188 local rules on file · Pop. 22,040 · Nassau County
Showing ordinances that apply to Merrick, NY
Merrick is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 22,040 in Nassau County, New York. Because Merrick is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Nassau County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Nassau County may have different rules.
Carports in Nassau County are regulated as accessory structures requiring building permits in most towns and villages. Many Nassau municipalities restrict carports in front yards, limit them to side/rear placement, and require them to match the architectural style of the primary residence.
Converting a garage to living space in Nassau County requires a building permit, certificate of occupancy amendment, zoning compliance, and often replacement parking. Illegal garage conversions are a major code enforcement target, especially in the Town of Hempstead, due to illegal rental housing concerns.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Nassau County ordinances.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Nassau County are heavily regulated by individual towns and villages, with many jurisdictions either prohibiting ADUs outright or restricting them to owner-occupied single-family lots with strict size, parking, and family-member occupancy limits. No state ADU preemption exists in New York.
Nassau County RV and boat parking restrictions are among the strictest in NY. Most villages prohibit RVs, boats, and trailers on residential streets and limit driveway storage. Screened rear yard storage typically required with size caps.
Nassau County overnight parking rules vary by village but most prohibit or restrict overnight on-street parking 2-5 AM. Garden City, Great Neck Plaza, and many North Shore villages ban all overnight parking year-round. Permits available in some districts.
Nassau County EV charging supported by NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Drive Clean Rebate and Charge Ready NY programs. NY State Residential Code permits Level 2 home charging with standard electrical permit. Public chargers expanding at LIRR stations and parks.
Nassau County driveway rules set by local zoning codes. Typical requirements: maximum 20-30 percent front yard coverage, paved surface required, curb cut permits from village or town highway department, 3-10 ft side yard setbacks.
Nassau County abandoned vehicles governed by NY Vehicle & Traffic Law 1224 and local codes. Vehicles unregistered, inoperable, or stationary 96+ hours may be tagged and towed. Private property abandonment requires property owner complaint and VTL notification process.
Nassau County commercial vehicle parking restrictions are strict. Most jurisdictions ban overnight parking of vehicles over 10,000 lbs or with commercial signage on residential streets and driveways. Town of Hempstead Code 202-10 limits overnight commercial parking.
Nassau County street parking regulated by individual villages, towns (Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay), and cities (Long Beach, Glen Cove). Most jurisdictions enforce overnight parking bans, alternate-side cleaning schedules, and 24-72 hour maximum stays.
Nassau County Code Chapter 71 and NY ECL 11-0512 ban possession of wild animals including big cats, primates, venomous reptiles, bears, and wolves. Ferrets are legal in Nassau (unlike NYC). Chickens depend on local zoning.
New York Agriculture and Markets Law 107 preempts breed-specific legislation. Nassau County and its municipalities cannot ban dogs by breed; dangerous-dog determinations are behavior-based under NY Ag and Markets 123.
Beekeeping is legal throughout Nassau County under NY Ag and Markets Article 15. The state Apiary Industry Program licenses apiaries; local zoning in some villages restricts hive placement and setbacks.
Nassau County Code Chapter 71 (Dogs) and Nassau County Police Ordinance 11 require all dogs off the owners premises to be leashed. Leash length is limited to 6 feet in most municipalities. Fines start at 50 dollars.
Nassau County Code 71 prohibits feeding of wildlife in county parks and preserves. NY ECL prohibits feeding deer and bear statewide. Feeding stray cats is generally allowed under TNR protocols registered with the town.
Nassau County sets no countywide pet-limit cap. Most towns and villages cap dogs at 4 per household; some villages (Rockville Centre, Floral Park) cap combined dogs-and-cats at 4 to 6 animals.
Nassau County shelters microchip every dog and cat before adoption, and New York licensing law requires updated owner contact information; private owners are not mandated to chip pets but it is strongly recommended.
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law protect nearly all native birds, nests, and eggs in Nassau County; permits are required to remove active nests of protected species even from private property.
New York Agriculture and Markets section 377-a requires sterilization of dogs and cats adopted from Nassau County shelters and contracted rescues; private owners are not required to spay or neuter pets.
New York's Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, effective December 2024, bans Nassau County pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits; stores may host adoption partnerships with rescues or shelters instead.
Nassau County villages and towns generally restrict veterinary clinics and animal hospitals to commercial or business zones, with overnight boarding often requiring a special use permit and noise mitigation under local zoning codes.
Nassau County Code Chapter 80 limits the number of dogs and cats kept on residential property and authorizes seizure when conditions endanger animals or create public-health nuisances enforceable by NCSPCA and NCDOH.
