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

Town of Nichols’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, additions, structural refurbishing, and similar work inside Nichols town.

  “All new construction, additions, structural refurbishing, and the like require a building permit and are subject to the rules and regulations of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Work authorized by the Town building-permit application, including permanent structures and mobile homes.

  • Applicant agrees to notify the inspector for the listed inspections.

  “We hereby agree to notify the Inspector for the following inspections: Sewer Systems Inspections (septic systems). Water supply inspections. Completion of Construction or Installation of Mobile Home and the required inspections.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  A building built, altered, or mobile home installed under the Town building-permit application.

  • The building may not be occupied until the certificate is issued.

  “That the Building(s) will not be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the Town of Nichols, Tioga County, New York.

  • Land use is regulated by the Town zoning chapter.

  “This chapter is designed to regulate land use in the Town of Nichols.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Nichols town.

  • District boundaries are shown on the Town zoning map dated April 1990; the original is filed with the Town Clerk and available for public inspection.

  zoning districts: Agricultural; Business; Industrial; Residential

  “For the purposes of this chapter, the Town of Nichols is hereby divided into the following zoning districts and combinations thereof: (1) Agricultural districts. (2) Business districts. (3) Industrial districts. (4) Residential districts.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  All building lots inside Nichols town.

  • Required lot size depends on percolator-test results; a smaller lot may be approved by the Town Board when the stated criteria are met.

  minimum lot size: 2 to 5 acres (Depending on percolator test results; less than two acres may be permitted when percolator results so indicate and/or a special waste disposal system is designed and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, when approved by the Town Board.)

  “The minimum lot size for all buildings shall be two acres to five acres depending on percolator test results. Where the results of percolator tests so indicate and/or a special waste disposal system is designed and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer, lot sizes of less than two acres may be permitted when approved by the Town Board.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Buildings in nonindustrial, nonbusiness residential districts inside Nichols town.

  • For corner lots, the 75-foot setback applies to the front only; specified accessory buildings may use the stated reduced side and rear setback.

  street-centerline setback: >= 75 feet (Nonindustrial, nonbusiness residential districts; corner-lot exception applies.) · side and rear setback: >= 40 feet (Nonhabitable accessory buildings such as detached garages and tool sheds may be 20 feet or more from side and rear lot lines.)

  “In nonindustrial, nonbusiness residential districts, each building shall be set back at least 75 feet from the center line of any public street or road, except for corner lots where the seventy-five-foot setback will apply to the front of the building only. All structures must be a minimum of 40 feet from side and rear lot lines. However, nonhabitable (animal or human) accessory buildings such as detached garages and tool sheds may be located 20 feet or more from the side and rear lot lines.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Buildings and structures in every district or zone inside Nichols town.

  • A greater height requires a special permit granted by the Town of Nichols Zoning Board of Appeals; permit procedures are specified in § 194-45.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet (Except by special permit granted by the Town of Nichols Zoning Board of Appeals.)

  “No building or structure of any type, in any district or zone, shall exceed 35 feet in height, except by special permit granted by the Town of Nichols Zoning Board of Appeals. Permit procedures shall be those specified in § 194-45 of this chapter.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic-system inspections associated with the Town building-permit application inside Nichols town.

  • This finding addresses the Town's documented inspection role, not a separate septic-permit rule.

  “We hereby agree to notify the Inspector for the following inspections: Sewer Systems Inspections (septic systems).”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Septic systems included in a Town building-permit application inside Nichols town.

  • Applicant agrees to notify the inspector.

  “We hereby agree to notify the Inspector for the following inspections: Sewer Systems Inspections (septic systems).”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Structures and land excavation or filling in areas of special flood hazard within Nichols town.

  • Applies within areas of special flood hazard; an approved variance under Article VI is the stated exception to full compliance.

  “A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in this community for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and insuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding. It shall be unlawful to undertake any development in an area of special flood hazard, as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, enumerated in § 114-6, without a valid floodplain development permit.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Permits to erect, alter, or install a mobile home or permanent structure inside Nichols town.

  • Applicant supplies plans and specifications; applicable ordinances and codes must be complied with; the permit expires in one year unless substantial progress is made.

  permit expiration: 1 year (Unless substantial progress is made.)

  “Application is hereby made for a permit to erect, alter or install a mobile home or permanent structure described below and detailed in the plans and specifications attached hereto. [...] PERMIT EXPIRES IN ONE YEAR UNLESS SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IS MADE”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Nichols town.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Nichols town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Nichols town.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Nichols town.
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Nichols 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.