Bolthole Index

Westchester County, New York

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Town of Greenburgh, New York

Building permits are required in unincorporated Greenburgh, Westchester County, New York, and the Town of Greenburgh issues them1. Zoning is the Town's own, set by Chapter 285 of the Town Code2. Septic systems and private wells need Westchester County Health Department approval, which must accompany the Town building-permit application3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for work that must meet the Uniform Code; issued by the Town of Greenburgh Building Department1
Zoning
Town zoning (Chapter 285) applies in unincorporated Greenburgh, outside the incorporated villages2
Septic and wells
Westchester County Health Department approval goes in with the Town application34
Permit fee (new work)
$100 application fee plus $18 per $1,000 of construction cost5
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a building or structure is occupied6
Owner as contractor
Allowed with $500,000 per-occurrence liability insurance naming the Town7
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Building Department8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Greenburgh Building Department

Building permits, plan review, inspections and certificates of occupancy in unincorporated Greenburgh

914-989-1560

building@greenburghny.gov

177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY 10607

Planning & zoning

Town of Greenburgh Planning Division

Staff to the Planning Board, Town Board and Zoning Board for development applications in unincorporated Greenburgh (phone is the Town Hall main line)

914-989-1500

177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY 10607

Septic permits

Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management

Septic contractor licensing, repairs and records for the whole county

(914) 995-7285

148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

Septic permits

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

Reviews and permits subdivision plans and new subsurface sewage treatment systems

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 Town of Greenburgh means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Greenburgh, NY?

Yes, in unincorporated Greenburgh a building permit is required for any work that must conform to the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or Chapter 100 of the Town Code, including constructing, enlarging, altering, removing or relocating a building or structure1. The Town lists exemptions for items such as specified finish work, same-dimension incidental replacements and certain low fences, and an application and permit must come before work begins1. New York's Uniform Code is automatically in effect statewide outside New York City, and no town can exclude itself from it9. Greenburgh also requires inspections while work stays exposed, plus a final inspection when it is finished10. This applies inside the Town but outside its incorporated villages; a village sets its own permit rules2.

Who issues building permits in Greenburgh, and how do you reach them?

The Town of Greenburgh Building Department handles plan review, permitting, inspections and code enforcement; call 914-989-1560 or write building@greenburghny.gov8. The office is at 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh, NY 106078. Fees for new work are a $100 application fee plus $18 per $1,000 of construction cost, rounded up5. Application fees are non-refundable, and permit fees are non-refundable once the permit is issued5. Westchester County does not issue Greenburgh's building permits; the county's Planning Department only reviews certain zoning actions referred by municipalities11.

Does Greenburgh have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes, the Town Board adopted a zoning chapter that divides the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh into districts2. Westchester County itself cannot zone, because New York law gives zoning power to cities, towns and villages rather than counties12. Lot size, coverage, building height and required open spaces all vary by district and sit in the Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings, which is on file in Town offices13141516. Ask the Planning Division for your parcel's district before you design anything. Planning Board approval is required for subdivisions, which have their own Chapter 250 procedure17; the Zoning Board of Appeals hears area and use variances18.

How do septic permits and wells work in Greenburgh?

Septic permits in Greenburgh come from the Westchester County Department of Health, not the Town. The Town's application instructions say that when a septic tank or field or well water exists, Health Department approval must be submitted with the building-permit application34. The county reviews and permits every new subsurface sewage treatment system for residential and commercial use19, and licenses the septic contractors who work on them20. Where a property is in a sewer district it can connect to public sewer, and a property outside a district needs one created or extended first21. Greenburgh's published rules on inspection frequency for existing private septic systems are unconfirmed; ask the county Health Department at (914) 995-728520.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Greenburgh?

We could not confirm any rule on RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy in the Town of Greenburgh's zoning chapter. Accessory dwelling units, manufactured homes and short-term rentals are also unconfirmed. Whatever the structure, a certificate of occupancy is required before it is occupied or used6. Because the Town zones by district, the answer depends on your parcel; call the Building Department at 914-989-1560 before parking or building anything meant for living in8.