Nassau County does not require cat licensing countywide, but Chapter 80 cruelty and nuisance provisions apply, and several incorporated villages impose at-large or trap-neuter-return registration rules on free-roaming cats.
Long Island's growing coyote population is managed by the New York State DEC; Nassau residents may not trap or kill coyotes outside hunting seasons, but hazing and removing food attractants is encouraged to prevent conflicts.
Nassau County does not license pet groomers, but groomers must register with Consumer Affairs as a service business and follow Chapter 80 humane handling standards plus state Ag and Markets boarding rules when overnight care is offered.
Possession or rehabilitation of injured wildlife in Nassau County requires a New York State wildlife rehabilitator license issued by NYSDEC; well-meaning residents may not legally keep injured wild animals at home.
Nassau County allows hens in NYC but roosters are banned. Coops must meet health standards. Livestock prohibited in most residential zones. NYC Health Code governs.
Residential home business signage in Nassau County is severely restricted or prohibited. Most Nassau towns and villages allow only small non-illuminated nameplates (typically 1-2 square feet, attached to the house, stating name and profession only), and many prohibit signage for home occupations entirely.
Home occupations in Nassau County are regulated by town and village zoning codes. Most jurisdictions allow low-impact professional services as accessory uses with no external evidence of the business, no non-resident employees, and limited customer visits.
Home occupations in Nassau County are regulated by town and village zoning codes, typically permitted as accessory uses in residential zones with restrictions on employees, customer visits, signage, and external alterations. The business must remain clearly incidental to the residential use of the property.
Home businesses in Nassau County must not generate customer traffic beyond what is typical for a residential neighborhood. Most town zoning codes limit or prohibit on-site client visits, require clients to come by appointment only, and cap the number of visits per day (typically 3-6 clients).
Nassau County home-based daycares must be registered or licensed under NY OCFS rules. Family day care (up to 8 children) requires registration; group family day care (up to 16) requires a license. Local zoning compliance also required.
Home-based food businesses in Nassau County must comply with NY Agriculture and Markets Law Article 20-C, which requires a Home Processor license from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for most non-hazardous baked goods, jams, candies, and similar shelf-stable foods. Nassau County Department of Health inspects for dairy, meat, and other potentially hazardous products.
Nassau County does not set countywide construction hours. Typical town and village rules restrict construction to 7 AM to 6 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM Saturdays, with no work on Sundays or holidays without a permit.
Amplified music audible 50 to 100 feet from the property line after 10 PM is prohibited in most Nassau towns and villages. County parks prohibit amplified sound without a permit from the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums.
Aircraft noise is federally preempted by the FAA (49 USC 41713). Nassau County hosts Republic Airport (FRG) in East Farmingdale; JFK and LaGuardia approaches cross the county. Local municipalities cannot restrict flight operations.
Nassau County enforces dog nuisance complaints through the SPCA and local police. Most towns and villages prohibit barking that continues for 15 minutes or more or is audible across a property line after quiet hours.
Nassau County has no countywide quiet-hours ordinance. Each of the 3 towns (Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay), 2 cities (Glen Cove, Long Beach), and 64 incorporated villages sets its own nighttime noise limits, typically 10 PM to 7 AM.
NY Vehicle and Traffic Law 386 sets statewide vehicle noise limits (SLEEP Act effective 2022: 1,000 dollar fine for illegal mufflers). Nassau County Police enforce on county roads and in unincorporated areas.
Nassau County sets no countywide leaf-blower rule. Several incorporated villages (Great Neck Estates, Kensington, Sands Point, Roslyn) have enacted summer gas-blower bans; towns generally restrict operation to daytime hours only.
Commercial noise (HVAC, loading docks, refrigeration) is regulated by each town or village, typically limited to 65 dBA at the property line during daytime and 50 dBA at night. Nassau County Health Department can act on severe nuisances.
Open burning is largely prohibited in Nassau County. NYSDEC 6 NYCRR Part 215 bans burning of household trash statewide and prohibits ALL open burning of brush from March 15 to May 15 annually. Nassau towns (population over 20,000) cannot permit residential brush burning even outside the seasonal ban.
Nassau County permits residential fire pits under local town codes with NYSDEC setback requirements. Most Nassau towns require fire pits be at least 15 feet from structures and property lines, use only seasoned wood (no trash, leaves, or construction debris), and be attended at all times with a water source or extinguisher nearby.
Backyard recreational fires in Nassau County are restricted to small contained fire pits or portable outdoor fireplaces burning clean seasoned wood. Burning leaves, yard waste, household trash, or construction debris in backyards is ILLEGAL under NYSDEC rules and town codes.
New York state law requires smoke detectors in all residences. Since April 2019, all smoke alarms sold in NY must be 10-year sealed-battery or hardwired units (NY General Business Law Section 399-ccc). Nassau County enforces through town building departments during sales, permits, and rental inspections.
Nassau County lacks the wildland-urban interface wildfire risk of western states but enforces property maintenance and brush clearance through town and village codes. Overgrown brush, dead vegetation, and debris piles are typically cited as nuisance/hazard violations, especially in the Pine Barrens-adjacent eastern Nassau areas.
Nassau County has no designated wildland-urban interface (WUI) or wildfire hazard severity zones. Unlike California or the western US, Nassau does not maintain a wildfire zone map. Fire risk is addressed through standard building codes and property maintenance rather than WUI-specific requirements.
Nassau County follows the New York State Fire Code, which sets clearance, setback, and tank-size limits for residential propane storage; tanks above one hundred twenty-five gallons require a fire-marshal permit.
Nassau County has OPTED OUT of New York state law allowing sparklers and ground-based sparkling devices. ALL consumer fireworks, including sparklers, snap caps, poppers, and sparkling devices, are ILLEGAL in Nassau County. Only licensed professional displays are permitted.
Occupancy is governed by NY Property Maintenance Code and local bedroom-count standards. Typical limit: 2 people per bedroom plus 2. Many Nassau villages cap STR occupancy at 6-8 guests.
STR guests must follow the noise code of the town or village where the property is located. Most Nassau municipalities enforce quiet hours 10 PM-7 AM and prohibit amplified sound audible at property lines.
Registration rules vary by Nassau municipality. Long Beach requires annual STR registration with $250-$500 fee and inspection. Most other jurisdictions either ban STRs or require general rental permits.
Many Nassau County jurisdictions impose annual night caps on STRs or outright prohibit rentals under 30 days. Long Beach limits STRs in residential zones; most North Shore villages ban under-30-day rentals entirely.
Nassau County imposes a 3% hotel and motel occupancy tax on rentals under 30 days, plus New York state and local sales tax totaling 8.625%. Hosts must register with the Nassau County Treasurer and remit quarterly.
Nassau County has no countywide STR permit, but most towns and villages require registration or prohibit rentals under 30 days. Hempstead, Long Beach, and many North Shore villages enforce strict STR bans or permit regimes.
Nassau County has no countywide STR insurance mandate, but most local STR permit programs require $500,000-$1 million general liability coverage. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude commercial rental activity.
STR guests must use off-street parking where required by local code. Most Nassau towns limit on-street overnight parking and many villages require all guest vehicles to be parked in the driveway.
Nassau County does not impose a countywide host-presence requirement, but several Nassau villages and towns require the registered host to occupy the dwelling during guest stays, banning fully unhosted whole-home rentals in residential zones.
Nassau County and its villages increasingly hold booking platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com responsible for collecting hotel tax, verifying host registrations, and removing listings flagged for noncompliance with local STR ordinances.
Several Nassau County villages restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, prohibiting investor-owned whole-home STRs. Nassau County itself imposes no primary-residence rule, but the County Hotel/Motel Tax registry treats non-primary STRs as commercial lodging.
Extended home-shares, where a Nassau County resident rents one or two bedrooms while continuously occupying the rest of the dwelling, are generally permitted as accessory residential use. Hotel tax still applies for stays under 90 days under New York Tax Law.
Nassau County villages and towns increasingly use escalating strike systems for STRs that generate repeated noise, parking, occupancy, or trash complaints. After two or three substantiated complaints in twelve months, registrations are suspended or revoked and rebooking is barred countywide.
Most Nassau municipalities require a building permit for any fence, even if under 6 feet. Permit fees range from 50 to 200 dollars. Fences in floodplains or historic districts require additional review.
Corner-lot sight triangles in Nassau County typically limit fences, walls, and hedges to 30 inches tall within 25 to 30 feet of the intersection of two street right-of-ways.
Nassau County defers fence height to local code. Typical Nassau limits are 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, measured from finished grade. Corner-lot visibility triangles impose lower limits.
Approved fence materials include wood, vinyl, chain link, wrought iron, and masonry. Barbed wire and electric fences are generally prohibited in residential zones across Nassau County. Historic villages may restrict synthetic materials.
Nassau follows NY common law on shared fences: no statute requires cost-sharing. NY RPAPL 843 (spite fence) prohibits fences over 10 feet built to annoy neighbors. Finished side must face outward in most Nassau villages.
New York State Uniform Code (19 NYCRR Part 1226) and Nassau County municipalities require a 4-foot minimum barrier around all pools holding 24 inches or more of water, with self-closing and self-latching gates.
