County Building Permits
Westchester County, NY - Unincorporated Area Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Westchester County, New York. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Westchester County does not operate a single countywide building-permit office for ordinary private construction. Permits are administered by the applicable city, town, village, or coterminous town-village with jurisdiction over the parcel.
- Department
- Westchester County Building Department Contact List
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Determine the applicable city, town, village, or coterminous town-village with jurisdiction over the parcel.
- Consult the Westchester County local building department contact list for the correct office.
- Apply to the applicable local government building or code-enforcement office.
- Submit all required documents per local jurisdiction requirements.
- Pay local permit and plan-check fees.
- Schedule and pass required inspections.
- Obtain certificate of occupancy or use.
Typical processing time: Varies by jurisdiction; typically 2-8 weeks.
General Requirements
Building permits are required for all covered construction, alteration, and related work subject to the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Energy Code as adopted by the local jurisdiction.
- Permit validity
- Varies by jurisdiction.
- Building code
- New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (2025 update effective December 31, 2025)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder requirements vary by jurisdiction.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor licensing and bonding requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Fees
- Payment note
- Fee structure varies by jurisdiction.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Westchester County Building Department Contact List to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Additional Resources
- Building code: New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (2025 update effective December 31, 2025)
- New York Department of State - Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
- License lookup guide: New York Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: New York Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- New York hub: New York Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Westchester County Building Department Contact List before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Westchester County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Westchester County, NY?
- Building permits are required for all covered construction, alteration, and related work subject to the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Energy Code as adopted by the local jurisdiction.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Westchester County, NY?
- 1. Determine the applicable city, town, village, or coterminous town-village with jurisdiction over the parcel. 2. Consult the Westchester County local building department contact list for the correct office. 3. Apply to the applicable local government building or code-enforcement office. 4. Submit all required documents per local jurisdiction requirements. 5. Pay local permit and plan-check fees. 6. Schedule and pass required inspections. 7. Obtain certificate of occupancy or use.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Westchester County, NY?
- Typical processing time is Varies by jurisdiction; typically 2-8 weeks..
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