License check
How to check an outdoor kitchen builder's license in Suffolk or Nassau
A license number takes a minute to check and tells you the company can legally do the work. Here is who issues it in each county, where to look it up, and what else to ask, from the official pages we read on 2026-11-03.
What New York State and federal rules say
- Whether a project like an outdoor kitchen or pergola needs a building permit depends on local law, and the Department of State tells code users to check the law of the municipality where it is built.
In Suffolk County
- Past the trades it names, Suffolk's definition of home improvement takes in other improvements to structures or upon land that belong to residential property, and Consumer Affairs licenses that work.
- Suffolk's Restricted Plumbing license includes LP Gas and Natural Gas categories.
In Nassau County
- Home improvement in Nassau's code includes other improvements to structures or upon land adjacent to a dwelling, beyond the work it names, and the county licenses that business.
- A Kitchens & Baths category appears on the application for Nassau's home improvement business license.
Towns with a license of their own
- Town of Southampton: Southampton requires its own Home Improvement Contractor's License for home improvement work, and its licensing covers every village except the Village of Westhampton Dunes. A builder of a new home needs no town license for now, but the builder's subcontractors must be licensed.
- Town of Southampton: A Southampton home improvement license is valid for one year. A new application costs $250.00 by cash or check or $257.50 by credit, and an on-time renewal costs $175.00, or $180.25 by credit.
- Town of Southampton: Southampton's accessory structure checklist, which covers pergolas, trellises and outdoor kitchens, requires the contractor to hold an active license with the Town.
- Town of Southampton: On Southampton's accessory structure checklist, the electrical permit is filed separately, and the electrician must have an active Suffolk County license.
- Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island requires home improvements to be performed by a licensed contractor holding a Shelter Island license.
- Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island's notice to contractors says every contractor or subcontractor working on the island, landscapers included, needs a town license.
- Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island takes home improvement license applications online, and a new license needs a $250 check to the town, a liability certificate naming the town as certificate holder and, if applicable, a workers' compensation certificate.
Beyond the license
- Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you by the insurer, naming you as the certificate holder.
- Ask who files the permit and books the inspections, and get it in the contract.
- Get the price, the scope, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule in a written contract.
Related
Questions homeowners ask
Does outdoor kitchen and pergola building need a license on Long Island?
Outdoor kitchen and pergola building on a home is home improvement work, so the county home improvement license applies in Nassau and in Suffolk.
Do I need a permit for a pergola or outdoor kitchen?
Often yes, especially with gas, electrical or a roof. The town pages below quote each town's rules.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the office before you file anything.
- NYS Department of State, Exemptions from the Uniform Code (PDF) (read 2026-11-03; page dated March 05, 2024)
- Suffolk County Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement License Law (PDF) (read 2026-11-03; page dated 5/25)
- Suffolk County Consumer Affairs, Restricted License Application (CA-L11) (read 2026-11-03; page dated 3/26)
- Nassau County, Administrative Code (PDF) (read 2026-11-03; page dated January 1, 2026)
- Nassau County Consumer Affairs, Home Improvement Business License Application (PDF) (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Southampton, contractor licensing questions (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Southampton, Licensing Applications and Forms (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Southampton, Accessory Structures checklist (PDF) (read 2026-11-03; page dated 09-2025)
- Town of Shelter Island, FAQs (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Shelter Island, Notice to All Contractors (read 2026-11-03)
- Town of Shelter Island, Building Department (read 2026-11-03)
Checked 2026-11-03. Facts come only from the official pages listed, read on that date.
Talk the job through before you call anyone
Tell us about the house and the job in about four minutes. Revival calls you, free, to go over the scope, the budget, the timing and your town's permit office. Contractor matches open as our first licensed partners sign.