Tree removal on private property in most of Nassau County is unregulated, but several incorporated villages (particularly on the North Shore Gold Coast) have strict tree preservation ordinances requiring permits to remove trees over specified diameters, typically 6-12 inches DBH (diameter at breast height).
Nassau County towns enforce weed ordinances through the same property maintenance codes that govern grass height, typically prohibiting noxious weeds over 10 inches tall. State DEC invasive species rules (6 NYCRR Part 575) also apply to listed invasive plants like Japanese knotweed and mile-a-minute weed.
Street trees in Nassau County are typically owned and maintained by the municipality (town or incorporated village). Residents may NOT prune, top, or remove street trees without a permit. Private trees on your own property generally require no permit to trim, but protected/heritage tree ordinances exist in some villages.
Nassau County grass height limits are set by individual towns and villages, typically capping lawns at 8 to 10 inches. The Town of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay all enforce similar standards through property maintenance codes, with escalating fines for repeat violations.
Native plant landscaping is encouraged in Nassau County with no restrictions on installing native species. Several villages offer incentives for replacing lawns with native meadows or pollinator gardens. HOA and village aesthetic rules may still require neat appearance and define meadow plantings as landscaping, not weeds.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Nassau County, with no state or county permit required for residential rain barrels used for lawn and garden irrigation. Given Long Island Sole Source Aquifer concerns, capturing rain for outdoor use reduces aquifer demand.
Artificial turf installation on residential lawns in Nassau County is generally allowed but regulated by some towns and villages, with particular concerns about stormwater runoff and PFAS chemicals. Several Nassau villages have moved to restrict artificial turf in athletic field replacements over environmental concerns.
Nassau County sits atop the federally-designated Long Island Sole Source Aquifer, the only drinking water source for 3 million Long Island residents. Nassau County Department of Public Works enforces year-round odd-even lawn watering restrictions, and individual water districts may impose additional drought rules.
NY Residential Code Appendix G requires 48-inch minimum barriers around all pools over 24 inches deep. Self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward from pool, with latch 54 inches above ground.
Hot tubs and spas over 24 inches deep require building and electrical permits in Nassau County. Lockable safety covers meeting ASTM F1346 satisfy barrier requirements in lieu of fencing.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep require permits and must meet the same fencing and safety standards as in-ground pools. Nassau County Health Department approves placement relative to septic and wells.
All residential swimming pools in Nassau County require a building permit from the local town or village, plus Nassau County Department of Health approval for installation. In-ground, above-ground over 24 inches, and hot tubs over 24 inches all require permits.
Nassau County Department of Health enforces pool safety including barriers, anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), and chemical storage. Residential pools need no lifeguard, but pool alarms are required in some jurisdictions.
Nassau County follows NY Unified Solar Permit streamlining rooftop solar approvals. Most villages and towns adopted the NYSERDA Unified Solar Permit with flat fee $250-$400 and expedited review. Building permit + electrical permit required. PSEG Long Island net metering available.
Nassau County HOA solar restrictions governed by NY common law. NY has no statewide solar access law preempting HOAs or restrictive covenants. Many condo boards and HOAs restrict visible rooftop solar. Landmark/historic districts impose additional review.
Nassau County parks close at sunset unless specifically posted otherwise, under Nassau County Administrative Code and Parks Department regulations. Entry after hours is trespass. Beaches close at sunset; Nassau Leisure Passes required for resident access.
Nassau County does not maintain a countywide juvenile curfew. Several villages have enacted local curfews, typically 10 or 11 PM to 6 AM for minors under 17, with exceptions for work, emergencies, and accompanied minors. Enforcement focuses on beach and park areas.
Nassau County follows NY Public Health Law Title 10 and federal EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rules for properties built before 1978. Rental properties must disclose lead-based paint and abate hazards when identified.
Elevators in Nassau County multi-family and commercial buildings require annual inspection by NY Department of Labor licensed inspectors under Labor Law §236 and 12 NYCRR Part 39. Operating permits must be posted in elevator cars.
Nassau County scaffolding governed by NY Labor Law 240/241 (Scaffold Law) and NYS Industrial Code Rule 23. Contractors face absolute liability for gravity-related injuries. Sidewalk sheds required for work above 40 feet per NYS Building Code.
Nassau County pest control regulated by NY Environmental Conservation Law Article 33 and 6 NYCRR Part 325. Commercial applicators need DEC certification. Nassau County Department of Health handles rodent and vector complaints. Neighbor notification required for outdoor pesticide use.
Nassau County encourages adoption of the New York State Stretch Energy Code, NYStretch-2020, which exceeds baseline energy efficiency by about eleven percent; participating villages require it for new construction and major renovations.
