Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-10
57 of New York's 62 counties — 92% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 25th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Lewis County (74/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 2952 counties nationwide → New York: no zoning → New York: no minimum home size → Full New York profile →
57 of 62 New York counties · sorted by Index score
Homeowners applying for a Lewis County building or septic permit who perform the work themselves or satisfy the listed homeowner workers-compensation conditions. The form applie…
Septic System Permit Application ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. An owner who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home and seeks to perform or supervise its installation in New York, including Clinton County. The owner ma…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. An owner-occupant who wants to install or complete portions of the installation of a manufactured home in New York, including Cattaraugus County. A certified ins…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. An owner-occupant of a manufactured home who seeks to perform installation work under New York State requirements. A certified installer must be on site while th…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. An owner-occupant completing installation work on a manufactured home under New York State requirements. A person intending to own and occupy a manufactured home…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. A homeowner acting as general contractor or performing work on a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-family owner-occupied residence in Madison County, including new construction o…
State & Municipal Workers’ Compensation Requirements ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Workers' compensation and disability-benefits exemption for an owner acting as general contractor on a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-family owner-occupied residence when applying for a Wyomi…
BP-1 Waiver of Workers' Compensation for Homeowners ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. A person who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home and seeks to install it personally under New York State Part 1210 requirements. The owner-occupant may…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗A homeowner who plans to construct an on-site wastewater treatment system personally. The homeowner must complete a Homeowners Registration Exemption Form. The ordinary rule is …
New Sewage Treatment Systems - Owners ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Owner-performed electrical work on an owner's primary single-family residence in Greene County; this is not a general exemption from building permits. The homeowner must own and…
Homeowner’s Permit ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗An applicant performing building work personally under the Seneca County building-permit application process. The CE-200 is an exemption form for workers' compensation and disab…
Building Permit Application ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. A person who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home and seeks certification to install that manufactured home. The person must intend to own and occupy th…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. A person who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home in Tompkins County and seeks to install the home personally or complete required components of its ins…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. A homeowner who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home and seeks to perform required installation work in Ontario County. 19 NYCRR Part 1210 requires a ce…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. An owner who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home and seeks to perform or complete portions of its installation. 19 NYCRR Part 1210 requires a certified…
dos.ny.gov ↗Owner-occupants of single-family homes performing permitted plumbing work in Onondaga County. The owner must submit a completed application, a Homeowner Plumbing Permit Request …
Plumbing Permits & Plan Reviews ↗Statewide rule. A homeowner listed as the general contractor on a building permit for a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-family owner-occupied residence in New York, including an Erie County pr…
Workers’ Compensation Requirements for Government Issued Permits, Licenses and Contracts ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. An owner-occupant seeking to install a manufactured home in Monroe County or elsewhere in New York State. The applicant must intend to own and occupy the manufac…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. A homeowner acting as the general contractor for a 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-family owner-occupied residence in Suffolk County, New York, when applying for a building per…
STATE & MUNICIPAL ↗Statewide rule. An owner who intends to own and occupy a manufactured home in Orange County may perform installation work after obtaining the required state installer certificat…
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. An owner-occupant who installs a manufactured home in Putnam County. A certified installer must be on site during installation. The owner who intends to own and …
Division of Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed home-improvement work at an owner’s primary residence in New York, as to a New York State home-improvement-contractor license. New York State doe…
Consumer Alert: NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides New Yorkers with Tips for Avoiding Home Improvement Scams ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the New York state page for all 62 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
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General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