Building a home in Greenburgh: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Planning Division which zoning district your parcel is in and what the Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings allows13.
  2. If the property has a septic system or a well, get Westchester County Health Department approval first3.
  3. File the Town building-permit application with the $100 application fee, and expect the permit fee of $18 per $1,000 of construction cost5.
  4. If you act as your own general contractor, provide general liability insurance of $500,000 per occurrence naming the Town as additionally insured7.
  5. Leave work exposed for inspection and request the final inspection10.
  6. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in6.

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

Septic and well approvals, and subdivision review of sewage disposal, stay with the Westchester County Department of Health319. Land outside the Town's unincorporated area follows the rules of its own village or city; see the Westchester County page for the county overview. County figures: the typical home value is $879,21922, the effective property tax rate is 1.6%23, and only 9.7% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional septic field, so expect a site evaluation24. Driveway or curb access rules for Greenburgh parcels are unconfirmed; the Town materials mention street-opening permits, so confirm with the Building Department.

Watch-outs

  • Greenburgh's incorporated villages are outside the Town's unincorporated-area zoning and building rules, so confirm whether your address is in a village before relying on this page2.
  • Septic and well approval from the Westchester County Health Department must be in hand when you file, so start there to avoid a stalled Town application3.
  • We could not confirm Town rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or agricultural buildings; call the Building Department at 914-989-15608.

Sources

  1. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 100 Building, Fire and Plumbing (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 285 Zoning (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  3. Town of Greenburgh Building Permit Application Instructions & Submission Requirements (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  4. Town of Greenburgh Building Permit Application Instructions & Submission Requirements (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  5. Town of Greenburgh Building Permit Application Instructions & Submission Requirements (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  6. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 100 Building, Fire and Plumbing (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Greenburgh Building Permit Application Instructions & Submission Requirements (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  8. Town of Greenburgh Building Department (greenburghny.com)
  9. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: What Elected Officials Need to Know (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 100 Building, Fire and Plumbing (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  11. Legal Memorandum LG03: NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code: What Elected Officials Need to Know, quoted and re-checked
  12. documents.dps.ny.gov (New York statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 285, Article III District Regulations and Map (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  14. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 285, Article III District Regulations and Map (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  15. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 285, Article III District Regulations and Map (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  16. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 285, Article III District Regulations and Map (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  17. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 250 Subdivision Regulations (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  18. Town of Greenburgh Planning Division (greenburghny.com)
  19. Westchester County Department of Health, Realty Subdivision and Land Development Review (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  20. Westchester County Department of Health, Septic System Management (health.westchestercountyny.gov)
  21. Town of Greenburgh Code, Chapter 160 Sewers (Town of Greenburgh), quoted and re-checked
  22. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data

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 Town of Greenburgh

Town of Greenburgh’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Work on buildings and structures in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • Exempt work includes specified finish work, same-dimension incidental replacements, certain low fences, retaining walls below four feet, and listed small antenna installations.
    • An application and permit must be obtained before work begins.
    “Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a Building Permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code, the Energy Code and/or this Chapter, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Homeowners acting as general contractors on Town building-permit applications.

    • The applicant instructions require stated liability insurance and workers-compensation documentation conditions for homeowners acting as general contractors.
    “Exception: Homeowners acting as General Contractor shall provide General Liability showing Town of Greenburgh as additionally insured for $500,000 coverage/occurrence.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Structures and buildings in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • The code identifies New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, NFPA, National Electrical Code, and ANSI standards as applicable in Unincorporated Greenburgh.
    “Pursuant to the provisions of § 373 of the New York State Executive Law, the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, the National Electrical Code promulgated by NFPA and standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are deemed applicable in Unincorporated Greenburgh.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • Work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted.
    • The Building Inspector may require additional inspections.
    • A final inspection is required after all permitted work is completed.
    “Work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Building Inspector or by a Code Enforcement Officer authorized by the Building Inspector. The Permit Holder shall notify the Building Inspector when any element of work described in Subsections B and C of this section is ready for inspection.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings and structures in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • A pre-1945 building may seek a substitute certificate of occupancy after zoning compliance is established.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued only when the Building Inspector determines the covered area may be occupied safely, required fire equipment is operational, and required egress is provided; it may not exceed six months.
    “Certificate of Occupancy required. No building or structure may be occupied or used for any purpose until a certificate of occupancy authorizing the use has been issued by the Building Inspector.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land in unincorporated Greenburgh, within the Town of Greenburgh but outside incorporated villages.

