Environmental Rules in North Hempstead, NY (2026)
6 verified environmental rules for North Hempstead, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
North Hempstead regulates stormwater runoff from land development under Chapter 46A, requiring designs that meet state water-quality standards. Section 46A-8B bars any land development activity from raising turbidity enough to create a substantial visible contrast in Town waters, and permanent stormwater facilities must be maintained under a recorded agreement.
North Hempstead Stormwater Management Standards
Some RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 46A-8B
Water quality standards. Any land development activity shall not cause an increase in turbidity that will result in substantial visible contrast to natural conditions in surface waters of the State of New York.
Erosion Control
Chapter 46A requires an approved stormwater pollution prevention plan before a construction project disturbing significant land can proceed in North Hempstead. Under § 46A-7B(1)(d), no more than five acres may be disturbed at one time without an approved plan, and the Stormwater Management Officer can issue stop-work orders and fines against violators.
North Hempstead Erosion Control for Construction Sites
Some RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 46A-7B(1)(d)
Construction phasing plan describing the intended sequence of construction activities, including clearing and grubbing, excavation and grading, utility and infrastructure installation and any other activity at the site that results in soil disturbance. Consistent with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Erosion Control Manual), not more than five acres sh...
Flood Zones
North Hempstead requires a floodplain development permit before any construction, filling or other development in a FEMA-mapped area of special flood hazard. The Commissioner of the Building Department, acting as Local Administrator, reviews applications under Chapter 21, and undertaking development without a permit is unlawful.
North Hempstead Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 21-12A(1)
A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in this community for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and insuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding. It shall be unlawful to undertake any development in an ar...
Boat Dock Permits
North Hempstead requires a Town Clerk-filed structure permit before building, enlarging or altering any dock, pier or mooring in its waterways. Residential applications go through the Building Department; commercial, multifamily and yacht club projects need a Waterfront Advisory Commission review and a Town Board public hearing.
North Hempstead Dock and Waterway Structure Permits
Significant RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 42-7A(1)
For applications for a structure permit for residential use, the Town Clerk shall transfer a copy of all the application materials to the Building Department, which shall examine said application for compliance with this chapter and the laws, ordinances, regulations or specifications governing such structures. The Building Department shall approve the application if the application and the prop...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Every use permitted in North Hempstead's Industrial B District must minimize engine idling under § 70-189.2C(9): equipment has to be shut off when not in use or held to a five-minute idling cap. The rule sits inside the district's air-pollution performance standards and is checked at building-permit and certificate-of-occupancy stage.
North Hempstead Industrial Idling Limit
Some RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 70-189.2C(9)
All uses of land in an Industrial B District shall operate in conformance with the limitations set forth in each subsection below ... C. Air pollution, smoke, dust, fumes, particulate matter, threshold values. ... (9) Idling times shall be minimized either by shutting equipment off when not in use or reducing the maximum idling time to five minutes; and
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved homes in North Hempstead's mapped flood zones must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Chapter 21's construction standards set that freeboard for Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, with different rules for coastal high-hazard V zones and homes lacking published elevation data.
North Hempstead's Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsNorth Hempstead Code § 21-16A(1)
The following standards apply to new and substantially improved residential structures located in areas of special flood hazard, in addition to the requirements in § 21-14B, Subdivision proposals, and § 21-14C, Encroachments, and § 21-15, Standards for all structures. ... (1) Within Zones A1-A30, AE and AH, and also Zone A, if base flood elevation data are available, new construction and substa...
Looking for Nassau County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement North Hempstead city rules.
Environmental Rules in Nassau County →