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

Town of Jefferson’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, renovation, repair, removal, demolition, and specified equipment installation within Jefferson town.

  • One-story detached tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses associated with specified dwellings do not require a permit if gross floor area does not exceed 144 square feet (13.88m2) and the construction conforms to applicable Uniform Code requirements.
  • A permit is valid for one year and may be renewed for $75.00.

  exempt detached structure maximum gross floor area: <= 144 square feet (One-story detached tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses associated with the dwellings described in the packet; must conform to applicable Uniform Code requirements.) · permit duration: 1 year (May be renewed for a $75.00 fee.)

  “A Building Permit is REQUIRED BEFORE commencing construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, renovation, repair, removal, or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, or installation of heating equipment or solid fuel burning device.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Workers' compensation and disability-benefits insurance proof for an owner obtaining a building permit for a one-, two-, three-, or four-family owner-occupied residence in Jefferson town.

  • The owner must be the owner of the listed one-, two-, three-, or four-family owner-occupied residence.
  • The owner either performs all work, does not hire/pay/compensate workers, or has current homeowner insurance and hires/pays workers less than 40 aggregate hours per week.
  • If hiring or paying individuals totals 40 or more aggregate hours in any week, the owner may not file BP-1 and must obtain coverage/proof or have the general contractor provide it.

  paid worker aggregate-hours threshold: < 40 hours per week (Requires a current homeowner insurance policy for the owner-paid-worker condition.)

  “Under penalty of perjury, I certify that I am the owner of the 1, 2, 3 or 4 family, owner-occupied residence (including condominiums) listed on the building permit that I am applying for, and I am not required to show specific proof of workers’ compensation insurance coverage for such residence because (please check the appropriate box):”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction work within Jefferson town.

  • The owner, contractor, or agent must give the Code Enforcement Official at least 48 hours' notice for inspections.
  • Permitted work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the enforcing government or agency.
  • A certificate of occupancy or compliance will not be issued without inspections.

  inspection notice: >= 48 hours (No exceptions stated in the packet.)

  “Inspection Notification to the Code Enforcement: it is the sole responsibility of the owner, contractor or agent to give the Code Enforcement Official at least 48 hrs. notice for inspections, no exceptions. All required inspections are listed on the Building Permit.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A building subject to the Town's building-permit process within Jefferson town.

  • The building may not be used or occupied in whole or in part until the appropriate certificate has been issued.
  • A certificate of occupancy or compliance will not be issued without inspections.
  • No fee is charged when a certificate is issued for work performed under a previously issued building or demolition permit and all penalties are paid; otherwise the packet specifies 20% of full market value of improvements or a $500 minimum if work complies with the Uniform Code.

  certificate fee where no prior qualifying permit: 20 percent of full market value of improvements (Minimum $500.00; work must comply with the Uniform Code.) · minimum certificate fee where no prior qualifying permit: >= 500 USD (The packet says this applies in all other circumstances.)

  “IMPORTANT: The granting of a permit does not presume to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of any other state or local law regulating construction or land use or the performance of construction. Do not begin construction until permit application is approved and permit is issued. Do not use or occupy the building that is subject of permit in whole or in part for any purpose until appropriate certificate has been issued by this office”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within the Town of Jefferson, Schoharie County, New York.

  • The Rural Land Development Law establishes a Hamlet District and a General Rural District.
  • The plan states that area requirements and site-plan procedures apply to most uses except one- and two-family dwellings.

  “This local law was adopted in 2015. It establishes two zoning districts – a Hamlet District and a General Rural District. Area requirements and site plan procedures were put in place for most uses except one and two-family dwellings.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts within Jefferson town.

  • The Town's Rural Land Development Law establishes a Hamlet District and General Rural District.

  “Hamlet District and a General Rural District”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Building work within Jefferson town.

  • The official packet says to check with the Code Enforcement Official.

  road setback: 75 feet from center of road (Check with CEO.) · property-line setback: 10 feet (Check with CEO.)

  “11- Building Setback: 75' from center of road and 10' from property lines. (check with CEO).”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land subdivisions within Jefferson town.

  • The Town Board authorized the Planning Board to regulate land subdivisions.
  • The regulations were adopted in 1986 and updated in 2016.

  “The Town Board authorized its Planning Board to regulate land subdivisions and the Planning Board subsequently prepared subdivision regulations, adopted in 1986 and updated in 2016 in accordance with recommendations in the original comprehensive plan.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town building-permit applications within Jefferson town.

  • The checklist calls for a completed signed application, insurance forms, architect/engineer drawings where required, sewage-design documents approved by the Schoharie County Health Department with approval letter, a site/plot plan, drawings/project dimensions, new driveway approval letter, and payment.
  • A 911 address assigned by Schoharie County is required before a permit is issued.

  “Please Submit: 1- ____ A completed and signed Building Permit Application. 2- ____ All required Insurance forms. 3- ____ Architect/Engineer stamped and signed drawings. 4- ____ One copy of sewage disposal system design documents as approved by Schoharie County Health Department along with approval letter.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building code adopted — Construction within Jefferson town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings within Jefferson town.
• Minimum lot size — Lots within Jefferson town.
• Lot coverage — Lots within Jefferson town.
• Building height — Buildings within Jefferson town.

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.