Several wealthy Nassau County villages limit oversized house construction through floor area ratio caps, lot coverage rules, and bulk regulations to preserve neighborhood scale; rules vary by village and zone.
Nassau County enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, which mandates sprinklers in new multifamily buildings over three stories, large single-family homes, and certain renovations exceeding fifty percent of value.
Childcare centers in Nassau County need a New York State Office of Children and Family Services license, fire-marshal inspection, NCDOH approval, and local zoning permits, with home-based daycares limited to set child counts under state law.
Commercial drone operations in Nassau County require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate plus LAANC authorization for nearly all airspace. JFK and LaGuardia Class B cover most of the county; Republic Airport Class D affects Farmingdale area.
Recreational drone flight in Nassau County is governed by FAA Part 107 and recreational rules under 49 USC 44809. Most of Nassau sits in Class B airspace under JFK and LaGuardia control; Republic Airport (FRG) Farmingdale is Class D. LAANC authorization required for nearly all flights.
Under NY MRTA, Nassau County cities, towns, and villages had until December 31, 2021 to opt out of retail dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges. A majority of Nassau municipalities opted out, including most villages and the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay.
Under NY Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA, 2021), adults 21+ may grow up to 3 mature and 3 immature cannabis plants per person, max 6 mature and 6 immature per household. Home cultivation in Nassau County became legal once retail dispensaries opened statewide (effective 2023 for consumers).
New York Cannabis Law sets minimum buffers between licensed dispensaries and schools or houses of worship, and Nassau County reinforces siting limits through its opt-out from adult-use retail.
New York State Cannabis Law prioritizes social and economic equity applicants for retail licenses, but Nassau County opted out of recreational dispensaries in 2022, limiting local retail siting.
New York adults aged 21 and over may grow a limited number of cannabis plants at home statewide, including in Nassau County, regardless of the county opt-out from retail sales.
Adult-use cannabis retail is barred countywide in Nassau due to the 2022 opt-out, while medical cannabis dispensaries remain allowed subject to NY Cannabis Law and local zoning.
Nassau County has no countywide rental registry, but most towns and incorporated villages require rental permits. Town of Hempstead, Town of North Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, and villages like Hempstead, Freeport, and Long Beach all maintain separate rental permit programs with inspections.
Nassau County landlords are subject to New York's Good Cause Eviction Law (L. 2024, ch. 56, Part HH) only if a municipality opts in. Most Nassau villages and towns have not opted in, so standard RPAPL Article 7 eviction procedures apply with no just-cause requirement outside opt-in areas.
Nassau County rent regulation under NY Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) where villages opt in. Villages of Great Neck Plaza, Thomaston, Mineola, Hempstead Village, and several others adopted ETPA. Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act 2019 (HSTPA) strengthened tenant rights statewide.
New York Human Rights Law and the Nassau County Human Rights Law forbid landlords from refusing rentals because of a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, SSI, SSDI, veterans benefits, or unemployment. Violations carry significant civil penalties.
Nassau County rentals follow New York's HSTPA security-deposit cap of one month's rent. Landlords must hold deposits in interest-bearing accounts for buildings with six or more units and return deposits within fourteen days of move-out with an itemized statement.
Nassau County landlords must accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers as a lawful source of income under New York Human Rights Law. The Nassau County Office of Housing and Community Development administers the local voucher program covering several thousand households.
Nassau County rentals follow HSTPA notice rules requiring 30, 60, or 90 days written notice before non-renewal based on tenancy length. ETPA rent stabilization does not apply to Nassau, so no-fault non-renewals remain legal with proper notice and lawful reason.
From March 2020 through January 2022, New York's COVID Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act paused most Nassau County evictions. The moratorium has expired, but ERAP arrears protections, COVID-era judgments, and HSTPA reforms continue to shape current cases.
New York Real Property Law section 235 prohibits landlord harassment of Nassau tenants through threats, repeated unwanted contact, utility shutoffs, frivolous lawsuits, and lockouts. Violations carry civil penalties up to two thousand dollars per offense plus actual and punitive damages.
HSTPA caps Nassau County rental fees: application fees at twenty dollars, late fees at fifty dollars or five percent, and limits on broker commissions and pet fees. Landlords cannot pass through unrelated maintenance costs as separate charges during a lease.
Nassau County setbacks determined by each village and town zoning code. Typical single-family: 25-40 ft front, 10-20 ft side (with some villages requiring aggregate 25 ft both sides), 25-40 ft rear. Garden City, Manhasset, and North Shore villages impose larger setbacks.
