Southampton Village, NY Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

Article III of Chapter 43 sets the Village of Southampton's sustainable building regulations. Under § 43-12, a subject dwelling is any one- or two-family or multifamily dwelling, including townhouses, of not more than three stories. Substantial reconstruction means removing and replacing ceiling and interior finishes that expose exterior framing and more than 50% of windows, exterior doors or HVAC. The minimum home energy rating is 84 for up to 3,500 square feet of conditioned space, 87 for 3,501 to 4,500, 90 for 4,501 to 6,500, and 93 above 6,500.

Before a building permit issues, the applicant submits a certificate from a certified HERS rater that the design earned the tentative rating. Before a certificate of occupancy, the applicant must obtain a home energy rating certificate showing compliance, including performance and field testing verifications. The owner of a historic structure can seek a waiver from the Board of Architectural Review and Historic Preservation, and an owner facing site or design difficulties can apply to the Building Inspector for a downgraded rating. Appeals go to the Energy Appeals Board, made up of the Village Engineer and two Board of Trustees members, which must issue a written decision within 45 days.

Section 43-13 requires new commercial and municipal buildings to meet "designed to Energy Star" requirements, certified by the architect. Section 43-14 refunds 0.25% of the cost of construction when a project achieves LEED or ICC 700 certification.