113 local rules on file · Pop. 1,709 · Ulster County
Showing ordinances that apply to Watchtower, NY
Watchtower is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 1,709 in Ulster County, New York. Because Watchtower is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Ulster 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 Ulster County may have different rules.
NY Uniform Code requires a building permit for any pool over 24 inches deep. Ulster County towns issue permits; fees typically $100-$350.
NY requires pool alarms under General Business Law 225-f for new installations. VGB drain covers federally required. Ulster towns verify at final inspection.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Ulster County ordinances.
NY Residential Code AG105 mandates 48-inch barrier around all pools over 24 inches deep. Self-closing, self-latching gates. Ulster towns strictly enforce.
Ulster County allows hens in NYC but roosters are banned. Coops must meet health standards. Livestock prohibited in most residential zones. NYC Health Code governs.
New York prohibits feeding bears and deer statewide under DEC regulations. Ulster County is in active black bear habitat (Catskills), making bear-feeding rules strictly enforced.
Ulster County and its municipalities do not have breed-specific legislation. New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Section 107 preempts local breed bans, focusing instead on dangerous dog determinations based on behavior.
New York State bans wild animals as pets under Agriculture and Markets Law Section 370 and Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0512. Ulster County follows state rules; no additional local exotic pet ordinances exist.
Beekeeping is permitted throughout Ulster County with varying municipal regulations. Most towns allow backyard beekeeping with setback requirements; registration with NY Department of Ag and Markets is required statewide.
Pet number limits are set by individual municipalities. Most Ulster towns allow up to 3 to 4 dogs per household without a kennel license; cats are typically unrestricted.
New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Section 121 requires dogs to be leashed or under owner control in public. Ulster County towns enforce leash laws through local dog control ordinances.
New York has no statewide ADU preemption. Ulster County does not regulate ADUs at the county level — each town and village decides. Many Ulster towns (New Paltz, Woodstock, Rosendale, Saugerties) allow accessory apartments subject to owner-occupancy and size limits.
Garage conversions in Ulster County require a building permit in every town because they change the occupancy classification from accessory to habitable. County Health Department septic review is required if on-site sanitary capacity changes.
Ulster County defers shed regulation to towns. NY Uniform Code typically exempts sheds under 144 sq ft from a building permit, but zoning approval is still required. Most towns set 5-10 ft side/rear setbacks for accessory structures.
New York recognizes tiny homes under Appendix Q of the 2020 Residential Code (permanent foundations) and treats RV-style tiny homes on wheels as recreational vehicles. Ulster County has no specific tiny-home law; each town decides where they are allowed.
Ulster County has no countywide carport rule. Most towns treat carports as accessory structures subject to the same setbacks as garages. A building permit is required for any carport with a permanent roof.
Amplified music is regulated at the municipal level. Kingston, Woodstock, and New Paltz all require permits for outdoor amplified events and prohibit amplified sound audible beyond property lines during quiet hours.
Construction hours are set by each municipality. Most Ulster County towns allow construction 7am to 6pm or 7pm Monday through Saturday, with no Sunday construction except for emergencies.
Ulster County enforces New York State Agriculture and Markets Law on dangerous dogs, while barking nuisance rules are set by individual municipalities. Kingston and most towns prohibit persistent barking that disturbs neighbors.
Commercial noise limits are set by each municipality and generally cap sound at the property line of receiving residential zones. Kingston sets limits at 60 dB daytime and 50 dB nighttime at residential boundaries.
Aircraft noise is regulated exclusively by the FAA under federal law. Ulster County and its municipalities cannot enforce aircraft noise rules. Kingston-Ulster Airport (20N) is the primary public airport.
Ulster County itself does not set countywide quiet hours; rules are governed by each town, village, and the City of Kingston. Most Ulster municipalities, including Kingston and Woodstock, enforce quiet hours from 10pm to 7am on weekdays with later morning start times on weekends.
