Clarkstown, NY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Issued by
- Code Enforcement Officer
- Must commence work within
- 6 months of issuance
- Permit expires
- 18 months after issuance
- Shed exemption
- one-story, detached, ≤144 sq ft
- Pool exemption
- aboveground pools under 24 in. deep
- First-offense fine
- up to $2,500/day (§ 109-18)
Summary
Clarkstown requires a building permit from the Code Enforcement Officer for any construction, enlargement, alteration or demolition governed by the Uniform Code or Energy Code before work starts. A dozen listed categories, from small storage sheds to certain repairs, are exempt, and issued permits lapse if work is not begun within six months or completed within 18.
§ 109-4. Building permits.
A. 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. No person shall commence any work for which a building permit is required without first having obtained a building permit from the Town.
J. Time limits. Building permits shall become invalid unless the authorized work is commenced within six months following the date of issuance. Building permits shall expire 18 months after the date of issuance.
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 109-4A requires a building permit for work that must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code, expressly including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, or demolition of any building or structure, and installing a solid-fuel heating appliance, chimney or flue in a dwelling unit; no one may start such work without first obtaining the permit. Subsection B exempts a specific list: detached storage/tool sheds and playhouses under 144 square feet for one- and two-family homes, temporary movie/theater sets, window awnings, low partitions under five feet nine inches, finish work like painting and tiling, listed portable equipment, in-kind equipment replacement, fire/egress-neutral repairs, playground swings, aboveground pools under 24 inches deep, fences not enclosing a pool, and most retaining walls.
Subsection C clarifies an exemption is not a license to build noncompliant work. § 109-4L ties the permit fee to the fee schedule in § 109-19.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit, or in violation of an issued permit, is enforced under § 109-18: a fine of up to $2,500 per day or part-day of continuing violation (or up to 15 days imprisonment) for a first offense, rising to $2,500-$5,000 for a second offense within 18 months, $7,500-$10,000 for a third, and $10,000-$15,000 for a fourth or subsequent offense within 18 months of the prior conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put up a small storage shed in Clarkstown?
How long is a Clarkstown building permit good for?
What documents does a Clarkstown building permit application need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clarkstown
New York rules heatmap·Compare Clarkstown to another location·View the New York building safety overview
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