Bolthole Index

Westchester County, New York

Building permits, zoning and land rules in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY

The Village of Sleepy Hollow, New York requires a building permit for work that must meet the state Uniform Code1. The village adopted its own zoning code2, and living or sleeping in an RV anywhere in the village is unlawful3. We could not confirm who approves septic systems inside the village; Westchester County's Department of Health is the office to ask.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for work that must meet the Uniform Code; the Building Inspector issues it1
Zoning
The village has its own zoning chapter, districts and zoning map24
RV living
Unlawful anywhere in the village, except in an established trailer park3
Certificate of occupancy
Required for work done under a building permit5
Subdivision
Regulated, with sketch, preliminary and final plat stages6
Floodplain
A floodplain development permit is required in mapped special flood hazard areas7
Septic
Not confirmed for village lots; ask the Westchester County Department of Health8
Permit fees
Set by resolution of the Board of Trustees; the building-permit fee is due with the application9

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Sleepy Hollow Building Department (Department of Architecture)

Issues building permits and certificates of occupancy or compliance inside the village, and enforces the Uniform Code

914-366-5124

28 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management

Licenses septic contractors and runs the county's septic program

(914) 995-7285

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health, Realty Subdivision and Land Development Review

Reviews and permits subdivision plans and new subsurface sewage treatment systems across Westchester County

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 Sleepy Hollow means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Sleepy Hollow, NY?

Yes. Inside the Village of Sleepy Hollow, a building permit is required for any work that must conform to the Uniform Code or the Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, removal or demolition of a building or structure1. That includes new residential construction.

The village lists a short set of exemptions, such as certain repairs valued at $2,500 or less, but an exemption never authorizes work that violates the codes, and the repair exemption does not cover structural, egress, building-system or fire-protection work1. Work may not start until the Building Inspector issues the permit1.

After construction, a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance is required for work done under a building permit5. We could not confirm any owner-builder exemption from village permits; ask the Building Department before you plan to do the work yourself.

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

The Village of Sleepy Hollow issues its own building permits; Westchester County does not. The village Building Department, run through its Department of Architecture, issues all construction-related permits and certificates of occupancy or compliance10. Call 914-366-5124 or visit 28 Beekman Avenue10.

Applications are written on a form the Building Inspector provides or accepts, signed by the owner or an authorized agent, and include the Tax Map number, street address and at least three sets of construction documents11. The building-permit fee is paid when you submit the application9, and the Board of Trustees sets the fee schedule by resolution9.

Does Sleepy Hollow have zoning?

Yes. The village adopted its own zoning chapter (Chapter 450) and applies it to land inside village limits2. The code lists zoning districts and a zoning map, and links a Schedule of Regulations4. Westchester County does not zone; zoning is handled by each city, town and village12.

We could not confirm the numbers that matter most to a buyer, including minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, height limits and whether accessory dwelling units are allowed. Those depend on the district your parcel sits in, so pull the Schedule of Regulations from the village code and confirm with the Building Department's zoning inspector before you buy.

Subdividing a lot in the village is regulated and moves through sketch-plat, preliminary-plat and final-plat stages6.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Sleepy Hollow?

No RV. Village law makes it unlawful to occupy any camper, trailer, recreational vehicle, motor home or motor vehicle for living or sleeping anywhere in the village, or to connect one to electric, water, gas or sewer, except in a duly established trailer park3. Living in an RV on your lot while you build is therefore not an option.

We could not confirm any rule on tiny-home occupancy or short-term rentals inside the village. Ask the Building Department before you buy or build one.

How do septic permits work in Sleepy Hollow?

We could not confirm who approves septic systems on village lots, or whether a given lot is on sewer. Many village addresses may connect to public sewer, but the village code material we reviewed did not state a connection rule.

What is clear: Westchester County's Department of Health reviews and permits new subsurface sewage treatment systems across the county13, and licenses septic contractors14. New York State rules also require health-department approval of plans before building an alternative system15. Call the county Department of Health at (914) 995-7285 before assuming either answer for your address16.

Building a home in Sleepy Hollow: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district and the Schedule of Regulations with the Building Department4.
  2. Check whether the lot is in a mapped flood hazard area; development there needs a floodplain development permit7.
  3. Ask the County Department of Health about sewer or septic for the lot13.
  4. Submit a building permit application with construction documents and pay the fee11.
  5. Wait for the Building Inspector's permit before starting work1.
  6. Notify the Building Inspector when work is ready for inspection and keep it exposed until accepted17.
  7. Obtain the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance before moving in5.

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

The county does not issue building permits or set zoning for village land. It handles septic licensing and health review13, and its Planning Department only reviews certain actions that municipalities refer to it. For land outside the village, see the Westchester County page.

County-level numbers give context: Westchester County's effective property tax rate is about 1.6%18, and the typical home value is about $879,00019. Check flood maps, the zoning district and sewer status before you make an offer.

Watch-outs

  • Living in an RV is unlawful anywhere in Sleepy Hollow, including on your own lot during construction3.
  • Work must stay exposed until the Building Inspector inspects and accepts it, so do not close up walls early17.
  • We could not confirm the district lot-size, setback or accessory-dwelling rules; get them from the village Building Department before you buy4.
  • We could not confirm who handles septic approval inside the village; call the Westchester County Department of Health16.

