Bolthole Index

Westchester County, New York

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

The Village of Bronxville, New York requires a building permit from its Superintendent of Buildings before construction, alteration, moving or demolition1. Bronxville also has its own zoning, with districts from One-Family Residence AAA to Six-Story Multiple Residence D2. We could not confirm who approves on-site septic systems inside the village; ask the Westchester County Department of Health3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the Village Superintendent of Buildings1
Zoning
Village zoning with residence, multiple-residence and business districts2
Permit fees
New buildings $425 plus $15 per $1,000 of estimated cost; alterations $150 plus $15 per $1,0004
Decision time
Within 60 days of submission unless the law allows longer5
Flood zones
Floodplain development permit required6
Septic
Not confirmed inside the village; county Department of Health is the contact3
RV living
No general rule confirmed; flood-zone limits apply7

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Bronxville, Superintendent of Buildings (Village Hall)

Building permits, inspections and zoning enforcement inside the village

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management

Septic contractor licensing and the county septic program

(914) 995-7285

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Bronxville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Bronxville, New York?

Yes. Inside the Village of Bronxville, a separate building permit is required for each building or structure, and it must be obtained from the Superintendent of Buildings before work begins1. The rule covers construction, alteration, moving, demolition and a change in occupancy1.

The Superintendent must approve or disapprove a complete application within 60 days of submission, or a longer period where the law allows5. Application fees for new buildings start at $425 plus $15 per $1,000 of estimated cost, and alterations start at $150 plus the same per-$1,000 charge4. Permitted work is inspected, and a certificate of occupancy is required for work that needed a permit89.

Who issues building permits in Bronxville, and how do you reach them?

The Village's Superintendent of Buildings administers and enforces the Village's building rules and acts as its Building Inspector10. We could not confirm a current direct phone number for the building office, so call Village Hall to be routed.

The county does not issue building permits for land inside the village. New York requires every local government outside New York City to enforce the State Uniform Code, and in Westchester County enforcement ordinarily runs through the city, town or village11.

Does Bronxville have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Bronxville divides the village into districts including One-Family Residence AAA, AA and A, Two-, Three- and Six-Story Multiple Residence districts, and several business districts2. The zoning map is kept up to date in the offices of the Superintendent of Buildings and the Village Clerk12.

In the One-Family Residence AAA District, a front yard must be at least 40 feet deep, with a rear yard of at least 45 feet13. Side yards must be at least 25 feet, with exceptions for corner lots and dwellings without a garage13. Buildings may cover no more than 17.5% of the lot14 and may not exceed 30 feet or 2.5 stories, with stated exceptions15. Other districts have different numbers, so check the district for your parcel.

We could not confirm village rules on accessory dwellings, tiny homes or short-term rentals; ask the Superintendent of Buildings before relying on any of them.

How do septic permits work in Bronxville?

We could not confirm a village rule on on-site septic systems. The Village sewer chapter we reviewed addresses only connections to the Wood End Lane Common Force Main16.

For septic, New York approval may come from the city or county health department or a district office of the State Department of Health before construction17. In Westchester County, the Department of Health licenses septic contractors3 and its engineers review and permit new subsurface sewage treatment systems18. Ask the County Department of Health before assuming any parcel can use a septic system.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Bronxville?

We could not confirm a village rule on RV living or tiny homes. The only RV provision we found is in the flood chapter: in flood zones A1-A30, AE and AH, a recreational vehicle must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the manufactured-home rules7. Manufactured homes in those zones need the lowest floor at or above base-flood elevation and a secure anchored foundation19. For a house, an RV or a tiny home, ask the Superintendent of Buildings first.

Building a home in Bronxville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and bulk limits with the Superintendent of Buildings12.
  2. Check whether the parcel is in a flood zone; if so, a floodplain development permit is required6.
  3. Apply for a building permit before any work begins1.
  4. Pay the published fee4.
  5. Keep work exposed for the required inspections8.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before moving in9.

What stays with Westchester County, and what to check before you buy

Septic licensing and review sit with the Westchester County Department of Health3. Land outside the village is a different question; see the Westchester County page. Westchester County's typical home value is $879,21920 and its median property tax bill is $10,001 per year21. A driveway onto a state highway needs a NYSDOT permit22.

Watch-outs

  • Flood-zone parcels need a floodplain development permit, and unpermitted work is subject to a stop-work order6.
  • We could not confirm village rules on owner-builder work, subdivisions, or driveways; ask the Superintendent of Buildings10.
  • Westchester County is among the places where a local government may license home-improvement contractors, so check contractor licensing before hiring23.

Sources

  1. Chapter 112: Building Construction - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article II: Establishment of Districts; Map - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  4. Chapter A321: Fees Schedule - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 112: Building Construction - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 156: Flood Damage Prevention - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 156: Flood Damage Prevention - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 112: Building Construction - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Part 1203 Uniform Code and the Energy Code: Minimum Standards for Administration and Enforcement (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Village of Bronxville, Superintendent of Buildings (Village Hall) (ecode360.com)
  11. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: What Elected Officials Need to Know, quoted and re-checked
  12. Article II: Establishment of Districts; Map - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article III: District Use and Bulk Regulations - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article III: District Use and Bulk Regulations - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article III: District Use and Bulk Regulations - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 231: Sewers - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  17. State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit Program (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Westchester County Code § 873.2405 — Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  19. Chapter 156: Flood Damage Prevention - Village of Bronxville, NY (Village of Bronxville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Residential Driveway Permits (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Bronxville

Village of Bronxville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, moving, demolition, or a change in occupancy of a building or structure inside Bronxville village.

