Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Groton, New York

Village of Groton’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Groton village, Tompkins County, NY

  • Chapter 200 of the village code; article III provisions apply to all zoning districts

  “this chapter shall hereafter be known and cited as the "zoning law of the village of groton."”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Minimum lot sizes in Groton village zoning districts (per-district figures not yet read)

  • Where public sewer and/or water are not available, health department minimum lot size standards take precedence over less restrictive provisions of the chapter
  • Where sewers are likely within five years, public-sewer lot rules may apply if every other lot is left vacant and the county health department approves

  “minimum lot sizes specified in this chapter shall be subject to approval and modification by the tompkins county health department to meet applicable health department regulations.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Occupancy of parked recreational and/or utility vehicles inside Groton village

  • Guest occupancy only, on the host's property, in a properly designed and equipped vehicle located per § 200-18.2
  • Residential use beyond 30 days requires a special use permit
  • RVs may not be used as storage facility, play structure or accessory building
  • Must not be parked in front setback unless no reasonable access to side/rear yards; at least five feet from property boundaries if not in a building
  • Inoperable, dismantled or unregistered vehicles not allowed in residential districts

  guest RV occupancy limit without special use permit: <= 30 days (longer residential use requires special use permit)

  “guests may reside in a recreational and/or utility vehicle properly located, in accordance with this section, on the host's property on a temporary basis, not to exceed 30 days.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Groton or Tompkins County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits inside Groton village
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Groton village
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Groton village
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Groton village
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Groton village

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.