Nassau County lot coverage limits typically 20-35 percent for principal building and 25-45 percent total with accessory structures. Impervious coverage limits (50-60 percent) increasingly common for stormwater management. North Shore villages impose stricter limits.
Nassau County height limits vary by village. Single-family residential typically 30-35 ft or 2.5 stories. North Shore villages (Sands Point, Kings Point) often 30 ft. Long Beach and incorporated cities allow 35-45 ft with zoning. Commercial zones 35-50 ft typical.
Most Nassau County towns and villages maintain No-Knock or No-Solicitor registries. Residents can add their address to an official list and solicitors must check it before canvassing. Posted No Soliciting signs at entry carry legal weight for trespass charges.
Door-to-door solicitors in Nassau County towns and villages must obtain a peddler or solicitor permit and carry ID. Town of Hempstead, Town of North Hempstead, and most incorporated villages require background checks, fees of 50 to 500 dollars, and limited hours.
HOA architectural review committees (ARCs) in Nassau County operate under the authority of the recorded declaration of covenants. Standards must be applied consistently; arbitrary denials can be challenged as breach of the business judgment rule.
Nassau County HOAs are governed by the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and declaration of covenants. Condominiums follow NY Real Property Law Article 9-B (§339-B). Boards must hold annual meetings and keep minutes available to owners.
CC&Rs run with the land and are enforceable against all owners per NY common law and recorded declarations. Selective enforcement can be a defense; boards should maintain consistent violation records and provide notice before fines.
HOA and condo disputes in Nassau County go to NY Supreme Court, Nassau County, typically under Article 78 for challenges to board actions. Mediation is encouraged but not mandatory unless required by CC&Rs.
HOA and condo assessments in Nassau County are enforceable liens on property under NY RPL §339-z (condos). HOAs may impose late fees, interest, and collection costs per their governing documents. Foreclosure of HOA liens is permitted.
Nassau County and all its municipalities mandate source-separated recycling under NY ECL 27-0717 and Local Law 11-1988. Paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and rigid plastics (#1-2, sometimes #1-7) must be separated from garbage. Contamination can result in refusal of pickup.
Bin placement rules in Nassau County are set by each town and village. Typical rules: bins out no earlier than 5 PM the evening before pickup, removed by end of pickup day or 7 AM the following morning. Bins must be at curbside, not in the street, with lids closed.
Bulk pickup in Nassau County is scheduled through your local sanitation district, town, or village. Most offer weekly or bi-weekly bulk days for furniture and appliances. Construction debris, tires, and hazardous waste are excluded and must go to Nassau County transfer stations or S.T.O.P. events.
Nassau County does not run a countywide collection service. Trash and recycling pickup is handled by towns, villages, sanitation districts, and private haulers. Most residents receive twice-weekly garbage and weekly recycling pickup under local sanitary district rules.
Garage sale signs in Nassau County are regulated by town and village sign codes. Typical rules: maximum 2-4 square feet, placed only on sale property or with permission, removed within 24 hours of sale end. No public right-of-way placement.
Holiday decorations on private residential property in Nassau County are generally exempt from sign code regulation. Typical courtesy guidelines suggest display from Thanksgiving through mid-January. Illuminated displays must not create traffic hazards or excessive light trespass.
Political signs in Nassau County are protected First Amendment speech. Towns and villages can impose content-neutral size, setback, and durational rules only. Under Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), content-based political sign restrictions are generally unconstitutional.
Nassau County grading and drainage regulated by village and town codes plus NYS Residential Code. Positive drainage 6 inches in 10 ft required from foundations. Sump pump discharge to stormwater system typically prohibited. Grading permits required for disturbance over 100-500 cubic yards.
Nassau County stormwater managed under NY SPDES MS4 permit program. Nassau County Department of Public Works oversees county stormwater. Development over 1 acre requires SWPPP. Illicit discharges banned. Individual villages enforce property-level stormwater codes.
Nassau County flood zones extensive along Atlantic Ocean (Long Beach, Point Lookout, Atlantic Beach) and Long Island Sound North Shore. Hempstead and South Oyster Bays create massive VE and AE zones. Post-Sandy FEMA BFE elevations raised 2-4 ft. FEMA NFIP compliance mandatory.
Nassau County erosion control regulated under NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Blue Book). Construction sites must install silt fences, stabilized entrances, and inlet protection. Atlantic Ocean bluff erosion additionally governed under DEC Coastal Erosion Hazard Area Act.
Nassau County participates in NY Climate Smart Communities (CSC), pledging emissions reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainability planning across county operations and programs serving 1.4 million residents.
Nassau County purchasing policies favor energy-efficient equipment, recycled-content products, and lower-emission vehicles, advancing climate goals through county contracts and aligning with NY State green procurement guidelines.
