Croton-on-Hudson, NY Zoning, Building Permits & Septic

Building in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York requires a separate building permit from the village's Engineering Department for each building or structure¹. The village adopts and enforces its own zoning code, Chapter 230². Septic permits for new systems in Westchester County are reviewed by the Westchester County Department of Health³.

At a glance

Building permit: Required; apply to the Village Engineer¹⁴
Zoning: Yes, the village's own Chapter 230 zoning code²⁵
Certificate of occupancy: Required after permitted work and for a change in use⁶
Manufactured homes: Allowed on a permanent foundation if they meet one-family standards⁷
Septic: Westchester County Department of Health reviews new systems; village-specific rules unconfirmed³
Floodplain: Separate floodplain development permit in mapped flood hazard areas⁸
RVs and tiny homes: Not confirmed; ask the Village Engineer⁹

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Croton-on-Hudson Engineering Department

Building permits, building code and zoning enforcement, and floodplain administration inside the village

914-271-4783

1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health, Realty Subdivision and Land Development Review

Reviews and permits every subdivision plan and new subsurface sewage treatment system for commercial and residential use across Westchester County

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Croton-on-Hudson, NY?

Yes. Work in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson that must conform to the New York State Uniform Code or Energy Code needs a separate building permit from the Engineering Department for each building or structure¹. Ordinary repairs that do not affect the structural system, egress or fire-protection systems are exempt, as are certain detached one-story sheds and playhouses of 20 square feet or less¹.

After permitted work is finished, a building may not be occupied or used for more than 30 days without a certificate of occupancy from the Village Engineer⁶. Permitted work must stay exposed until the Village Engineer inspects and accepts it¹⁰.

The permit fee is set by Board of Trustees resolution and based on the total valuation of the work¹¹.

Who issues building permits in Croton-on-Hudson, and how do you reach them?

The Village Engineer, working through the village's Engineering Department, issues building permits and enforces the building code inside Croton-on-Hudson¹². The department's page says the Village Engineer "enforces building codes and zoning and environmental regulations in Croton-on-Hudson"⁹. Contact the Engineering Department at 914-271-4783, 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520⁹.

Applications go to the Village Engineer on forms provided by the Engineering Department⁴. An application that is not issued within 90 days is treated as abandoned unless the Engineer grants an extension for reasonable cause⁴.

Westchester County does not issue building permits for village land; the Uniform Code is ordinarily enforced by the local city, town or village¹³.

Does Croton-on-Hudson have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Village Board of Trustees adopted its zoning law in 1979, and the code is published as Chapter 230². It includes residential, office, commercial, industrial and waterfront districts, plus overlay districts, with an Area and Bulk Schedule setting dimensions by district⁵. Westchester County itself does not zone; New York gives zoning power to cities, towns and villages, not counties¹⁴.

The rules differ by district. In the RA-60 district, a one-family dwelling needs a lot of at least 60,000 square feet¹⁵, a front yard of at least 50 feet and a rear yard of at least 45 feet¹⁶. Maximum building coverage is 15 percent¹⁷, and each dwelling must have at least 1,400 square feet of habitable floor area¹⁸.

A manufactured home on a permanent foundation counts as a one-family detached dwelling if it meets the same standards as a site-built house⁷. We could not confirm village rules for RVs, tiny homes or short-term rentals; ask the Village Engineer before you plan around any of them⁹.

How do septic permits work in Croton-on-Hudson?

The Westchester County Department of Health reviews and permits every new subsurface sewage treatment system in the county, for residential and commercial use, and its engineers visit the site during construction³. A village building permit does not replace that county review³.

We could not confirm whether an individual lot inside the village is on public sewer or needs its own system, or what the village requires for on-site systems. Ask the Village Engineer whether your address has sewer service, and ask the county Department of Health about any septic work⁹.

Statewide, an alternative system needs plan approval from the State or county health department official before construction¹⁹.

Building a home in Croton-on-Hudson: the steps, in order

Ask the Village Engineer which zoning district your lot is in and what the Area and Bulk Schedule allows there⁵.
Check whether the lot touches an area of special flood hazard; development there needs a floodplain development permit, and the Village Engineer is the local administrator⁸.
Confirm sewer or septic with the Village Engineer and, if you need a new system, the Westchester County Department of Health³.
Apply for the building permit from the Village Engineer, with your plans⁴.
Keep work exposed for inspection until the Village Engineer accepts it¹⁰.
Get a certificate of occupancy before moving in⁶.

What stays with Westchester County, and what to check before you buy

Septic review stays with the Westchester County Department of Health, not the village³. Westchester County licenses home-improvement contractors, so check licensing before you hire²⁰. For land outside the village, see the Westchester County page; village rules do not apply there.