Vehicle noise is governed primarily by New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 386, which prohibits modified exhaust systems and excessive vehicle noise statewide. Ulster County sheriff and local police enforce these rules.
Ulster County has no countywide leaf blower ordinance. Restrictions exist primarily in Woodstock and a few other towns, while Kingston regulates them under general noise rules.
NY DEC Part 215 prohibits residential brush burning statewide from March 16 through May 14 each year. Trash burning (leaves, garbage, household waste) is illegal year-round. Minimum $500 fine for first offense.
Small recreational fire pits are generally allowed year-round in Ulster County under NY DEC Part 215 if under 3 feet high and 4 feet in diameter, using clean dry wood or charcoal. Individual towns may impose stricter rules.
Roughly half of Ulster County lies within the Catskills Forest Preserve, a high-value wildland-urban interface (WUI) zone monitored by NY DEC fire towers. No formal statutory WUI designation like the western U.S., but spring wildfire risk is significant.
New York Executive Law §377 and the 2019 Residential Code require sealed 10-year-battery smoke alarms in all one- and two-family homes at sale or substantial renovation. Interconnected alarms required on every floor and in every bedroom in new construction.
Backyard recreational fires follow the same 6 NYCRR Part 215 rules as fire pits: under 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide, clean fuel only, attended at all times. The March 16 – May 14 brush-burning ban does not affect small cooking/recreational fires.
New York does not mandate defensible-space brush clearance around homes like western states. Ulster County and its towns rely on voluntary Firewise USA guidance, especially near the Catskills Forest Preserve.
Consumer fireworks banned statewide under NY Penal Law §270.00. Sparkling devices are legal in Ulster County, which did not opt out of the 2017 sparkler law. Municipal use restrictions may still apply.
Ulster County has no countywide grass-height ordinance. Regulation is handled at the town or village level under local property-maintenance codes, typically capping lawn height at 8-12 inches in developed zones.
There is no Ulster County or NY State permit requirement for trimming trees on private residential property. Local tree laws, power-line pruning rules, and Catskills Forest Preserve protections may apply.
Ulster County has no countywide weed ordinance. Noxious-weed control is regulated by NY Ag & Markets Law §161 (noxious weed quarantine). Towns enforce unsightly weed and high-grass rules through local property-maintenance codes.
Ulster County has no countywide tree-removal permit, but individual towns vary widely. Trees on state Forest Preserve land are protected by Article XIV of the NY Constitution ('Forever Wild'). Villages often regulate street-tree removal.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged across New York. Ulster County allows residential rain barrels and cisterns without countywide permit. Potable uses require NYSDOH approval; non-potable use (irrigation) is unrestricted.
Ulster County has no countywide watering restriction, but the Ashokan Reservoir (part of the NYC water supply) and many town water districts set local limits during droughts. NYC DEP watershed rules govern land use around the reservoir.
New York actively encourages native plantings through the DEC 'Saratoga Tree Nursery' and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Ulster County supports native landscaping, and no ordinance restricts replacing lawn with native meadow on private property.
New York has no statewide ban on residential artificial turf. Ulster County has no countywide rule. Catskill-area towns and HOA/historic districts may limit or discourage synthetic turf for aesthetic or drainage reasons.
New York has no statewide home-occupation law. Ulster County does not regulate home businesses at the county level — every town and village zoning code defines allowed home occupations, typically as-of-right low-impact uses with size and employee caps.
Home occupations regulated town-by-town across Ulster County. Most towns allow incidental home businesses by right or with special permit; no county-level permit.
Home-occupation signage is tightly restricted in Ulster County towns. Most town codes allow only one small non-illuminated sign (typically 1-2 square feet) identifying the business; some towns prohibit any signage whatsoever.
Family and group family day care regulated by NY OCFS under SSL Article 19-h. Ulster County towns must permit registered/licensed home daycare as-of-right under NY law.
