North Hempstead, NY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Under § 2-9B, an application must be submitted through the Building Department's online portal and include the Tax Map number and street address, a statement of the proposed use, the valuation of the work, the names and addresses of the owner and applicant, plans and specifications, and, where Part 617 of Title 6 NYCRR applies, an environmental assessment form. Owners and applicants must also disclose whether the soils or groundwater on the property are contaminated by hazardous waste and whether the lot is subject to a state Department of Environmental Conservation consent order, per § 2-9B(8); the Building Commissioner will not issue a permit if the applicant is out of compliance with such an order.

Once the Building Commissioner finds the work compliant under § 2-10, the Commissioner approves the application, endorses both sets of plans "approved," keeps one on file, and returns the other to be kept at the job site for inspection at all reasonable times. A building permit authorizes work to begin within three months of issuance; if work has not started by then the project is deemed abandoned under § 2-11A, and any project not finished within two years is likewise deemed abandoned absent good cause.

Fees follow § 2-28: no permit issues until paid, and the applicant owes a nonrefundable $250 initial application fee credited toward the final assessed cost the Commissioner calculates. Section 2-9A exempts one-story detached tool and storage sheds and playhouses under 144 square feet, temporary motion-picture and theater sets, exterior window awnings, interior painting, wallpapering, tiling and carpeting, and listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating or cooling equipment from the permit requirement.