    • The zoning chapter was adopted by the Town Board and applies to the town's unincorporated area.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh is hereby divided into the following classes of districts:”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts in unincorporated Greenburgh, including R-40 One-Family Residence District.

    • The adopted Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings sets limitations on lot size by district and is on file in Town offices.
    “To facilitate public understanding of this chapter and for the better administration thereof, the regulations establishing the permitted uses of land and buildings; the limitations on the size of lots, percent of coverage of land by height and maximum size of buildings; required open spaces and all other requirements for each of the districts established by Article III of this chapter are set forth in the schedule designated as "Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings," which is annexed hereto.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • Required open spaces and other district requirements are in the adopted Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings, which is on file in Town offices.
    “For purposes of this section, the more restrictive district shall be deemed that district subject to regulations which prohibit the use intended to be made of said lot or which require higher standards with respect to density, coverage, yards, screening, landscaping, lighting, parking, loading and similar requirements.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • The adopted Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings sets land-coverage limitations by district and is on file in Town offices.
    “To facilitate public understanding of this chapter and for the better administration thereof, the regulations establishing the permitted uses of land and buildings; the limitations on the size of lots, percent of coverage of land by height and maximum size of buildings; required open spaces and all other requirements for each of the districts established by Article III of this chapter are set forth in the schedule designated as "Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings," which is annexed hereto.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Zoning districts in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • The adopted Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings sets building-height limitations by district and is on file in Town offices.
    “To facilitate public understanding of this chapter and for the better administration thereof, the regulations establishing the permitted uses of land and buildings; the limitations on the size of lots, percent of coverage of land by height and maximum size of buildings; required open spaces and all other requirements for each of the districts established by Article III of this chapter are set forth in the schedule designated as "Schedule Controlling Land and Buildings," which is annexed hereto.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Public sewer connections in Greenburgh.

    • A connection is allowed only where the property is within a sewer district; creation or extension of a sewer district is required for property not previously included.
    • Connection inspection fees are payable before connection and are at least $1,500 where the property has not paid part of the Town's sewer-main inspection cost.

    minimum sewer connection inspection fee: >= 1500 USD (Where a new connection is made and the property has not paid part of the Town's main-sewer inspection cost.)

    “No person shall connect to a public sewer unless his property is within a sewer district. New sewer districts or extensions of existing districts must be established for such properties when not previously included.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in unincorporated Greenburgh.

    • The chapter includes Planning Board approval procedure, required improvements, design standards, required documents, modifications and waivers, and Planning Board authority to impose conditions.
    “These regulations supersede former Ch. 47, Subdivision Regulations, adopted by the Planning Board 10-14-1960 and approved by the Town Board 10-18-1960, as amended.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    New-work building-permit applications submitted to Greenburgh.

    • Application fees are non-refundable; permit fees are non-refundable after permit issuance.
    • The quoted schedule is contained in the Town's current application instructions.

    application fee: 100 USD (New work.) · building permit fee: per 18 USD per $1,000 construction cost (New work; construction cost is rounded up.)

    “Application Fee..................................................... $ 100.00 + Building Permit Fee ……………………………...$ 18/per $1,000 of Construction Cost (ROUND UP)”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Greenburgh

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

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private disposal systems in Greenburgh subject to a Town building-permit application.

    • The applicant instructions require Westchester County Health Department approval when private disposal exists.
    “If private disposal (septic tank/field) and/or well water exist, approval by the Westchester County Health Department (914-813-5256) must be submitted with the application.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Building-permit applications where well water exists in Greenburgh.

    • County Health Department approval must accompany the Town application when well water exists.
    “If private disposal (septic tank/field) and/or well water exist, approval by the Westchester County Health Department (914-813-5256) must be submitted with the application.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land in Greenburgh.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Greenburgh.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Greenburgh.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy in Greenburgh.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Greenburgh.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • 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 Town of Greenburgh publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westchester County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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