New York's Home Processor exemption (20 NYCRR §276.2) lets residents make and sell low-risk shelf-stable foods from home kitchens after a free registration with the NY Department of Agriculture & Markets. Ulster County adds no additional cottage-food license.
Ulster County home-occupation ordinances strictly limit customer and client visits. Most towns cap foot traffic to a handful of clients per day and ban any activity that creates parking demand or noise beyond normal residential use.
New York State Uniform Code (Residential Code R326 and Building Code 3109) requires 4-foot minimum barriers around all pools over 24 inches deep. Ulster County enforces these rules through local building departments.
Most Ulster County municipalities permit standard fence materials (wood, vinyl, chain-link, wrought iron). Barbed wire and electric fences are generally restricted to agricultural uses. Historic districts have additional material restrictions.
Ulster County follows New York common law on boundary fences. Shared fences require mutual agreement for cost-sharing. The finished side of the fence must typically face neighbors.
Fence height limits are set by each municipality. Ulster County towns generally allow 4-foot front yard fences and 6-foot side and rear yard fences without a permit.
Ulster County municipalities enforce sight triangle rules at street corners, typically requiring fences and vegetation under 3 feet within 25 to 30 feet of intersections.
Fence permit requirements vary by municipality. Kingston requires building permits for all fences; Woodstock and many rural towns do not require permits for fences under 6 feet.
Several Ulster County towns cap non-owner-occupied STR rental nights. Woodstock limits unhosted STRs; Kingston restricts non-primary-residence rentals.
Ulster County towns typically require 1 on-site parking space per STR bedroom. Street parking by guests restricted or prohibited in village centers like Woodstock and New Paltz.
Ulster County imposes 4% occupancy tax on all STRs under 30 days (Ch. 96). NY State sales tax (8%) and income tax also apply. Town permit fees $150-$500.
Ulster County towns generally require $500K to $1M commercial liability insurance naming the municipality as additional insured for STR permits.
Dual registration required: Ulster County (occupancy tax) and the host town (STR permit). Both renewed annually or biennially with inspection.
Most Ulster County town STR ordinances cap occupancy at 2 per bedroom plus 2, with hard ceilings around 10-12 guests. Septic capacity limits apply in unsewered areas.
Ulster County adopted Local Law No. 4 of 2022 requiring short-term rental registration and 4% county occupancy tax. Towns add their own STR permits atop this.
Town noise codes apply to STRs across Ulster County. Woodstock and Saugerties enforce 10pm-7am quiet hours with STR-specific penalties including permit revocation.
Electric vehicle charging station installation in Ulster County requires electrical permits from local building departments. New York State has adopted EV-ready requirements in the 2020 Energy Conservation Construction Code for new construction. Ulster County has pursued Climate Smart Communities certification with EV infrastructure incentives. Public charging exists at Kingston, New Paltz, and SUNY New Paltz.
Street parking in Ulster County villages like Kingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, and Woodstock is governed by local traffic codes. Kingston uses parking meters and permit zones Uptown and in the Rondout. New Paltz Village enforces 2-hour limits on Main Street. Alternate-side parking applies during snow emergencies. State vehicle and traffic law prohibits parking within 15 feet of hydrants and 30 feet of stop signs.
RV and boat parking on residential property in Ulster County towns is regulated by local zoning. Most towns including New Paltz, Saugerties, and Rochester permit storage in side or rear yards with setbacks. Front yard RV storage is generally prohibited in residential districts. Time limits apply for occupied RVs used as temporary dwellings. On-street overnight RV parking is prohibited.
Overnight parking rules vary across Ulster County municipalities. Kingston enforces alternate-side parking in dense neighborhoods and tows during snow emergencies. New Paltz Village restricts overnight parking on Main Street between 2 AM and 6 AM. Many towns prohibit overnight parking in municipal lots except designated long-term spaces. State parks and DEC lands have posted overnight restrictions.
