Before You Build in White Plains, NY: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Typical limits: 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in side/rear yards in residential districts. Corner lots have sight-triangle restrictions. Taller fences may require zoning variance.

Shared boundary fences are governed by NY Real Property Law §840. White Plains requires the finished side to face the neighboring property and fences must be set inside your own property line unless a shared-fence agreement exists.

NYS Residential Code Appendix G applies: pool barriers must be at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Pool alarms required on pools built or substantially modified after Dec 14, 2006.

Retaining walls over 4 ft high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a Building Department permit and engineered drawings. Walls supporting a surcharge always need a permit regardless of height.

White Plains requires a Building Department permit for most fence installations, regardless of height. Application includes site plan showing fence location relative to property lines.

Hot tubs and spas under a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 are exempt from the 48-inch barrier requirement. Electrical permit required for 240V installation.

Pool alarms required for all pools built or substantially modified after December 14, 2006, per NY Executive Law §387(14). Alarm must comply with ASTM F2208.

Pool barriers must meet NYS Residential Code Appendix G: minimum 48-inch fence, self-closing/self-latching gate opening away from pool, bottom gap max 2 inches.

Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require a building permit and full Appendix G barrier compliance. Pool walls 48+ inches tall may serve as the barrier if ladder is removable/lockable.

All pools 24+ inches deep require a White Plains Building Department permit before installation. Plans, setbacks, electrical, and Appendix G barrier review required.

Converting a garage to living space requires a building permit, full code compliance (egress, insulation, heating, smoke/CO alarms), and zoning approval if it changes the number of dwelling units.

White Plains restricts accessory apartments. Two-family dwellings are permitted only in R-2 and higher-density districts; single-family R-1 zones generally do not permit ADUs without variance.

Sheds over 144 sq ft require a building permit. Sheds must meet accessory structure setbacks (typically 5-10 feet from side/rear lot lines) and rear/side yard placement rules.

Tiny homes on foundations must meet NYS Residential Code (min 70 sq ft habitable room, 7-ft ceiling). Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and not permitted as permanent dwellings.

Carports are accessory structures requiring a building permit and compliance with zoning setbacks. Typically may not encroach into required front yards.

Small recreational fire pits with clean dry wood or charcoal are generally allowed if attended and kept small. Must comply with NY Fire Code §307 clearances and never burn yard waste or trash.

Open burning of brush and yard waste is banned in White Plains year-round as a densely populated area under NY DEC rules. Statewide DEC Part 215 brush-burn ban also applies March 16 – May 14.

White Plains is served by Westchester Joint Water Works and New York City DEP water. Drought-stage restrictions apply when declared by NYC DEP or Westchester County.

White Plains Tree Ordinance (Chapter 5-3) requires a permit to remove regulated trees on private property above DBH thresholds. Significant trees protected.

Property owners must keep trees from obstructing sidewalks, streets, and traffic signs. White Plains public works manages street trees; private trees are owner responsibility.