    • A separate permit is required for each building or structure and must be obtained from the Superintendent of Buildings before work begins.
    “without first obtaining a separate building permit”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction, alteration, moving, or demolition inside Bronxville village.

    • The Superintendent may instead accept and rely on written field-test reports from experienced professionals, accredited testing laboratories, service bureaus, or agencies.
    “He or she shall make such inspections as are necessary or appropriate to determine compliance with the provisions of all laws, rules or regulations applicable to the construction, alteration, moving or demolition of buildings or other structures.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bronxville village.

    • Buildings and land must conform to the regulations, requirements, and restrictions for their zoning district.
    “The Village of Bronxville is hereby divided into the following districts: One-Family Residence AAA District One-Family Residence AA District One-Family Residence A District Two-Story Multiple Residence B District Three-Story Multiple Residence C District Six-Story Multiple Residence D District Central Business A District Service Business B District Controlled Development CD District Central Business A Transition District”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Bronxville village.

    • The zoning-map boundaries are adopted as part of Chapter 310 and kept up to date in the offices of the Superintendent of Buildings and Village Clerk.
    “1995 Zoning Map of the Village of Bronxville”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Village building permits and related applications inside Bronxville village.

    • New-building and alteration fees are calculated from estimated cost in addition to their base charge; the schedule also publishes other permit and application fees.

    new-building permit base fee: 425 USD (Plus $15 per $1,000 of estimated cost.) · alteration permit base fee: 150 USD (Plus $15 per $1,000 of estimated cost.)

    “$425, plus $15/$1,000 of estimated cost.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Bronxville village.

    • The Superintendent may waive unnecessary application requirements in writing; the application may be disapproved if proposed work does not conform to Chapter 112, zoning laws, or other applicable laws, rules, or regulations.

    application decision period: <= 60 days from submission (Or such longer period as may be required or permitted by law.)

    “The Superintendent of Buildings shall examine or cause to be examined all applications for building permits and all plans, specifications and other documents filed therewith. He or she shall approve or disapprove the application within 60 days from the date of submission of the application or within such longer period as may be required or permitted by law.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Bronxville

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

  • SetbacksSpecified

    One-Family Residence AAA District inside Bronxville village.

    • Front-yard projection is allowed where all street-facing wall planes intersect the street line at least 25 degrees; specified side-yard reductions and accessory-building exceptions also apply.

    minimum front yard: >= 40 feet (May project to within 20 feet under the stated 25-degree wall-plane condition.) · minimum side yard: >= 25 feet (One side yard must be 30 feet for a dwelling without a garage; corner-lot condition applies.) · minimum rear yard: >= 45 feet

    “Front yard. There shall be a front yard along each street line with a depth of not less than 40 feet, except that, where the planes of all walls of a building facing the street intersect the street line at a minimum angle of 25° or more, such building may project to within 20 feet of the street line.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    One-Family Residence AAA District inside Bronxville village.

    • The stated exception is Subsection A(3) of § 310-8.

    maximum building coverage: <= 17.5 percent of lot area (Except as provided in § 310-8A(3).)

    “Maximum building coverage. Except as provided in Subsection A(3) of § 310-8, the sum of all areas covered by all principal and accessory buildings shall not exceed 17.5% of the area of the lot.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    One-Family Residence AAA District inside Bronxville village.

    • The exception in § 310-8A(3) applies; chimneys, flues, towers, bulkheads, spires, and decorative features have the stated coverage and lot-line conditions.

    maximum height: <= 30 feet (Except as provided in § 310-8A(3).) · maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories (At any point along the periphery of a building.)

    “Height. Except as provided in Subsection A(3) hereof, no building shall be erected to a height in excess of 30 feet, nor shall the number of stories at any point along the periphery of any building exceed 2 1/2.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles located in Zones A1-A30, AE, or AH inside Bronxville village.

    • The RV must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the stated manufactured-home requirements.

    consecutive days on site: < 180 days (One alternative for recreational vehicles in Zones A1-A30, AE, and AH.)

    “Be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days;”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes placed or substantially improved in Zones A1-A30, AE, or AH inside Bronxville village.

    • The lowest floor must be at or above base-flood elevation and the home must be securely anchored to an adequately anchored foundation system.
    “lowest floor is elevated to or above the base flood elevation”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Future direct connections to the Wood End Lane Common Force Main inside Bronxville village.

    • Connections must comply with the specified house-service connection/overflow-tank plans, dated June 15, 2021, last revised September 7, 2022, and approved by Westchester County Department of Health on November 7, 2022.
    “All future direct connections to the Wood End Lane Common Force Main”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain development inside Bronxville village.

    • Development must obtain a floodplain development permit; noncompliant or unpermitted development is subject to a stop-work order.
    “without a valid floodplain development permit”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Bronxville village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Bronxville village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bronxville village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Bronxville village.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Bronxville village.
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Bronxville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westchester County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Westchester County: county rules, score and offices