If the lot fronts a New York State highway, building or changing a driveway needs a NYSDOT permit²¹. Inside the village, changing access to a street can also need a change of use or access permit from the Engineering Department where site-plan approval would be required²².

Westchester County's effective property tax rate is 1.6%²³. We could not confirm any village exemption for owner-built homes, so ask the Village Engineer before you start⁹.

Watch-outs

We could not confirm village rules for RVs, tiny homes, wells or short-term rentals in Croton-on-Hudson; ask the Village Engineer at 914-271-4783 before you buy⁹.
We could not confirm how septic approval works for individual lots inside the village, so ask the Westchester County Department of Health and the Village Engineer before you close³.
Zoning limits vary by district, and the figures above are for the RA-60 district only¹⁵.

Sources

Written October 23, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Croton-on-Hudson

Village of Croton-on-Hudson’s own rules

Building permitRequired
Work within Croton-on-Hudson village that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code, including new residential construction.
- Ordinary repairs not affecting structural system, egress, or fire-protection systems are exempt.
- Certain detached one-story sheds, playhouses, or similar structures of 20 square feet or less are exempt.
- Application is made to the Village Engineer and includes required site, use, valuation, applicant, work-description, plan, inspection, and other compliance information.
detached accessory-structure exemption area: <= 20 square feet (One-story detached shed, playhouse, or similar use associated with qualifying dwellings.)
“No person, firm or corporation shall commence any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion or change in the nature of the occupancy of any building or structure or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate building permit from the Engineering Department for each such building or structure.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Buildings and structures located in Croton-on-Hudson village.
- The Village Engineer administers and enforces applicable laws under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and State Energy Conservation Construction Code.
- The Village also adopts a local energy conservation construction code using the State Energy Code as modified by NYStretch.
“Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance or regulation or except as herein otherwise provided, the Village Engineer shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the construction, alteration, repair, removal and demolition of buildings and structures and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein and the location, use, occupancy and maintenance thereof, pursuant to the provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the "Uniform Code") and State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the "Energy Code") and all other applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
InspectionsRequired
Permitted construction in Croton-on-Hudson village.
- Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
- Listed inspections apply where applicable, including site, soil bearing, foundation, framing, systems, Energy Code, manufactured-home installation, and final inspection.
- Remote inspection may substitute only when the Village Engineer determines it provides the same level and quality of information.
“Work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Village Engineer. The permit holder shall notify the Village Engineer when any element of work described in Subsection B of this section is ready for inspection.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Buildings in Croton-on-Hudson village after work requiring a building permit, and changes in use or occupancy.
- A building altered or worked on under a required permit may not remain occupied or used more than 30 days after completion without a certificate.
- A certificate is also required for a change in use or occupancy.
- Final inspection and demonstrated compliance are prerequisites; a temporary certificate may be issued only under the stated safe-occupancy, life-safety, and egress conditions.
post-completion occupancy period without certificate: <= 30 days (Applies to a building enlarged, extended, altered, or worked on under a required building permit.)
“No building hereafter enlarged, extended or altered or upon which work has been performed which required the issuance of a building permit shall continue to be occupied or used for more than 30 days after the completion of the alteration or work unless a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Village Engineer.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Croton-on-Hudson village limits.
- Chapter 230 was adopted by the Village Board of Trustees and amended as indicated in its section histories.
“[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson 6-11-1979 by L.L. No. 6-1979. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
Chapter 230: Zoning - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)
Zoning districts inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
- The code publishes an Area and Bulk Schedule and lists residential, office, commercial, industrial, waterfront, park/recreation/education, gateway overlay, watershed-protection overlay, and special districts.
“ATTACHMENTS Attachment A - Table of Zoning Map Amendments Attachment B - Schedule of Uses Attachment C - Area and Bulk Schedule Attachment D - Special Permit Schedule Attachment E - Gateway Districts Location”
Chapter 230: Zoning - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)
A manufactured home affixed to a permanent foundation inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
- It must conform to development specifications and standards generally applicable to a site-built one-family residence.
- Conditions include aesthetic and architectural standards, parking, underlying-district bulk and area requirements, minor site-plan approval, and skirting/perimeter enclosures.
“In accordance with § 616 of the Executive Law, a manufactured home affixed to a permanent foundation shall be considered a one-family detached dwelling for purposes of this Zoning Law, provided that such manufactured home conforms with the identical development specifications and standards generally applicable to a site-built one family residence as required by the Zoning Law and the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.”
Article VII: Supplementary Regulations - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
A change in access from a parcel to a street where site-plan approval would be required for building-permit issuance inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
- The change-of-use-or-access permit is not separately required or charged when site-plan approval is independently required in obtaining a building permit.
- The Board sets the fee by resolution.
“In the case of any parcel of property for which site plan approval would be required for issuance of a building permit, no person, firm or corporation shall effect any change in the nature of use of property used or occupied by it or extend or change the use thereof or change the access from said parcel of property to a street or streets or cause any of the same to be done or continue in effect any such change of use or access effected after May 18, 1964, without first obtaining a change of use or access permit from the Engineering Department.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction or other development in Village areas of special flood hazard shown on the specified Flood Insurance Rate Map.
- Application is made on local-administrator forms and may require plans and information.
- The Board sets the application fee by resolution; the applicant reimburses additional review, inspection, and approval costs, and the administrator may require a deposit up to $500.
- The Village Engineer is the local administrator.
- The chapter applies to all areas of special flood hazard within Village jurisdiction in Westchester County.
maximum review-cost deposit: <= 500 USD (For additional project review, inspection, and approval costs.)
“A floodplain development permit is hereby established for all construction and other development to be undertaken in areas of special flood hazard in this community for the purpose of protecting its citizens from increased flood hazards and ensuring that new development is constructed in a manner that minimizes its exposure to flooding.”
Chapter 129: Flood Damage Prevention - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Permit feesVariable (with conditions)
Building-permit applications inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
- The amount is set by Board of Trustees resolution and based on total valuation of proposed work.
- If an application is not approved and no construction commenced, 50% of the paid fee is refundable.
“Upon the filing of an application for a building permit, the applicant shall pay a fee therefor in an amount set by resolution of the Board of Trustees, based on the total valuation of the proposed work.”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Building-permit applications inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
- Application is made to the Village Engineer on Engineering Department forms.
- Applications expire after 90 days without issuance unless the Engineer grants extensions for reasonable cause, each not exceeding 90 days.
- The Engineer examines applications for compliance and approves or disapproves within a reasonable time.
application abandonment period: 90 days (Unless permit issued before expiration; Engineer may grant extensions for reasonable cause, each no longer than 90 days.)
“Application for a building permit shall be made to the Village Engineer on forms provided by the Engineering Department and shall contain the following information:”
Chapter 86: Building Construction - Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026