Abandoned vehicles on public streets in Ulster County can be tagged and towed after 48-96 hours depending on municipality. On private property, unregistered or inoperable vehicles are considered nuisances under local property maintenance codes. Kingston, New Paltz, and Saugerties require vehicles to be registered, inspected, and operable or stored in an enclosed garage.
Driveway construction in Ulster County requires curb cut permits from the town highway department or NYS DOT for state routes like 9W, 28, and 299. Driveways must meet sight distance standards and drainage requirements to prevent stormwater issues. Shared driveways need recorded easements. Gravel driveways are common in rural towns but paved aprons may be required at road connections.
Commercial vehicle parking in residential zones of Ulster County towns is restricted by local zoning codes. Most municipalities prohibit tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR from overnight parking in residential districts. Exceptions exist for active loading and home-based business vehicles under specific conditions.
New York State opted Kingston into the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) in 2022, making Kingston the first upstate city to adopt rent stabilization. This covers buildings with 6+ units built before 1974, limiting annual rent increases under Rent Guidelines Board determinations. Other Ulster County municipalities have not opted into ETPA. The 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act applies statewide protections.
No countywide rental registry in Ulster County. Individual municipalities (notably City of Kingston, Town of Ulster, Village of New Paltz) operate rental registration and inspection programs. Unincorporated areas typically have no registration requirement.
Ulster County has no countywide just-cause eviction law. New York State Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 applies countywide, plus Good Cause Eviction (NY RPL Article 6-A, effective April 2024) which municipalities may opt into. Kingston opted in 2024; unincorporated towns generally have not.
Solar panel installations in Ulster County require electrical and building permits from local building departments. NYSERDA NY-Sun program offers incentives. Ulster County has been a leader in solar adoption with many Climate Smart Communities. Historic district properties in Kingston Stockade require additional review. Rooftop residential solar generally receives streamlined approval under the NYS Unified Solar Permit.
New York has limited solar access protections. Real Property Law does not broadly prohibit HOA restrictions on solar like some states, but HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict solar installations. Ulster County has few large HOAs outside condo developments in Woodstock and lake communities. Most rural and village homes have no HOA restrictions.
NY elevators regulated under Labor Law 167 and 12 NYCRR Part 9. Annual inspection by licensed inspector required; NY DOL and/or local code officers enforce in Ulster County.
Pesticide application in Ulster County is regulated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation under Article 33 of Environmental Conservation Law and 6 NYCRR Part 325. Commercial applicators must be certified. Ulster County has a Neighbor Notification Law requiring 48-hour notice before commercial lawn pesticide applications. Bed bug and rodent issues in rental housing fall under NY Property Maintenance Code.
Ulster County rental pre-1978 housing subject to NY Public Health Law Article 13 Title X and federal Title X disclosure. Ulster DOH enforces under 10 NYCRR 67-1.
Scaffolding on construction sites in Ulster County must comply with New York State Labor Law Section 240 (the Scaffold Law) and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L. Local building departments in towns like Kingston, New Paltz, and Saugerties inspect scaffold setups during permitted construction. Sidewalk sheds are required when work occurs above pedestrian routes in village centers.
Erosion and sediment control in Ulster County follows the NYS Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control. Construction projects require silt fencing, stabilized construction entrances, and temporary seeding. The steep Catskill terrain and Shawangunk slopes make erosion a particular concern. NYC DEP enforces stricter standards in watershed communities including Shandaken, Olive, and Hardenburgh.
Stormwater management in Ulster County is regulated by NYS DEC SPDES general permits and local MS4 programs in Kingston and urbanized towns. Construction disturbing 1 acre or more requires SWPPP under GP-0-20-001. The Ashokan Reservoir watershed enforces stricter standards under NYC DEP rules to protect unfiltered drinking water serving 9 million New Yorkers.
