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

Village of Lansing’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code inside Lansing village

  • Subdivision (b) lists exemptions (not reviewed in detail).
  • Permit issued by the village code enforcement officer.

  “a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the uniform code and/or the energy code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Lansing village

  • Chapter 75 replaced the former chapter by L.L. No. 11-2022.

  “this chapter 75 provides for the administration and enforcement of the new york state uniform fire prevention and building code (the uniform code) and the state energy conservation construction code (the energy code) in the village of lansing.”

• Local zoningPresent

  All land inside Lansing village (Tompkins County), NY

  • Code PDF is marked March 2026; original adoption 11-15-1976 as L.L. No. 6-1976, amended in its entirety 4-11-1984.

  “this chapter may be referred to and cited as the "village of lansing zoning law."”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Lansing village (LDR, MDR, HDR, CLT, CMT, CHT, BTD, RSH, HHSD plus combining districts)

  • All uses not specifically listed in the district sections or chart of uses are expressly prohibited (§ 145-38).

  “all uses not specifically set forth in this section or in the chart of uses, § 145-81, or described as typical uses in categories in § 145-82 are expressly prohibited.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Septic systems in unsewered areas of Lansing village

  • The most restrictive or higher standards shall apply.

  “all septic systems in unsewered areas are subject to tompkins county public health department and village specification and approval on a lot by lot basis. the most restrictive or higher standards shall apply.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Septic systems in unsewered areas of Lansing village

  • Approval by both Tompkins County Public Health Department and the village; most restrictive standard applies.

  “all septic systems in unsewered areas are subject to tompkins county public health department and village specification and approval on a lot by lot basis.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of lots inside Lansing village

  • Village also has a separate Chapter 125 Subdivision of Land (not opened).

  “no lot may be reduced by subdivision to create any residual lot which does not meet the requirements of this chapter.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Lansing village
• Inspections — Construction inspections inside Lansing village
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Lansing village
• Minimum dwelling size — LDR district
• Minimum lot size — LDR district

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.