Clarkstown, New York Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Need a building permit, inspection, or Certificate of Occupancy in Clarkstown? The Town of Clarkstown Building Department handles building-permit review, code enforcement, construction inspections, occupancy approvals, and related building services for properties under Town jurisdiction.

The office is in Clarkstown Town Hall at 10 Maple Avenue, Room 101, New City, NY 10956. The Town lists regular Building Department hours as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For permit or inspection questions, call (845) 639-2100 or email building@clarkstown.gov.

What the Clarkstown Building Department Handles

The Building Department is the local office to start with when construction, alteration, demolition, change of occupancy, building-code compliance, or final occupancy approval is involved.

Its work includes reviewing permit applications and construction documents, issuing building permits, performing required construction inspections, investigating applicable code complaints, issuing stop-work orders when necessary, and issuing Certificates of Occupancy or Certificates of Compliance after qualifying work is completed.

Some projects also involve other Clarkstown departments. The Planning Department handles Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and related land-use review. The Department of Engineering and Facilities Management reviews matters such as land disturbance, tree removal, floodplain development, stormwater, site work and certain subdivisions.

How to Get a Clarkstown Building Permit

The Town allows a property owner, authorized agent or contractor to apply. The amount of documentation depends on the project, but Clarkstown’s code requires enough information for officials to determine that the proposed work complies with applicable building and energy rules.

1. Confirm that Clarkstown is the correct authority.
   Verify that the property is under Town jurisdiction before filing. If the parcel is inside an incorporated village, confirm which local government handles its permits. New York’s permit authority can change by municipality; this is also why county-level searches sometimes lead to a local town or village office, as explained in our New York municipal permit guide for Cattaraugus County.
2. Describe the project before you apply.
   Have the property address, tax-map information, type of work, estimated cost, contractor details and proposed use ready. This helps staff identify the correct permit and any preliminary approvals.
3. Prepare the plot plan or survey when required.
   Clarkstown’s published permit guidance asks for a scaled plot plan showing the lot, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks to lot lines and other structures, and sanitary/storm-sewer provisions. Chapter 109 also describes a licensed-surveyor plot plan for applicable applications.
4. Prepare construction drawings.
   Clarkstown’s public guidance calls for two sets of construction drawings for plan review. Current Chapter 109 requires at least two sets of applicable construction documents and may require architectural or engineering information depending on the work.
5. Submit the application to the Building Department.
   Start with the official Clarkstown Building Permit page, then use the Town’s forms and downloads area. If the correct application is not visible, call (845) 639-2100 before visiting Room 101.
6. Wait for approval before starting regulated work.
   Returning or accepting plans does not itself authorize construction. Work requiring a permit can begin only after the permit is actually issued.
7. Display the permit and keep approved plans on site.
   Clarkstown requires the building permit to remain visibly displayed while authorized work is underway. Keep the approved construction documents available for inspectors.
8. Request each required inspection before work is covered.
   The permit holder must notify the Building Department when a required stage is ready. Structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy and other work that requires inspection should remain accessible.
9. Complete the final inspection and close the permit.
   Resolve corrections, obtain applicable trade approvals and apply for the required Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance.

What Documents May Be Required?

A simple repair and a new building do not require the same paperwork. For a project involving new construction, an addition, structural work or substantial alterations, prepare for some or all of the following:

• Completed and signed building permit application.
• Property street address and tax-map number.
• Detailed description and scope of work.
• Project valuation or estimated cost.
• Scaled plot plan or current property survey.
• Location of existing and proposed structures.
• Property-line setbacks and distances between structures.
• Construction drawings and specifications.
• Structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire-protection details when applicable.
• Energy-code compliance information.
• