Building permits in the Town of North Hempstead

Town or village?

The Town's building department says it administers the state and Town codes "within the unincorporated areas of the Town". The Town also lists thirty incorporated villages: Baxter Estates, East Hills, East Williston, Floral Park, Flower Hill, Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manorhaven, Mineola, Munsey Park, New Hyde Park, North Hills, Old Westbury, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Port Washington North, Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Harbor, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock, Sands Point, Thomaston, Westbury and Williston Park. If your home is in one of them, call the village about your permit first.

Work the Town says needs a permit

"Most work on your property requires a Building Permit," according to the Town, which lists these as common examples:

• Raising the grade of your land, or building retaining walls
• Building a deck or installing a fence
• Finishing a basement or an attic
• Adding a garage, shed or other accessory structure
• Widening a driveway by more than 250 square feet
• Cutting down a tree in a front or side yard
• Modifying, replacing or converting a heating or air conditioning system

The list gives no size or height limits, so ask the department about your exact project. Work on a historic property may also need review by the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, and some permits need Town Board approval or a public hearing first.

How to apply

The Town keeps permit applications, submittal requirements, forms and answers to common questions on its online portal, and you register before you can apply or request records. The portal also shows your permit's status and books appointments to drop off materials for large projects. The Buildings page names the portal MyToNH, while a newer Town page announces new applications through OpenGov, so use the link on the Buildings page and confirm with the department if in doubt.

Inspections and the sign-off

The department's Inspection Section takes in applications, issues building, plumbing and rental permits, and inspects the work on site. Once inspections are complete and the file is reviewed, the department issues the certificates that confirm the work meets Town and State rules.

Variances: the Board of Zoning Appeals

When a project does not meet the zoning code, the Board of Zoning Appeals hears requests for variances, special use permits and code exceptions. A variance application must include a current Notice of Disapproval from the building department, and the Board asks that uploaded plans be signed and sealed. The Board's office is at 516-869-7667.

Bring this to the qualifying call

Start by settling Town or village. Then compare your project with the Town's permit examples and its zoning: if a Notice of Disapproval and a hearing are likely, they belong in the schedule before a contractor promises a start date.