Building Permits in Ramapo
Building Department
Inspector: Ian Smith
Phone: 845-357-5100 ext. 326
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm
Address: 237 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901
Covers unincorporated areas: Monsey, parts of Wesley Hills area not in a village, and other unincorporated areas. Many villages within Ramapo (Suffern, Spring Valley, Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, New Square, Pomona, Sloatsburg, Wesley Hills) have separate building departments. If you live in a village, contact the village — not the town — for building permits.
Permit Application Forms
Building Permit Application Package
Download PDF →
Complete building permit application package
Building Permit Application (single page)
Download PDF →
Single-page building permit application form
Building Permit Instruction Sheet
Download PDF →
Instructions for completing the building permit application
Building Permit Fee Schedule (2018)
Download PDF →
Fee schedule — verify current fees with building dept as this may be outdated
Secondary Dwelling Application
Download PDF →
Application for adding a secondary dwelling unit
Floodplain Development Permit Application
Download PDF →
Required for construction in FEMA flood zones
How It Works in Ramapo
- Most populous town in Rockland County (148,000+)
- Inspector: Ian Smith (ext. 326)
- 12 villages within Ramapo have their own building departments — Suffern, Spring Valley, Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Hillburn, Kaser, Montebello, New Hempstead, New Square, Pomona, Sloatsburg, Wesley Hills
- If you live in any of those villages, contact the village building department, not the town
- Monsey is an unincorporated hamlet — use the Ramapo town building dept
- Planning Board meets monthly at 7:30pm; contact Hannah Ross (rossh@ramapo.gov, ext. 216) for schedule
- ZBA meets monthly; contact Ashley Tortora (tortoraa@ramapo.gov, ext. 343) for schedule
Common Questions
I live in Monsey — which building department do I use?
Monsey is an unincorporated hamlet within the Town of Ramapo. Use the Ramapo Town Building Department at 237 Route 59, Suffern, 845-357-5100. The same applies to other unincorporated areas of Ramapo. If you live within an incorporated village (Suffern, Spring Valley, Airmont, etc.), use that village's building department.
How do I know if I'm in the Town of Ramapo or a village within Ramapo?
Check your tax bill — it will list your town (Ramapo) and your village (if any). If only 'Town of Ramapo' appears and no village, use the town building department at 845-357-5100. If a village name appears (Suffern, Spring Valley, etc.), contact that village's building department.
Does Ramapo have online permit applications?
The Town of Ramapo provides downloadable PDF permit applications at ramapo.gov/page/building-planning-and-zoning-25.html. Submit completed applications in person at 237 Route 59, Suffern. Contact the building department at 845-357-5100 for current forms and process.
Also Useful
Planning Board
Zoning Board of Appeals
Zoning Code
All Rockland County permits
Ramapo town guide
Find a licensed contractor
2026 Election Guide — Ramapo
This guide summarizes publicly available information. Requirements, fees, and procedures change — always verify current information with the building department before starting a project. This is not legal advice.