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Rockland County, NY Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Inspection window
5 business days after notice
Missed deadline remedy
10% application fee refund
Required stages
Foundation, framing, final, others
Remote inspections
Allowed at Director's discretion
Jurisdiction
Village of Spring Valley only

Summary

Inside the Village of Spring Valley, Code § 23-6 keeps permitted work exposed until the county's Office of Buildings and Codes inspects it. The Director must inspect within five business days of notice, checking foundations, framing, fire-resistant construction and utility systems before signing off, with a final inspection required at completion.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Rockland County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Work to remain accessible and exposed. Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Director or by and inspector authorized by the Director. The permit holder must notify the Director when any element of work described in Subsection C of this section is ready for inspection. ... Once the Director or an authorized inspector delegated by the Director is notified, the work must be inspected within five business days. If the Director or authorized inspector fails to comply with this time requirement the applicant will be entitled to a refund of 10% of the original application fee. ... A final inspection after all work authorized by the building permit has been completed.

Full Breakdown

Section 23-6A requires that work stay accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Director or an authorized inspector, and the permit holder must notify the Director when each stage is ready. Once notified, the Director has five business days to inspect; missing that window entitles the applicant to a 10% refund of the original application fee (§ 23-6B). The elements that must be inspected, where applicable, include the work site before permit issuance, footing and foundation, slab preparation, framing, structural/electrical/plumbing/mechanical/fire-protection systems, fire-resistant construction and penetrations, solid-fuel heating appliances and chimneys, Energy Code compliance items such as insulation and air leakage, manufactured-building installation, and a final inspection after all authorized work is done (§ 23-6C).

The Director may substitute a remote inspection when it can be performed to the same quality as an in-person one, falling back to an in-person visit if the remote review is insufficient (§ 23-6D). After an inspection, work is marked satisfactory or the permit holder is notified of the specific code provisions not met, and noncompliant work must stay exposed until it is corrected, reinspected and found satisfactory (§ 23-6E). Inspection fees are set under § 23-18 and are due before or at the time of each inspection (§ 23-6F).

This inspection regime exists only because the state assigned Spring Valley's building and fire-code enforcement to the county after the village's own enforcement failed, per § 23-1A, and it is scheduled to end no later than December 31, 2026 under § 23-22B.

Violations & Fines

Failing to keep work exposed for inspection, or proceeding past a required inspection stage without approval, exposes the permit holder to a stop-work order under § 23-7 and to the civil penalties of § 23-17D, up to $2,000 per day the violation continues. The Director can also revoke or suspend the underlying building permit for work found out of compliance with the Uniform Codes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast must Rockland County inspect permitted work in Spring Valley?
The Director must inspect within five business days of being notified that work is ready, per Code § 23-6B. If the county misses that window, the permit holder is entitled to a refund of 10% of the original application fee.
What construction stages require inspection?
Section 23-6C lists the work site before permit issuance, footing and foundation, slab preparation, framing, structural and utility systems, fire-resistant construction, solid-fuel appliances, Energy Code compliance items, manufactured-building installation, and a final inspection once all authorized work is complete.
Can an inspection be done remotely?
Yes. Section 23-6D lets the Director or an authorized inspector substitute a remote inspection when it can be performed to the same level of quality as an in-person visit; if the remote review does not give enough information, an in-person inspection is still required.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rockland County

All Rockland County rules

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