Bolthole Index

Westchester County, New York

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Village of Dobbs Ferry, New York

The Village of Dobbs Ferry, in Westchester County, New York, requires a building permit for erecting, adding to or structurally altering a building or structure1. The Village sets its own zoning under Chapter 300 of its code2. Building permits and zoning questions go to the Village Building Department3. Septic plans for new systems are reviewed by the Westchester County Department of Health4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for building, addition or structural alteration; the Village issues it13
Zoning
Yes, Village Chapter 300 with mapped districts25
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a new or changed building is used6
Minimum lot size
Depends on district, from 5,000 to 40,000 square feet net in the OF districts7
Septic
County Department of Health reviews new systems; Village rule unconfirmed4
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Building Department3
Building code
New York State Uniform Code, applied by the Village8

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Dobbs Ferry Building Department

Building permits, plumbing and electric permits, signs, demolition, land use determinations and construction inspections inside the Village

(914) 231-8513

112 Main Street Dobbs Ferry , NY 10522

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health

Review and permitting of new subsurface sewage treatment systems and records requests, countywide

(914) 995-7285

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Do you need a building permit in Dobbs Ferry, NY?

Yes. The Village of Dobbs Ferry requires a building permit for the erection, addition to or structural alteration of a building or structure, and for specified signs1. Only municipally owned structures on municipally owned land are exempt1.

The application goes to the Building Inspector with a scaled plan in triplicate, and the Inspector can ask for a plan prepared by a licensed engineer or architect9. Where the lot's elevation varies by more than 2 feet, a contour map certified by a licensed surveyor is required9. Permit fees are set by the Board of Trustees, so ask the Building Department for the current figure10.

When the work is done, a certificate of occupancy from the Building Inspector is required before the building is used6.

Who issues building permits in the Village of Dobbs Ferry?

The Village Building Department processes applications and issues permits for building, plumbing, electric, signs, tree removal, on-street dumpsters, demolition and erosion control3. It also accepts submittals for the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and architectural and historic review3.

Reach the Building Department at (914) 231-8513, or at 112 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 105223. Dobbs Ferry construction follows the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, with the Village's own additions8.

Does Dobbs Ferry have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and height?

Yes. Dobbs Ferry zoning is Chapter 300 of the Village code, adopted by the Board of Trustees2. The chapter establishes zoning districts and publishes permitted-use tables, dimensional tables and a district map5.

Lot size depends on the district. In the OF-6 through OF-1 districts, minimum net lot area runs from 5,000 square feet in OF-6 to 40,000 square feet in OF-1, with OF-5 at 7,500, OF-4 at 10,000, OF-3 at 15,000 and OF-2 at 20,0007. Those same districts limit structures to 2½ stories under Table B-111. Subdividing land is regulated under Chapter 300 as well12.

We could not confirm the Village's rules on RVs, tiny homes, camping, manufactured homes or minimum dwelling size, so ask the Building Department before planning any of them3.

How do septic permits work in Dobbs Ferry?

Septic is not decided by the Village Building Department. The Westchester County Department of Health reviews and permits new subsurface sewage treatment systems in the county4. Statewide, approval from a city or county health department may still be needed before construction even for small systems13.

We could not confirm whether the Village has its own rule for private sewage disposal or sewer connection on a given lot. Call the County Department of Health at (914) 995-7285 and the Village Building Department at (914) 231-8513 before you assume a property can use a septic system43.

Building a home in Dobbs Ferry: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Building Department which zoning district the parcel is in and whether a land use determination is needed3.
  2. Check the district's minimum net lot area and height limit in the Village dimensional tables711.
  3. Apply for the building permit with a scaled plan in triplicate9.
  4. If the property would need a septic system, get the plan reviewed by the County Department of Health4.
  5. Keep work accessible and exposed until it is inspected and accepted14.
  6. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before using the building6.

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

Westchester County does not set Dobbs Ferry's zoning or issue its building permits; those stay with the Village15. For land outside the Village, see the Westchester County page.

Before you buy, confirm the zoning district, the lot's net area after the Village's deductions, and how the property is served by sewer or septic7. Westchester County's median property tax bill is $10,001 a year, an effective rate of 1.6%1617.

Watch-outs

  • Building and zoning questions are answered by the Village, not Westchester County, so do not call the county planning counter about a Dobbs Ferry lot15.
  • We could not confirm Village rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, wells or private sewage disposal; ask the Building Department at (914) 231-85133.
  • Permit fees are set from time to time by the Board of Trustees, so budget from the current schedule rather than an old figure10.