Nassau County promotes heat-island mitigation through tree planting, cool-roof guidance, and reflective pavement pilots in downtowns and around malls like Roosevelt Field, supported by NYSERDA and county programs.
New York State limits vehicle idling to reduce air pollution, with stricter rules for heavy-duty diesel trucks. Nassau County enforces these statewide standards through police and traffic enforcement countywide.
Nassau coastal development along Long Island Sound and the South Shore requires NYSDEC tidal wetlands permits, FEMA flood compliance, and local zoning review, protecting shorelines, salt marshes, and the Sole Source Aquifer.
Nassau County Code Chapter 230 adopts the NY State Energy Conservation Code, which encourages reflective roofing on low-slope commercial roofs to reduce cooling loads and urban heat-island effects countywide.
Nassau County has no countywide dark sky ordinance. Individual villages (Lloyd Harbor, Matinecock, Upper Brookville) adopted lighting standards requiring full cutoff fixtures and lumen limits. Urban South Shore communities generally have no dark sky rules. NYSDEC Light Pollution Guidance advisory.
Nassau County light trespass addressed through local zoning codes and common law nuisance. Villages with lighting codes typically cap property-line illuminance at 0.1-0.5 footcandles. No statewide light trespass statute. Private nuisance claims available in NY courts.
Nassau County food trucks require county Department of Health Mobile Food Service Establishment permit plus individual village/town vending permits. County permit $325-$650/year. Each municipality sets its own vending rules. Many villages ban mobile food vending entirely.
Nassau County food vending zones determined by individual villages and towns. Most prohibit street vending in residential zones. Commercial vending typically requires property owner consent and restricted to private lots. Parks and beaches require separate concession agreements with Nassau County Parks Department.
Nassau County towns and villages enforce the International Property Maintenance Code for blighted properties. Unsafe, unsanitary, or vacant structures trigger orders to repair or demolish. Town of Hempstead and Nassau County jointly target zombie homes under NY RPAPL 1308.
Vacant lots in Nassau County must be kept free of litter, overgrowth, and debris under town and village property maintenance codes. Grass height limits typically 10 inches apply to vacant parcels. Tax-delinquent lots ultimately go to Nassau County annual tax lien sale.
Nassau County towns and villages require property owners to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within a set window after snowfall ends, typically 12 to 24 hours. Town of Hempstead requires clearance within 12 hours of daylight after snowfall.
Nassau County property maintenance codes adopted at town and village level require trash containers with tight-fitting lids, stored on private property behind the front building line, out of view from the public right-of-way. Rodent-proofing is a common enforcement priority.
Nassau County garage sales are regulated at the town and village level, with most requiring a permit, limits of 2 to 4 sales per year per address, and hours typically 9 AM to 6 PM. No countywide ordinance exists.
Nassau County DSS operates a right-to-shelter system providing emergency placement within twenty-four hours for eligible homeless families and adults. Nonprofits including the INN, Family Service League, and Long Island Council of Churches operate transitional and bridge housing programs across the county.
Nassau County has no general sit-lie ordinance, but several incorporated villages and the City of Long Beach prohibit obstructing sidewalks, sleeping in transit shelters, and lying in commercial corridors during business hours. Enforcement focuses on referral to outreach.
Nassau County coordinates encampment sanitation through DSS, NCDPW, and the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. Outreach precedes any cleanup, personal belongings must be stored not destroyed, and posting notice is required at least seventy-two hours before clearance.
Nassau County Department of Health inspects food service establishments under the Nassau County Sanitary Code Article XII, posting inspection results online rather than using letter grades like NYC.
Property owners in Nassau County must keep premises free of rodent harborage under the County Sanitary Code and local property maintenance provisions, with NCDOH responding to complaints.
Nassau County residents may not place loose syringes in household trash and should use NCDOH-supported sharps collection sites and NY State pharmacy take-back options.
Chain restaurants in Nassau County follow the federal FDA menu labeling rule requiring calorie disclosure for standard menu items at locations with 20 or more outlets nationwide.
New York State requires landlords to disclose recent bed bug history before signing residential leases, and Nassau County rentals must meet habitability standards including pest remediation.
Nassau County requires every permitted food service establishment to designate a certified food protection manager trained under standards approved by NCDOH and Article XII.
New York banned expanded polystyrene foam single-use food containers and packing peanuts statewide on January 1, 2022 under ECL Article 27, applying throughout Nassau County.
Nassau County enacted a five cent disposable bag fee in 2018, and the New York statewide plastic carryout bag ban under ECL 27-2801 has applied since 2020.
