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

Town of Haverstraw’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Work in the Town of Haverstraw that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code.

  • Exemptions in § 84-4B include specified small sheds under 144 square feet, certain playground equipment, shallow above-ground pools, certain fences, certain retaining walls, listed portable equipment, specified replacements, and limited repairs.
  • Work may not commence before the Code Enforcement Officer issues the permit.

  small detached-structure exemption threshold: < 144 square feet (One-story detached structures associated with listed dwelling types and used for tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses.)

  “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.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings, structures, and premises in the Town of Haverstraw subject to Article I of Chapter 84.

  • Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, other state law, or another section of Article I.

  “This article 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 this Town.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction work in the Town of Haverstraw where the listed construction elements are applicable.

  • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
  • The permit holder must notify the Code Enforcement Officer when an identified element is ready for inspection.
  • A final inspection occurs after all authorized work has been completed.

  “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 in the Town of Haverstraw governed by the Town's zoning code.

  • Incorporated villages located within the Town may administer separate village codes.

  “This chapter is adopted pursuant to the Town Law of the State of New York”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building-code permits and inspections administered by the Town Code Enforcement Officer.

  • The applicable fee must be paid when a building-permit application, amendment, or renewal is submitted.
  • Inspection fees must be paid before or at the time of each inspection.

  “To collect fees as set by the Town Board of this Town;”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications in the Town of Haverstraw.

  • Application must be in writing on a form provided by or acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer.
  • Application must be signed by the owner or the owner's authorized agent.
  • The Code Enforcement Officer examines the application for compliance with the Uniform Code and Energy Code.

  “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.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-performed residential construction in the Town of Haverstraw.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy or use of buildings in the Town of Haverstraw.
• Minimum dwelling size — One-family detached residences in the R-120 Rural Residence District.
• Living in an RV — Long-term occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land in the Town of Haverstraw.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in the Town of Haverstraw.

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.