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1. When is a permit required?

A permit is required for any construction, repair, improvement, modification, or demolition. Contact the Building department for more information.

2. Why do I need a permit?

The purpose of a building permit is to control the type of construction and use of property. Building permits are based on the New York State Building Codes and Town of Greenburgh Codes, adopted to protect health, general welfare, and the investment in property. For more information, contact the Building department.

3. Do I need a permit to install a fence on a residential property?

No.  Fences can be installed without a building permit as long as the proposed fence meets the following regulations:

285-40C(5) - Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, the yard requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to prohibit any otherwise lawful fence or wall, provided that in any one-family residence district, no fence or wall shall exceed six feet in height in any front or side yard nor eight feet in height in any rear yard. [Amended 7-8-1987 by L.L. No. 3-1987]  

Note:  Corner lots Maximum fence height = 30 inches (corner side and front)  - except if fence is located 20 feet in from the corner/front property lines.

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4. Can I have a Home Occupation in a Single-Family?

Home occupations are defined as any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on only by the residents thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes, does not change the character thereof, does not have any exterior evidence of such secondary use, other than a permitted nameplate, and does not involve merchandising, trade, commercial repair or service, manufacturing or processing or the exchanging of commodities by sale. Any business enterprise or activity which shall require a license of the county or state shall be deemed not to be a home occupation. Regulations for home occupations can be found in the Zoning Ordinance under sections 285-36C and parking requirements under 285-38

Additionally, New York State Appendix J states (AJ102.5):  A home occupation shall be conducted wholly within the primary structure on the premises with the following conditions:

Conditions.

1. The home occupation shall meet all requirements for habitable space and shall not exceed 15 percent of the floor area of the primary structure.

2. No more than one person not residing in the dwelling unit may be employed in the home occupation.

3. Inventory and supplies shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the area permitted to be used as a home occupation.

4. The home occupation shall not involve any operation considered to be hazardous.

5. Can I have a professional office in a single or multi-family residence?

A Building Permit is required for the use of a professional office in a single or multi family residence, including a site plan showing required parking and landscaping, a floor plan detailing the layout of professional office and a copy of the professional's New York State license

General Information

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE  -- An office for a person who practices an occupation in which some department of science or learning is applied to the affairs of others, either advising or guiding them, or otherwise serving their interests or welfare in the practice of an art founded on such knowledge. The word "professional" implies attainments in knowledge, as distinguished from mere skill, and the application of such knowledge to serve others. A professional license issued by the State of New York or validated membership in a national professional organization may be considered sufficient, but not necessary, to establish the status of a professional person. (§ 285-5 Definitions)

REQUIRED PARKING - §285-38 Professional office in a residence three (3) per office or two (2) for each professional maintaining office hours for consultation, whichever is greater, in addition to that required for the residential use (two (2) per dwelling unit)   

REQUIRED LANDSCAPING - § - 285-38H(2)  -  Landscape strips with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided between any additional parking spaces required by this chapter for home occupations and professional offices in residence and all property lines of such uses except as required in § 285-40A(4) of this chapter. Such landscape strips shall comply with the following minimum standards as well as all applicable requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter:   

(a)      Said landscape strips shall include evergreen planting and other landscaping of such type, height, spacing and arrangement as, in the judgment of the Planning Board, will effectively screen the activity of the lot from the neighboring uses.   

(b)     Unless specifically required elsewhere in this chapter, a wall or fence of location, height, design and materials approved by the Planning Board may be substituted for part or all of the required landscape strips.   

(c)      Where the existing topography and/or existing landscaping provides adequate screening, the Planning Board may waive or modify the planting and/or landscape requirements of this chapter.      

Regulations for Professional Office in a Single-Family 

§285-36D.     Professional offices in single-family detached residences, where permitted, shall comply with the following:

(1)      Said office shall be conducted by a professional residing on the premises. Not more than two nonresident assistants shall be employed by any such professional resident.  

(2)      Said office shall be incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the building and shall not occupy more than 50% of the area of the ground floor of the principal building. No office shall be conducted in an accessory building.  

(3)      In no manner shall the appearance of the building be altered or shall the office within the residence be conducted in a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential character, either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, sizes or the emission of sounds, noises or vibrations.  

(4)      The professional office shall not increase the vehicular traffic flow by more than one additional vehicle at a time and shall not involve the use or outdoor storage of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to and from the premises.  

(5)      No professional office shall create noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, electrical interference, fire hazard or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater extent or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in the district under circumstances wherein no professional office were to exist.  

Regulations for Professional Office in a Multi-Family Residence

§285-36E.      Professional offices in multifamily dwellings, where permitted, shall comply with the following:

(1)      Professional offices in multifamily dwellings shall be limited to the ground floor. For purposes of this subsection only, the words "ground floor" shall mean the first floor of residential use.  

