. For land outside Clarkstown's limits, see the Rockland County page.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Clarkstown's rules on RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, private wells or agricultural buildings, so call the Planning Department at (845) 639-2070 before you rely on any of them5.
  • A septic system in Clarkstown needs both Rockland County Health Department approval and a Town permit, so budget time for two reviews3.
  • Rockland County has no zoning of its own, so county staff cannot tell you what a parcel inside Clarkstown allows13.

Sources

  1. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 109: Building Construction Administration (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 290, Article II: Districts, Zoning Map and Controls (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  3. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 236: Sewers (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  4. Town of Clarkstown Building Department (clarkstown.gov)
  5. Town of Clarkstown Planning Department (clarkstown.gov)
  6. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 236: Sewers (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 146: Flood Damage Prevention (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  8. Part 1203 Uniform Code and the Energy Code: Minimum Standards for Administration and Enforcement (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 109: Building Construction Administration (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  10. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 109: Building Construction Administration (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  11. Part 1203 Uniform Code and the Energy Code: Minimum Standards for Administration and Enforcement (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 109: Building Construction Administration (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  13. documents.dps.ny.gov (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 236: Sewers (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  15. Rockland County Sanitary Code, Article IV – Waste Facilities and Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  16. 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
  17. Rockland County Department of Health, Environmental Health (rocklandcountyny.gov)
  18. Town of Clarkstown Code, Chapter 254, Article III: Procedure for Obtaining Approval (Town of Clarkstown), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Residential Driveway Permits (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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 Town of Clarkstown

Town of Clarkstown’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work in Clarkstown that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including residential construction.

    • The listed exemptions in § 109-4B apply, including certain detached one-story accessory structures no greater than 144 square feet and specified minor work.
    • A permit must be obtained from the Town before commencing covered work.

    detached accessory-structure exemption threshold: <= 144 square feet (One-story structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings or townhouses, used for tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses.)

    “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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction performed under a Town building permit in Clarkstown.

    • The listed construction elements are inspected where applicable.
    • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    • A remote inspection may replace an in-person inspection only at the Code Enforcement Officer's or authorized inspector's discretion and only if it provides the same level and quality.
    “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 Subsection B of this section is ready for inspection.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within the Town of Clarkstown.

    • Land use remains subject to the applicable mapped zoning district and Chapter 290 controls.
    “The Town of Clarkstown is hereby divided into the following districts”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Clarkstown where public sewer is unavailable.

    • Rockland County Health Department written approval is required.
    • A Town permit issued by the Superintendent or designee is also required.
    • The private-system type, capacity, location, and layout must comply with Rockland County Health Department requirements.
    “written approval of the Rockland County Health Department”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system in Clarkstown.

    • Written Rockland County Health Department approval is required before construction.
    • A permit issued by the Town Superintendent or designee is required.
    • Referenced application and permit fees are governed by §§ 236-34 through 236-36.
    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain the written approval of the Rockland County Health Department and a permit issued by the Superintendent or his designated representative.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Town-permitted private sewage disposal systems in Clarkstown.

    • The Town permit does not become effective until installation is completed to the Director's or designee's satisfaction.
    • The applicant must notify the Director before underground portions are covered; inspection is to occur within 48 hours of notice.
    • This Town section does not apply where Rockland County Health Department requirements control design and inspection.

    Town inspection timing after notice: <= 48 hours (When the Town inspection provision applies.)

    “The inspection shall be made within 48 hours”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties in Clarkstown abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a Town public sanitary sewer.

    • The public sewer must be within 150 feet of the property line.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days after official notice.
    • The owner bears the expense of installing suitable toilet facilities and connecting to the proper public sewer.

    public sewer distance from property line: <= 150 feet (Connection requirement applies when the sewer is within this distance.) · connection deadline after official notice: <= 90 days

    “The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the Town 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 sanitary sewer of the Town, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 90 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 150 feet of the property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision proposals in Clarkstown.

    • The subdivision code contains a procedure for obtaining approval, including preliminary-plat application, preliminary approval procedure, final plat approval, and additional requirements for final approval.
    “before developing it, the applicant shall apply for and secure Board approval”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction and other development in Clarkstown areas of special flood hazard shown on the cited Flood Insurance Rate Map.

    • A valid Town floodplain development permit is required before development.
    • Applications require the Town Board Consolidated Fee Schedule application fee, plus reimbursement for additional review, inspection, and approval costs; the local administrator may require a deposit of no more than $500.
    • All other necessary state or federal permits must be received before issuance.

    maximum additional-cost deposit: <= 500 USD (May be required by the local administrator to cover additional review, inspection, and approval costs.)

    “without a valid floodplain development permit”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Town building-permit and inspection activity in Clarkstown.

    • The Code Enforcement Officer collects fees set by the Town Board.
    • The exact fee schedule amount was not located in the opened materials.
    “To collect fees as set by the Town Board of Clarkstown;”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Applications for Town building permits in Clarkstown.

    • Application must be in writing on a form provided by or acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer.
    • The application must be signed by the property owner or authorized agent.
    • The application must contain information sufficient to determine compliance with the Uniform Code and Energy Code.
    • Work cannot commence until a permit is issued.
    “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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders of residential construction in Clarkstown.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of completed residential construction in Clarkstown.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residences in the R-15 Medium Density Residence District in Clarkstown.
  • Living in an RV — Recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land in Clarkstown.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Clarkstown.
6 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Town of Clarkstown publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Rockland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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