Grading and drainage in Ulster County requires permits from local building departments for projects exceeding town thresholds (typically 50-100 cubic yards). Drainage must not adversely affect neighboring properties under common law. Catskill slopes and Shawangunk Ridge terrain require careful grading design. NYC DEP watershed rules impose stricter standards in reservoir basins.
Ulster County faces significant flood risk along the Hudson River in Kingston and Saugerties, the Esopus Creek through Kingston and Saugerties, Rondout Creek, and Wallkill River through New Paltz. FEMA flood maps govern construction standards. Hurricane Irene (2011) and Tropical Storm Lee caused catastrophic Esopus Creek flooding in Shandaken, Phoenicia, and Kingston, leading to enhanced regulations.
NY HOAs enforce CCRs via fines (if authorized), injunctive relief, and liens. Business Judgment Rule (Levandusky) deferential to boards; owners must exhaust internal remedies.
NY HOA disputes resolved by negotiation, mediation, or NY Supreme Court action. NY AG has no dedicated HOA ombudsman. Condo buyers protected by offering plan statute.
Architectural review handled per HOA/condo declaration. NY protects solar (RPL 335-b) and clotheslines (Energy Law 17-103) from blanket HOA bans.
NY condos and HOAs can lien units for unpaid assessments under RPL 339-aa (condos) and declaration (HOAs). Foreclosure requires judicial process; typical 9% interest cap.
NY condos governed by Condo Act (RPL Article 9-B); HOAs by declaration. Ulster County HOAs must follow Not-for-Profit Corporation Law for meetings and elections.
Ulster County does not provide municipal trash collection. Residents contract with private haulers or self-haul to Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA) transfer stations. Pickup days and rules set by individual haulers and municipalities.
No countywide bin placement ordinance. Most Ulster County towns require containers placed at curb no earlier than evening before pickup and removed within 24 hours after collection. Check local town code.
Ulster County mandates source-separated recycling under Local Law. Required recyclables include paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass, and #1/#2 plastics. Electronics banned from trash under NY Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act.
Bulk items (furniture, appliances, mattresses) accepted at UCRRA New Paltz and Kingston transfer stations with per-item fees. Freon appliances require additional fee for refrigerant removal. Some haulers offer bulk pickup by appointment.
Residents may post No Soliciting signs; solicitors who ignore posted signs are subject to trespass under NY Penal Law 140.05. Several Ulster towns maintain no-knock registries where residents can register addresses.
Door-to-door commercial solicitation generally requires permit from town clerk in most Ulster County municipalities. Religious and political canvassing protected by First Amendment and typically exempt. Permits require ID, background check, and hours restriction (commonly 9am-7pm).
Building height limits in Ulster County residential zones typically cap at 35 feet or 2.5 stories. Commercial zones allow 40-45 feet. Kingston historic districts enforce stricter limits to preserve Dutch colonial streetscapes. Scenic ridgeline protection in Rochester, Shawangunk, and Gardiner restricts heights on prominent ridges visible from the Shawangunk Ridge. Accessory structures are limited to 15-20 feet.
Setback requirements in Ulster County vary by zoning district across 20 towns and cities. Typical residential setbacks are 30-50 feet front, 10-20 feet side, and 25-40 feet rear. Larger rural zones in Olive, Denning, and Hardenburgh require greater setbacks. Shoreline setbacks from the Hudson River, Esopus Creek, and Ashokan Reservoir may be 75-100 feet.
Lot coverage in Ulster County residential zones is typically limited to 20-30 percent, with impervious surface caps of 35-45 percent. Ashokan Reservoir watershed areas enforce stricter impervious limits under NYC DEP watershed rules. Shawangunk Ridge towns like Gardiner and Rochester cap impervious surfaces to protect sensitive habitats. Commercial districts allow 40-60 percent building coverage.
