Huntington, NY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Chapter 87's Article VIII sets Huntington's ceiling on how far a building can reach into the public right-of-way. The baseline rule in § 87-48(A) is blunt: no part of a building erected after the section's adoption, and no enlargement of an older building, may project beyond a street line or building line. Subsection B then carves out narrow, measured exceptions. Decorative moldings and belt courses may project 4 inches when under 10 feet above curb level, or 10 inches above that height; main cornices get 18 inches below 20 feet and 3 feet above it; rustications and quoins are capped at 4 inches, with column bases limited to 10 inches if under 5 feet tall.

A door swung fully open can't reach more than 12 inches past the building line. Fire escapes required on existing buildings may project up to 4 feet beyond the street line, but must clear at least 10 feet above the sidewalk. Vaults built under sidewalks, areas, hatchways or stairways can extend up to 5 feet into the street, must be enclosed with substantial walls, and need flush covers rated for 300 pounds per square foot of live load; building the vault requires a separate permit from the State, County or Town Highway Department filed with the Building Inspector alongside the building permit application.

Every permission to project beyond the line, whether express or implied, is revocable by the Town at will under § 87-48(E), and any alteration to an existing over-the-line building must conform to these limits going forward. Encroachments that already existed when the section took effect can stay as built until the Town Board directs their removal.