Sources

  1. Article III: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 450: Zoning - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 405: Vehicles, Recreational - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 450: Zoning - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  5. Article III: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 425: Subdivision of Land - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 220: Flood Damage Prevention - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  8. Westchester County Code § 873.2405 — Definitions (2026 county census)
  9. Article III: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  10. Village of Sleepy Hollow Building Department (Department of Architecture) (sleepyhollowny.gov)
  11. Article III: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  12. Director of Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  13. Westchester County Department of Health, Realty Subdivision and Land Development Review (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  14. Westchester County Code § 873.2405 — Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  15. NYS Register March 18, 2015 Rule Making Activities — Standards for Individual Onsite Water Supply and Individual Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  17. Article III: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code - Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY (Village of Sleepy Hollow), quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

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 Sleepy Hollow

Village of Sleepy Hollow’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work inside Sleepy Hollow village that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including new residential construction.

    • Permit exemptions include specified playground equipment, above-ground portable pools under 24 inches deep, movable cases under five feet nine inches, finish work, listed portable equipment without permanent utility connections, and certain repairs valued at $2,500 or less.
    • An exemption does not authorize work that violates the Uniform Code or Energy Code.
    • Work may not commence until the Building Inspector issues the permit.

    repair-value exemption threshold: <= 2500 USD (Only if the repair does not involve listed structural, egress, building-system, or fire-protection-system work.)

    “Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, 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, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings, structures, and premises inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, other state law, or another section of Article III, all buildings, structures, and premises regardless of use or occupancy are subject to the article.
    “This article 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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • Inspections apply where applicable.
    • The permit holder must notify the Building Inspector when an identified work element is ready for inspection.
    • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    • The listed inspections include a final inspection after all work authorized by the permit is completed.
    “Work to remain accessible and exposed. Work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Building Inspector or by an inspector authorized by the Building Inspector. The permit holder shall notify the Building Inspector when any element of work described in Subsection B of this section is ready for inspection.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Work subject to a building permit and structures converted to another use or occupancy classification inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • A Building Inspector or authorized inspector must inspect before issuance.
    • Where applicable, structural-observation or final-special-inspection reports, flood-hazard certifications, as-built plans, and an as-built survey must be provided before issuance.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued only when specified safety, fire-protection, and egress conditions are satisfied, and may not exceed six months.

    temporary certificate maximum duration: <= 6 months (Duration is determined and specified by the Building Inspector.)

    “Certificates of occupancy/certificates of compliance required. A certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance shall be required for any work which is the subject of a building permit and for all structures, buildings, or portions thereof which are converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Sleepy Hollow village limits.

    • Chapter 450 was adopted by the Village Board of Trustees; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “Chapter 450 Zoning [HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow 9-8-1964 (Ch. 62 of the 1965 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • The Village code identifies both a list of districts and a zoning map.
    • The code also links an Attachment 1 Schedule of Regulations.
    “Article III Establishment of Districts; Zoning Map § 450-5 List of districts. § 450-6 Zoning Map.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Living or sleeping in a camper, camper-trailer, trailer, recreational vehicle, motor home, or motor vehicle anywhere inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • The prohibition does not apply in a duly established trailer park maintained according to Village laws.
    “It shall be unlawful to occupy any camper, camper-trailer, trailer, recreational vehicle, motor home or any motor vehicle for living or sleeping purposes or to cause any such vehicle to be connected to electric, water, gas or sanitary sewer facilities anywhere within the Village, except in a duly established trailer park maintained in accordance with the laws of the Village of Sleepy Hollow.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • The chapter's procedure identifies approval, sketch-plat, preliminary-plat, and final-plat stages.
    “Article III Procedure § 425-4 Approval required. § 425-5 Sketch plat. § 425-6 Preliminary plat. § 425-7 Final plat.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas of special flood hazard within Sleepy Hollow village.

    • The chapter applies only to areas of special flood hazard within Village jurisdiction.
    • No structure may be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered, and no land excavated or filled, without full compliance with the chapter and other applicable regulations.
    • The chapter identifies a floodplain-development-permit section and fees.
    “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 § 220-6, without a valid floodplain development permit.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits and related code-enforcement actions inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • The Building Inspector collects fees as set by the Village Board of Trustees.
    • The building-permit fee must be paid when submitting an application for a new, amended, or renewal permit.
    • Inspection fees must be paid before or at the time of each inspection.
    “A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village. Such fee schedule may thereafter be amended from time to time by like resolution.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Sleepy Hollow village.

    • Applications must be written on a form provided by or acceptable to the Building Inspector and signed by the owner or authorized agent.
    • Applications must contain information sufficient to determine compliance with Village Code, the Uniform Code, and the Energy Code.
    • Required material includes a work description, Tax Map number and street address, occupancy classification, special-inspection statement where applicable, and at least three construction-document sets.
    • The Building Inspector issues a permit if the proposed work complies with the Uniform Code and Energy Code.

    construction-document sets: >= 3 sets (Required as part of the application.)

    “Applications for building permits. Applications for a building permit shall be made in writing on a form provided by or otherwise acceptable to the Building Inspector. The application shall be signed by the owner of the property where the work is to be performed or an authorized agent of the owner.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Sleepy Hollow village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential zoning districts inside Sleepy Hollow village.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential zoning districts inside Sleepy Hollow village.
  • Setbacks — Residential zoning districts inside Sleepy Hollow village.
  • Lot coverage — Residential zoning districts inside Sleepy Hollow village.
14 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Sleepy Hollow publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westchester County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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