New York Public Health Law Section 1399-aa raised the minimum age for tobacco, vaping, and herbal products to 21 statewide, applying to all retailers in Nassau County since 2019.
New York bans the sale of flavored vapor products other than tobacco flavor statewide under Public Health Law amendments enacted in 2020, applying fully across Nassau County.
Vapor product retailers in Nassau County must register with the NY Department of Taxation and Finance and follow state distance limits keeping shops away from schools and youth facilities.
Nassau lawn-watering rules vary by water provider, but most public and private utilities limit irrigation to odd or even days and prohibit midday watering to conserve groundwater drawn from the Sole Source Aquifer.
Nassau water utilities require prompt reporting and repair of customer-side leaks to protect the Sole Source Aquifer. Water districts may issue notices when meter data shows continuous flow indicating an undetected leak.
Nassau encourages replacing turf with drought-tolerant and native plants through education and rebates, supporting Sole Source Aquifer protection. Programs are voluntary, with no mandatory turf removal at the county level.
Some Nassau villages and towns offer density bonuses for projects providing affordable units, structured parking, or transit proximity. Bonuses follow village-specific rules; no countywide density-bonus law applies uniformly.
Nassau encourages transit-oriented development around Long Island Rail Road stations through downtown overlays, mixed-use zoning, and state grants. Implementation occurs at the village and town level, not directly by the county.
Nassau County maintains marked bike lanes and shared paths along county roads and through Bethpage and Wantagh state parkway corridors. Riders must follow state vehicle and traffic laws and signed local restrictions.
New York legalized e-bikes statewide in 2020 with three classes. Nassau County permits all three on most roads, with Class 3 generally limited to riders 16 and older and helmet requirements depending on class.
Trees in Nassau County road rights-of-way fall under DPW jurisdiction. Residents wanting to plant or remove parkway trees need DPW approval, with species, location, and clearance standards designed to protect utilities.
Nassau County Code Chapter 22 protects trees on county parkland and county property. Removal of trees on private property is governed by individual village and town ordinances, not by Chapter 22 directly.
Nassau County licenses massage establishments under its consumer-affairs framework, while individual masseurs/masseuses must hold a New York State license issued by the Office of the Professions under NY Education Law Article 155.
Secondhand dealers operating in Nassau County, including thrift, vintage, jewelry, and electronics resellers, are licensed at the town or village level with police-department reporting requirements for items received.
Tobacco and vape retailers in Nassau County must hold a NY State Department of Taxation and Finance retail tobacco dealer registration, comply with Tobacco 21 (NY PHL §1399-aa), and observe local proximity and signage rules.
Tow companies operating in Nassau County must be licensed by the County Office of Consumer Affairs, post tariff schedules, follow NY Vehicle and Traffic Law §1224, and respond only when authorized by NCPD or the property owner.
Motor-vehicle repair shops in Nassau County must register with the New York DMV under NY VTL §398, follow consumer-protection rules, and operate only in zones permitting auto-repair use under town or village zoning.
Nassau County imposes a hotel and motel occupancy tax of approximately five percent on top of New York State's four percent sales tax, producing a combined rate near nine percent on transient lodging stays under thirty days.
Nassau County does not impose its own hotel worker retention ordinance like New York City or Los Angeles. Hotel labor relations remain governed by federal NLRA standards and any applicable collective-bargaining agreements.
Nassau County has no hotel-specific living wage law. Hotel workers are covered by New York State's downstate minimum wage of $16.50, plus state paid family leave, sick leave, and other Labor Law protections.
Nassau County's Smoke-Free Air Act (Administrative Code Chapter 175) bans smoking and vaping in county parks, beaches, public buildings, transit areas, and many outdoor dining spaces, going beyond New York State's Clean Indoor Air Act.
Loud parties in Nassau County are addressed under town and village noise ordinances, with NCPD or local police authorized to break up gatherings creating unreasonable noise after quiet hours, typically ten or eleven at night.
Adults 21+ may legally possess cannabis in Nassau County under NY Cannabis Law, but smoking or vaping cannabis in public is restricted to the same locations where tobacco smoking is permitted, and violations carry civil fines.
Open containers of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and beaches are prohibited throughout Nassau County under town and village ordinances, and consuming alcohol in a parked vehicle on a public way also violates NY VTL §1227.
Nassau County may not set a local minimum wage above the state floor; New York preempts the field. The downstate minimum wage applicable in Nassau is $16.50 as of 2025, indexed annually under NY Labor Law §651.
Nassau workers are covered by New York's statewide Paid Family Leave program (NY WCL §200 et seq.), Earned Sick Leave law (NY Lab §196-b), and the HERO Act for airborne-infection protections, all preempting any local paid-leave ordinance.