(2)      In no manner shall the exterior appearance of the residential unit or the common areas of the building be altered, nor shall the office within the residence be conducted in such a manner that would cause the premises to differ from the residential character of the building or the appearance of other residential units in the building.  

(3)      No professional office in a multifamily building shall exceed in size the largest unit used for residential purposes.  

(4)      No professional office shall create noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, electrical interference, fire hazard or any other hazard or nuisance in excess of that usually experienced in the district under circumstances wherein no professional office were to exist.  

(5)      All professional offices must register with the Building Department and obtain a permit from the Building Inspector. All existing offices as of the date of this Subsection E shall have one calendar year to register and obtain said permit.  

(6)      Professional offices in multifamily buildings established prior to the effective date of this subsection shall not be held to regulations more restrictive than those in effect at which time said offices were constructed, except that said offices shall be required to comply with the registration provisions with the Building Department per Subsection E(5) above.    

6. Do I need a permit to install a shed?

Yes.   All sizes of sheds require a building permit.  

Please download the building permit application and review requirements for shed placement on a residential property.  

Please note that only one shed is allowed per lot and is restricted to the rear yard.

 A shed cannot exceed 150 square feet and cannot be higher than 10 feet.  If the shed is 100 square feet or less, it must be located  a minimum of 3 feet from the property line, sheds  over 100 square feet but less than 150 square feet must be located 5 feet from the rear and side property lines.

 

7. Do I need a permit to re-pave my driveway?

If you are simply repaving an existing driveway, no permit is required.  If you plan to enlarge or reconfigure the driveway a building permit is required.  

 Please note that repaving, enlargement/reconfiguration of driveways may require  a curb cut permit and a permit to work in the right-of way may be required from the Department of Public Works.  Please contact DPW to determine what permits are required (914-993-1574).

8. Do I need a permit to replace or repair a roof?

Single-Family Residence

Replacement of shingles only does not require a building permit.  If the shingles, underlayment and plywood need to be removed, a building permit is required.  A detailed list of materials that are to be used is required with the submission.  Alterations to roof structure require a building permit with drawings prepared by a New York State licensed design professional.

Commercial and Multi-Family Residences

A building permit is required for the addition of or replacement of roofing materials on commercial and multi-family residences.  A detailed list of materials that are to be used is required with the submission.  Alterations to roof structure require a building permit with drawings prepared by a New York State licensed design professional.

9. What can I do about mold?

For information on how to clean, manage and prevent mold growth, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Protection's Website 

10. How do I make a complaint for no heat or hot water?

If you are renting an apartment or home or are working in an area that has no heat or think the heat is below what is required, you may file a complaint form and call  914-989-1565 or 914-989-1637. 

 IPMC

602.3 Heat supply.

 Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory or guestroom on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from September 15th to May 31st to maintain a temperature of not less than 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms.

  

 Exception: When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required, provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. The winter design dry-bulb temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State .

  

602.4 Occupiable work spaces.

 Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat during the period from September 15th to May 31st to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during the period the spaces are occupied.

  

 Exceptions:

  

 1. Processing, storage and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.

  

 2. Areas in which persons are primarily engaged in vigorous physical activities.

11. Do I need a permit to remove or abandon an oil storage tank?

Yes.  A tank removal/abandonment permit is required for either the abandonment or removal of tanks used for storing heating oil.  In order to remove or abandon an oil storage tank, the contractor must perform the following:

1. The entire contents of the heating oil storage tank and related piping shall be emptied, cleaned and purged of all vapor. The contents of the storage tank and related piping shall be removed from the premises or property and disposed of in accordance with applicable county, state or federal rules and regulations;

2. If the heating oil storage tank is to be abandoned in place, the event line shall remain open and intact, unless the tank is filled with an inert material. The oil fill pipe and other related piping shall either be removed, or the oil fill pipe shall be filled with concrete;

3. If the heating oil storage tank is to be removed, the vent line, oil fill pipe and related piping shall also be removed, or the oil fill pipe shall be filled with concrete;

4. An inspection shall be made of the abandonment or removal in connection with the conversion to determine conformity with the uniform code; and

5. No certificate of completion of such abandonment or removal shall be granted unless written proof of the heating oil storage tank’s oil fill pipe having been removed and disposed of properly or filled with concrete in accordance appropriate provisions of the uniform code has been provided by the property owner to the inspector.

12. How to file a complaint?

The Building Department handles complaints of the Uniform Code, Zoning and Town Codes. If you have a complaint or concern about any property in the unincorporated Town of Greenburgh, complete the complaint form and email, fax (914-993-1570) or mail the complaint to the Building Department.