Sources

  1. Article II: Building Permits - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 300: Zoning and Land Use - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  3. Village of Dobbs Ferry Building Department (dobbsferry.gov)
  4. Westchester County Department of Health (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  5. Chapter 300: Zoning and Land Use - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article III: Certificates of Occupancy - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  7. Village of Dobbs Ferry Zoning and Land Use, Appendix B: Dimensional Tables (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article I: Standards - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article II: Building Permits - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  10. Article II: Building Permits - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  11. Village of Dobbs Ferry Zoning and Land Use, Appendix B: Dimensional Tables (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 300: Zoning and Land Use - Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY (Village of Dobbs Ferry), quoted and re-checked
  13. State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit Program (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: What Elected Officials Need to Know, quoted and re-checked
  15. Director of Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  16. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  17. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Dobbs Ferry

Village of Dobbs Ferry’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, addition to, or structural alteration of a building or structure, and specified signs, inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • All applicable laws and ordinances must be complied with.
    • A Chapter 300 special permit is required where that chapter requires one.
    • Municipally owned structures on municipally owned land do not require a building permit.
    “No building permit shall be required for municipally owned structures upon municipally owned land.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction, substantial renovations, alterations, and additions inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • Except as set forth in the Village code.
    • Village provisions apply where the State Building Construction Code calls for regulations of the authority having jurisdiction.
    • NYStretch Energy Code 2020 applies to building-permit applications submitted on or after the local law's effective date.
    “Except as may be set forth in this code, the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention Building Code provided for by Article 18 of the Executive Law of the State of New York and the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code promulgated pursuant to Article 11 of the Energy Law (collectively "State Building Construction Code") that regulates the construction, substantial renovations, alterations and additions, including the installation of equipment essential to building operation and maintenance, such as plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation and fire protection equipment, shall be applicable to all construction, substantial renovations, alterations and additions in the Village.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use of buildings or premises created, erected, changed, converted, enlarged, wholly or partly in use or structure, inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • The certificate must show conformity with applicable laws and ordinances.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued at the Building Inspector's discretion, on the terms, conditions, and time period determined by the Inspector, provided the entire building or premises conforms within that period.
    “It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any building or premises or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted or enlarged, wholly or partly, in its use or structure, until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued by the Building Inspector.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Dobbs Ferry village limits.

    • Chapter 300 was adopted by the Village Board of Trustees; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Dobbs Ferry 9-28-2010 by L.L. No. 4-2010. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • Chapter 300 publishes permitted-use tables, dimensional tables, and a zoning-district map as attachments.
    “The following zoning districts are established:”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • Chapter 300 contains general provisions and later preliminary- and final-plat procedures.
    “Article XIV Subdivision of Land § 300-55 Definitions. § 300-56 General provisions.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Village building permits and certificates of occupancy.

    • Building-permit and certificate-of-occupancy fees are set from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
    • The code cross-references Chapter 175, Fees.
    “The fee for a certificate of occupancy shall be as set from time to time by the Board of Trustees.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • An application and triplicate scaled plan must be filed with the Building Inspector before issuance.
    • The Building Inspector may require a plan prepared by a licensed engineer or architect.
    • For elevation variation exceeding two feet, a licensed-surveyor-certified contour map is required.

    plan copies: 3 copies (Application plan drawn to scale) · elevation-variation threshold: > 2 feet (Triggers certified contour map)

    “No building permit shall be issued until there has been filed with the Building Inspector an application therefor, together with a plan in triplicate drawn to scale, showing the actual dimensions of the building, structure or sign, as the case may be, radii and angles of the lot to be built upon, or the exact location of a proposed sign, the location on the lot of the proposed building or structure, and such other information as may be necessary to enable the Building Inspector to determine that the proposed building, structure or sign is in conformity with all applicable provisions of law and ordinances.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Dobbs Ferry

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

  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    OF-6, OF-5, OF-4, OF-3, OF-2, and OF-1 districts inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • Net lot area is determined by deducting the adjustments specified in § 300-34A(2) from gross lot area.

    minimum net lot area OF-6: 5000 square feet · minimum net lot area OF-5: 7500 square feet · minimum net lot area OF-4: 10000 square feet · minimum net lot area OF-3: 15000 square feet · minimum net lot area OF-2: 20000 square feet · minimum net lot area OF-1: 40000 square feet

    “Minimum net lot area (square feet) 5,000 7,500 10,000 15,000 20,000 40,000”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    OF-6, OF-5, OF-4, OF-3, OF-2, and OF-1 districts inside Dobbs Ferry village.

    • Table B-1 limits structures to 2½ stories and directs maximum height to Tables B-6 and B-7, which were not fully extracted.

    maximum stories: 2½ stories (OF-6 through OF-1 under Table B-1)

    “Table B-1: OF Districts Dimensional Standards [Amended 6-14-2011 by L.L. No. 6-2011; 7-13-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Dobbs Ferry village.
  • Inspections — Building work inside Dobbs Ferry village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Dobbs Ferry village.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside Dobbs Ferry village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Dobbs Ferry village.
12 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Dobbs Ferry publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westchester County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Westchester County: county rules, score and offices