Building Permits in Rockland County, NY
Every town and village in Rockland County has its own building department, its own permit requirements, and its own fee schedule. Here's what you need to know before starting a project.
Key rule: In Rockland, if you live in a village (Piermont, Nyack, Suffern, Spring Valley, etc.),
you get your permits from the village building department — not the town. If you live in an unincorporated
hamlet (Pearl River, Nanuet, New City, Tappan), you use the town building department.
Not sure which applies? Check your tax bill — both your town and village (if any) will be listed.
Building Department Directory
| Municipality | Covers | Phone | Hours | Detail Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airmont | Village | 845-414-5522 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Chestnut Ridge | Village | 845-425-8283 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–3:30pm (no applications accepted after 3:30pm) | Guide → |
| Clarkstown | Town (unincorporated areas only) | 845-639-2100 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Grand View-on-Hudson | Village | 845-358-2919 | By appointment | Guide → |
| Haverstraw | Town (unincorporated areas only) | 845-942-3710 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–4:30pm | Guide → |
| Haverstraw Village | Village | 845-429-0300 | Mon–Thu 9:00am–5:00pm; 1st Thursday 9:00am–7:30pm; Fri 8:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Hillburn | Village | 845-357-2036 | Call for hours | Guide → |
| Montebello | Village | 845-368-2491 | Call for appointment | Guide → |
| New Hempstead | Village | 845-354-8100 | Call for hours | Guide → |
| Nyack | Village | 845-358-4249 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Orangetown | Town (unincorporated areas only) | 845-359-8410 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Piermont | Village | 845-359-1258 ext. 311 | Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:00pm, by appointment | Guide → |
| Pomona | Village | 845-354-0545 ext. 2 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–4:00pm | Guide → |
| Ramapo | Town (unincorporated areas only) | 845-357-5100 ext. 326 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm | Guide → |
| Sloatsburg | Village | 845-753-2727 ext. 211 | Mon & Wed 8:00am–1:45pm, Fri 8:00am–12:45pm | Guide → |
| Spring Valley | Village | 845-352-1100 ext. 180 | Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm | Guide → |
| Stony Point | Town (unincorporated areas only) | 845-786-2716 ext. 103 | Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm | Guide → |
| Suffern | Village | 845-357-2603 | Mon–Fri 8:00am–4:00pm | Guide → |
| Upper Nyack | Village | 845-358-0084 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–12:00pm (noon) only | Guide → |
| Wesley Hills | Village | 845-354-0400 ext. 105 | Mon–Fri 9:00am–4:00pm (Inspector available Tues & Thurs at Village Hall) | Guide → |
| West Haverstraw | Village | 845-947-2800 | Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm | Guide → |
| Kaser | Village | 845-352-2932 | Call for hours | Coming soon |
| New Square | Village | 845-354-1000 | Call for hours | Coming soon |
Common Questions
These answers apply broadly across Rockland County. Always verify specifics with your building department — thresholds and fees vary by municipality.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Yes, in virtually all Rockland County municipalities. Any deck attached to the house requires a building permit. Freestanding decks over 200 square feet typically also require a permit. You'll need to submit a site plan showing the deck dimensions, location on the lot, and distance from property lines. Check your specific town for exact thresholds and setback requirements.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Generally yes if the shed is over 144 square feet (a 12×12 structure). Most Rockland towns follow New York State's threshold of 144 sq ft for accessory structures. Below that, many towns don't require a permit, but setback rules still apply — your shed must be a minimum distance from property lines even if no permit is needed. Verify with your building department.
Do I need a permit to replace windows?
No permit is required for in-kind window replacement — swapping an existing window for the same size in the same location. A permit is required if you're changing the window size, adding a new window opening, or making structural changes to the wall. When in doubt, call your building department — they can usually answer this question in two minutes.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Usually yes. Most Rockland towns require permits for fences over 4 feet tall in front yards or 6 feet in rear yards. Setback requirements (how far the fence must be from the property line) vary by town and zone. Check your deed — some properties have restrictive covenants about fence materials and heights that go beyond the local code.
Do I need a permit for solar panels?
Yes, always. All towns in Rockland County require a building permit for rooftop solar installations. New York State has a streamlined residential solar permit process — many towns use a standardized application that's faster than a typical building permit. Piermont has a dedicated Residential Solar PV Permit Application. Your solar installer should handle the permitting, but verify they're pulling a local permit (not just an interconnection agreement).
Do I need a permit for a bathroom or kitchen remodel?
It depends on the scope. No permit is required for cosmetic work — new tiles, cabinets, countertops, appliances. A plumbing permit is required if you're moving or adding plumbing fixtures (toilet, sink, tub, dishwasher line). An electrical permit is required if you're adding circuits or outlets. If you're moving walls, a building permit is required. Many homeowners skip permits on remodels — this creates problems at resale when a home inspector or buyer's attorney discovers unpermitted work.
Do I need a permit for a whole-house generator?
Yes. A permanently installed standby generator requires both an electrical permit and a plumbing/gas permit (for the gas line connection). The generator must be placed a minimum distance from windows, doors, and property lines — check your town's specific requirements, as these vary. Portable generators do not require permits.
What happens if I build without a permit?
You risk a stop-work order, daily fines, and in serious cases, an order to demolish the unpermitted work. More practically: unpermitted work creates problems when you sell your home. A buyer's attorney or home inspector will flag it, your title company may require it to be remediated, and your homeowner's insurance may not cover damage to unpermitted structures. The cost of retroactive permitting ('as-built' permits) is typically much higher than pulling the permit originally.
How long does a building permit take?
Simple residential projects (deck, shed, generator): 1–3 weeks in most Rockland towns. Projects requiring site plan review (additions, new construction): 4–12 weeks. Anything before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals: add 1–3 months for hearing schedules. Timing varies significantly by town workload — Piermont and smaller villages often move faster than the larger towns.
Do contractors need to be licensed to pull permits?
New York State does not have a statewide general contractor license. However, Rockland County licenses home improvement contractors — any contractor doing work over $500 must be licensed by Rockland County Consumer Protection. Electricians and plumbers have separate state licensing requirements. In Piermont and other villages, ask whether the village requires its own contractor registration (separate from county licensing) before pulling permits.
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About this data: Building department contact information, fees, and permit requirements
are compiled from official municipal websites and direct contact with Rockland County building departments.
Data is reviewed and updated regularly. This guide summarizes publicly available information —
requirements and fees change, so always verify with your building department before starting a project.
This is not legal advice.
Missing your town? We're adding municipalities weekly. Check back or
call your town/village building department directly using the directory above.