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

Rules another office applies inside Town of West Union

Town of West Union does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  Work inside West Union that is required to conform to the New York Uniform Code

  • Certain exceptions are permitted under the Uniform Code.
  • If West Union has lawfully opted out of enforcement, county enforcement responsibility would pass to Steuben County; no West Union opt-out law was located.

  “Building permits must be required for any work which is required to conform to the Uniform Code. Certain exceptions are permitted.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building construction inside the Town of West Union, which is outside New York City

  • The source excepts New York City.
  • Local governments may impose more restrictive standards where authorized by state law.

  uniform-code-version: 2025 Uniform Code of New York State

  “The Uniform Code is automatically in effect in each city, town, and village in the State (except New York City) by directive of the State Legislature. An individual city, town, or village cannot choose to exclude itself from all or any part of the Uniform Code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Uniform-Code construction work inside West Union for which inspections are specified

  • Permit holders must keep work accessible and exposed until it is inspected and accepted by the municipality.

  “Inspections of certain specified elements of the construction process must be required. Building permits holders must keep work accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the municipality.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Work inside West Union for which a building permit was required, and changes in general occupancy classification

  • A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is required for all work for which a building permit was required.
  • It is also required whenever the general occupancy classification changes.

  “A certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance must be required (1) for all work for which a building permit was required and (2) whenever the general occupancy classification of a building is changed.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater systems inside West Union that discharge less than 1,000 gallons per day to groundwater and contain no industrial or other non-sewage wastes

  • Approval is by the appropriate city or county health department, or the appropriate New York State Department of Health district office.
  • Projects outside the stated discharge and waste conditions may need a DEC SPDES permit.

  groundwater-discharge: < 1000 gallons per day (No industrial or other non-sewage wastes)

  “Wastewater treatment systems that discharges less than 1,000 gallons per day to groundwater, and that have no industrial or other non-sewage wastes will require approval from the appropriate city or county health department, or the appropriate district office of the New York State Department of Health.”

• Well permitNot required

  Ordinary private water-well drilling inside West Union

  • The DEC exception for Long Island wells producing more than 45 gallons per minute does not describe West Union.
  • A DEC permit is required for geothermal wells more than 500 feet deep.
  • A local permit may be needed in some counties; no West Union-specific local permit rule was located.

  Long Island well production: > 45 gallons per minute (DEC exception stated for Long Island water wells) · geothermal well depth: > 500 feet (DEC exception for geothermal wells)

  “A: A DEC permit is not required except for Long Island water wells that produce more than 45 gallons per minute, and geothermal wells more than 500 feet deep. However, a local permit is needed in some counties.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside West Union
• Local zoning — Land inside the Town of West Union, Steuben County, New York
• Zoning districts — Land inside West Union
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside West Union
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside West Union

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.