Light trespass onto neighboring properties in Ulster County is regulated through town zoning codes and common law nuisance. Most towns with lighting ordinances establish maximum 0.5 footcandles at residential property lines. Common issues include security floodlights, commercial sign illumination, and parking lot lighting spilling onto adjacent residences.
Several Ulster County towns have adopted dark sky or outdoor lighting regulations to preserve the Catskills rural character. Woodstock, Gardiner, New Paltz, and Rochester require full cutoff fixtures and limit lumens in commercial zones. The Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park promote dark sky values. Light trespass onto neighboring properties is prohibited.
No countywide storage rule for trash bins. Most Ulster towns require containers stored out of public view between pickup days, typically behind the front building line or screened. Enforced through property maintenance chapters.
No countywide garage sale regulation. Most Ulster towns permit residential garage sales without permits, typically limiting duration (2-3 consecutive days) and frequency (2-4 sales per year). Check individual town code.
Sidewalk snow removal handled at municipal level. Kingston and villages typically require clearance within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Unincorporated town areas generally have no sidewalk clearing requirement as sidewalks are limited.
Vacant lots must be kept free of tall grass, noxious weeds, debris, and standing water. NY Property Maintenance Code Section 302.4 generally limits weeds/grass to under 10 inches. Some towns require vacant building registration.
Ulster County enforces NY State Property Maintenance Code countywide, which prohibits accumulation of junk, inoperable vehicles, overgrown vegetation, and structural disrepair. Individual towns may adopt stricter nuisance/blight laws.
Ulster County parks close at dusk unless posted otherwise. Most town parks close at dusk or specified hours (typically 9pm-sunrise). Entering a closed park is trespassing under NY Penal Law 140.05.
No countywide juvenile curfew in Ulster County. City of Kingston has historically had a juvenile curfew ordinance (typically 11pm-6am for under 17). Unincorporated areas and most towns have no juvenile curfew.
Recreational drone operation governed by FAA Part 107 and Remote ID rules. NY State Parks prohibit drone launches/landings without permit. Ulster County and towns generally defer to FAA but may restrict takeoff/landing on public property.
Commercial drone operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, register aircraft, and comply with Remote ID. Operations near West Point, Stewart ANG, or Class B/D airspace require LAANC authorization. No county-level commercial drone permit.
Under NY Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), adults 21+ may cultivate up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants per person, maximum 6 mature/6 immature per household. Plants must be secured from public view and minors. Effective since 2022.
Under NY MRTA (Cannabis Law §131), Ulster County municipalities had until December 31, 2021 to opt out of retail dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges. Many Ulster towns opted in or did not opt out. Dispensary zoning typically restricts to commercial zones, 500 ft from schools, 200 ft from houses of worship per OCM licensing rules.
Holiday/seasonal decorations on private property are exempt from most Ulster County sign regulations. No permits required. Towns may regulate lighting causing glare onto roadways or neighbors, and excessive duration (typically decorations allowed 60 days before/30 after holiday).
Political signs protected as free speech under First Amendment. Ulster County towns typically allow political signs on private property without permits. Size limits (commonly 6-32 sq ft) and time limits (e.g., removal within 7-14 days after election) vary by town. No public right-of-way placement.
Garage sale signs generally permitted on private property with owner permission. Most Ulster towns prohibit placement on utility poles, trees, and public right-of-way. Signs must typically be removed within 24-48 hours after sale.
Street vending and designated food truck zones in Ulster County are limited. Kingston has considered food truck programs in the Uptown and Rondout areas. New Paltz and Woodstock allow mobile vending at farmers markets and festivals rather than open street vending. Private property vending with landowner consent is the most common approach.
Food trucks in Ulster County require Ulster County Department of Health mobile food service permits plus local municipal permits. Kingston allows food trucks on private property with zoning approval. New Paltz permits food trucks at special events. Saugerties, Woodstock, and rural towns have varying approaches. Farmers markets and festivals often host permitted mobile vendors.