Rules another office applies inside Village of Croton-on-Hudson

Village of Croton-on-Hudson does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified
One-family dwelling in the Village RA-60 district.
- The Area and Bulk Schedule identifies the applicable text section as § 230-33.
minimum habitable floor area per dwelling unit: >= 1400 square feet · minimum main-floor area: >= 880 square feet
“RA-60 §230-33 60,000 175 225 50 30/80 45 Per d.u.: 1,400 Main floor: 880 0.15 2.5/35 15% 2 per d.u.”
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Area and Bulk Schedule ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
One-family dwelling in the Village RA-60 district.
- The schedule also specifies 175-foot minimum width and 225-foot minimum depth.
minimum lot area: >= 60000 square feet
“RA-60 §230-33 60,000 175 225 50 30/80 45 Per d.u.: 1,400 Main floor: 880 0.15 2.5/35 15% 2 per d.u.”
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Area and Bulk Schedule ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
SetbacksSpecified
One-family dwelling in the Village RA-60 district.
- Schedule columns identify minimum front, side-one/both-yards, and rear yards.
minimum front yard: >= 50 feet · minimum side yard / both side yards: 30/80 feet · minimum rear yard: >= 45 feet
“RA-60 §230-33 60,000 175 225 50 30/80 45 Per d.u.: 1,400 Main floor: 880 0.15 2.5/35 15% 2 per d.u.”
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Area and Bulk Schedule ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Lot coverageSpecified
One-family dwelling in the Village RA-60 district.
- The Area and Bulk Schedule identifies the applicable text section as § 230-33.
maximum building coverage: <= 15 percent
“RA-60 §230-33 60,000 175 225 50 30/80 45 Per d.u.: 1,400 Main floor: 880 0.15 2.5/35 15% 2 per d.u.”
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Area and Bulk Schedule ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026
Building heightSpecified
One-family dwelling in the Village RA-60 district.
- The schedule expresses the limit as stories/feet.
maximum building height: <= 2.5/35 stories/feet
“RA-60 §230-33 60,000 175 225 50 30/80 45 Per d.u.: 1,400 Main floor: 880 0.15 2.5/35 15% 2 per d.u.”
Village of Croton-on-Hudson Area and Bulk Schedule ↗Re-checked Oct 23, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Croton-on-Hudson village.
Who permits septic — On-site sewage systems inside Croton-on-Hudson village.

7 more unanswered

Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Croton-on-Hudson publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westchester County’s page lists the county offices to call.