Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Buchanan, New York

Village of Buchanan’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures located in Buchanan village's incorporated area.

  • The Uniform Code and Energy Code apply as amended from time to time.

  “The Board of Trustees hereby accepts the applicability of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the New York State Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the Energy Code) in and for the Village in accordance with the provisions of § 381, Subdivision 2, of the Executive Law of the State of New York and other applicable laws of the state, and as they may be amended from time to time, as the Official Building Construction Code of the Village of Buchanan.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Buildings, structures, and land in Buchanan village subject to the Building Inspector's jurisdiction.

  • Inspections are for determining violations and conformity of occupancy with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and certificates.

  “Inspect any building, structure or land to determine whether any violation of this article or such other laws, rules and regulations within his jurisdiction has been committed or exists; whether or not such building, structure or land is occupied; whether such occupancy is in conformity with all the applicable laws, rules and regulations; whether or not occupancy is in conformity with the aforesaid certificates or such other certificates as the Building Inspector shall issue; and otherwise generally inspect and enforce all of the laws, rules and regulations relating to or affecting lots, buildings or structures and their use and occupancy.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Use or occupancy of buildings in Buchanan village.

  • Buildings constructed before 1951 are excepted.
  • A certificate is also required before a change in use or occupancy, subject to the stated single-family-residence exception for a change of owner, tenant, subtenant, or occupant.

  “Except for buildings constructed prior to 1951, no building shall be used or occupied in whole or in part unless or until a certificate of use or a certificate of occupancy, as appropriate, shall have been issued by the Building Inspector, and then only in conformity with said certificate(s).”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within the incorporated Village of Buchanan.

  • Chapter 211 is amended where applicable.

  “Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Buchanan”

• Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Dwelling units in back of or over a commercial establishment in the C-1 district.

  • No more than 50% of total floor area may be used for residential purposes.
  • Maximum density is four dwelling units per acre.

  minimum dwelling-unit area: >= 750 square feet (Applies to dwelling units in back of or over a commercial establishment in C-1.)

  “each dwelling unit contains a minimum of 750 square feet [...] No more than 50% of total floor area may be utilized for residential purposes.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory apartments in one-family residences in the R-40 zoning district.

  • The use schedule places accessory apartments under uses by special permit of the Planning Board or Board of Appeals.
  • Only one-family residences qualify.

  “A special permit may be granted by the Planning Board to permit accessory apartments. [...] In the R-7.5, R-10, R-15, R-20 and R-40 Residential Districts”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building Department fees in Buchanan village.

  • Fees are set from time to time by Board of Trustees resolution.

  “Building Department fees shall be as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications in Buchanan village.

  • Application must be made on Building Inspector forms and include the listed information, documents, materials, and fee.
  • The Inspector approves or disapproves within one month after receipt of a completed application with appropriate documents and fees.

  application decision period: <= 1 month (From receipt of the completed application with all appropriate documents and fees.)

  “Application for a building permit [...] within one month”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Buchanan or Westchester County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Buchanan village.
• Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Buchanan village.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Buchanan village.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Buchanan village.
• Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Buchanan village.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Buchanan means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.