Environmental Rules in Huntington, NY

If you live in Huntington or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Huntington has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Vehicle Idling Restrictions

Huntington's Traffic Code makes it unlawful to park, stand or leave a vehicle idling on any sidewalk, walkway, median divider or island, or anywhere outside a marked parking space. The rule sits inside § TC3-3's general parking restrictions and applies townwide, outside the incorporated villages.

Key details: Governing section: § TC3-3(F), Traffic Code. Prohibited locations: Sidewalks, walkways, medians, traffic islands. Also barred: Idling anywhere outside a marked space. Enforcement: Traffic Violations Bureau, Dept. of Public Safety. Applies to: Unincorporated Town area only, not villages.

A violation of § TC3-3(F) is a parking violation heard by the Traffic Violations Bureau created under Chapter TC7, which can impose a fine and, on a guilty finding, has no discretion to reduce it. A vehicle left idling in violation of this section may also be removed by the Department of Public Safety under § TC6-2(C), with towing and storage billed under § TC6-3.

Erosion Control

Huntington requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan before any building permit, site plan or subdivision is approved for land disturbance of one acre or more under Town Code § 170-24. The Stormwater Management Officer can halt work with a stop-work order, and violators face the same escalating criminal fines as Chapter 170's illicit-discharge rules.

Key details: Governing law: Huntington Code Ch. 170, Art. II. Disturbance threshold: 43,560 sq ft (1 acre). Plan required: SWPPP before any building permit. Sediment removal trigger: 50% capacity loss in traps/ponds. Inspection frequency: Every 7 days on large sites.

Under § 170-47(B), the Stormwater Management Officer or a designee may issue a stop-work order halting all land development activity except remedial work; tampering with a posted stop-work order is a strict-liability violation and can trigger revocation of the building permit. Section 170-49(A) then applies Chapter 170's standard penalty ladder: a first offense runs $500 to $5,000, a second offense within five years runs $1,000 to $10,000, and a third or subsequent offense within five years is a misdemeanor carrying $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months in jail, with each day of continued violation a separate offense and civil penalties up to $250 per day available to the Town Attorney on top of criminal fines.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Huntington actively enforces its erosion control requirements.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Anyone building or substantially improving a structure in a Huntington flood hazard zone must document the actual finished elevation. A licensed professional engineer or land surveyor certifies the as-built lowest-floor elevation, referenced to mean sea level, and files it with the Town's Local Administrator.

Key details: Certification required by: licensed professional engineer or land surveyor. Datum used: mean sea level. Filed with: Local Administrator (Dir. of Engineering Services). Trigger: completion of the lowest floor. Tied to: issuance of certificate of occupancy.

Failing to obtain or file the required elevation certificate is an infraction of the permit conditions under § 168-40(A), punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, up to 15 days imprisonment, or both, with every day of continued non-compliance a separate offense. The Local Administrator may also withhold the certificate of occupancy and issue a stop-work order under § 168-39 until certified data is supplied.

Stormwater Management

Huntington bans dumping anything but stormwater into the Town's MS4 storm sewer system under Town Code Chapter 170, Article I. A first offense carries a fine of $500 to $5,000, rising to $1,000-$10,000 for a second offense and a misdemeanor with up to six months in jail for a third within five years.

Key details: Governing law: Huntington Code Ch. 170, Art. I. Adopted: 12-4-2007 by L.L. No. 45-2007. First-offense fine: $500 to $5,000. Third-offense penalty: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months jail. Enforcing officer: Stormwater Management Officer (Director of Maritime Services).

Section 170-19 sets a first-offense fine of $500 to $5,000, a second offense within five years at $1,000 to $10,000, and a third or subsequent offense within five years as a misdemeanor punishable by $1,500 to $15,000 or up to six months in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the Bureau of Administrative Adjudication may impose the same monetary ranges. The Town Attorney may also pursue civil penalties up to $500 per day plus injunctive relief and legal fees.

This is one of the stricter rules in Huntington's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Boat Dock Permits

No dock, pier, bulkhead, seawall, jetty or other marine structure may be built or reconstructed over town-owned underwater land or private waterfront land in Huntington without a Marine Conservation and Regulation of Marine Structures permit from the Department of Maritime Services under Town Code § 137-34. Applications for new construction trigger a public hearing before the Town Board.

Key details: Permit required for: Docks, piers, bulkheads, seawalls, jetties. Issuing agency: Department of Maritime Services. New-construction review: Conservation Board, then Town Board hearing. Hearing notice: 10 days published, owners within 500 feet. Permit term: Runs concurrent with NYS DEC permit.

Under § 137-67(B)(3), violating this article, aside from Article VIII mooring rules, is punishable by a fine of $250 to $5,000, or up to 15 days imprisonment, or both, for a first offense, rising to $1,500 to $10,000, or up to 15 days imprisonment, or both, for a second or subsequent offense within five years, with each day of continuation a separate offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Huntington's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Flood Zones

Any construction, filling, grading, or excavation within a Huntington special flood hazard area requires a floodplain development building permit from the Town's Local Administrator before work begins, under Town Code Chapter 168. The permit application rides on the standard building permit with no added fee, though the Local Administrator can demand a deposit of up to $1,500 to cover extraordinary review and inspection costs.

Key details: Permit authority: Director of Engineering Services (Local Administrator). Permit fee: No extra fee; deposit up to $1,500 for review. First-offense penalty: $1,000-$5,000 fine or up to 15 days jail. Stop-work violation: Up to $15,000 fine and 9 months (3rd offense). Variance authority: Zoning Board of Appeals grants floodplain variances.

Building, filling, or grading in a flood hazard area without a permit is punishable under § 168-40(A) by a $1,000 to $5,000 fine, up to 15 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense. Disregarding a stop-work order is a misdemeanor under § 168-40(B), rising from $500-$5,000 and three months on a first offense to $1,500-$15,000 and nine months on a third within five years. The Town Attorney may also pursue civil penalties of $250 per day plus attorney fees (§ 168-40(C), (D)).

The Bottom Line

Huntington is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Huntington, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Huntington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.