Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Steuben County, New York

Yes. In Steuben County, a building permit is required for work that must comply with New York's Uniform Code or Energy Code, though a local code enforcement program may exclude minor items such as certain small detached structures and non-life-safety repairs¹. The Uniform Code applies statewide outside New York City without each local government having to adopt it separately¹. Steuben County administers permits for the Towns of Addison, Campbell, and Tuscarora; owners elsewhere must use their municipality's code enforcement office^2,3. Do not begin permit-required work before the code enforcement officer issues the permit⁸. Permitted work is subject to construction inspections, and a certificate of occupancy or compliance is required for permitted work and changes in occupancy classification^7,9.

For Addison, Campbell, and Tuscarora, use Steuben County Code Enforcement at 3 E Pulteney Square in Bath or call 607-664-2470³. The published process is to complete the applicable application, receive the fee amount, and pay by check or cash; the code enforcement officer may take up to 30 days to review the application before work can start². Fees depend on the project³. Campbell's application publishes a schedule, including $200 for new construction up to 1,500 square feet and $100 for each additional 1,000 square feet or fraction, but do not apply those amounts to another town without confirmation⁸. For land outside the three county-served towns, contact the municipality's code enforcement office³.

Steuben County does not exercise countywide zoning power; zoning is adopted and administered by towns and villages^4,10. Local zoning varies, and the county publishes reference maps showing which municipalities have adopted zoning⁶. Those county-posted maps and laws may not be current, so obtain the official version from the municipality before committing money⁶. The applicable local law—not a countywide schedule—controls uses, setbacks, lot size, and dimensional rules⁶. Subdivision review also varies: the county shows municipalities with subdivision regulations, while New York law allows a town board to authorize its planning board to approve plats outside incorporated villages^11,12. The Steuben County Planning Department provides technical assistance and reviews certain local actions in an advisory role⁴. Zoning approval, like building permits, comes from the town or village, while septic review stays with the New York State Department of Health's Hornell District Office wherever the parcel sits⁵.

Steuben County does not operate a county health department for environmental health; the New York State Department of Health's Hornell District Office serves Steuben County⁵. A system discharging less than 1,000 gallons per day of ordinary sewage may be exempt from a state SPDES permit, but that exemption does not eliminate other health-department review¹³. Campbell's building application specifically requires a new or modified onsite wastewater system to be designed by a New York registered engineer or architect, who must inspect the installation and certify that it matches the design⁸. Ask the Hornell District Office and the parcel's municipality which approvals apply before designing the house. County soil data rates 0% of mapped soils as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making early site evaluation especially important¹⁴.

We could not confirm a countywide rule allowing residential RV use or tiny-home occupancy in Steuben County. Zoning varies by town or village, so ask the parcel's municipality whether the proposed use is allowed and what setbacks, lot standards, or time limits apply¹⁵. A tiny home that involves work governed by the Uniform Code or Energy Code requires a building permit from the authority serving that municipality¹. A manufactured home likewise requires a permit, inspections, and a certificate of occupancy or compliance¹⁶. A homeowner who plans to install a manufactured home personally must obtain the applicable installer certification; otherwise, homeowner-completed installation components must be supervised and certified by a certified installer¹⁶. Contact the Hornell District Office about wastewater review before relying on either housing option⁵.

1. Identify the town or village and obtain its current zoning map and law before committing funds⁶.
2. Determine the permit authority: Steuben County serves Addison, Campbell, and Tuscarora; other municipalities use their own code enforcement office^2,3.
3. Contact the Hornell District Office about onsite wastewater review and arrange the required design work before fixing the house location⁵.
4. Complete the applicable building-permit application, obtain the fee amount, and pay the issuing office³.
5. Do not start permit-required work until the permit is issued, and leave work exposed until required inspections are accepted⁸.
6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy or compliance before using permitted work¹.

Confirm the municipality, its current zoning rules, and its permit office before closing, because both land-use controls and administration vary within Steuben County^3,6. Order a septic site evaluation early: 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field¹⁴. Check flood mapping and ask the municipality about its floodplain permit; private development in mapped floodplains is subject to local permitting, and Campbell publishes a $25 floodplain-development permit for development in a floodplain^8,17. A new or modified residential driveway on a state highway needs a New York State Department of Transportation permit¹⁸. Finally, verify any subdivision review with the municipality, because only some municipalities have adopted subdivision regulations¹¹.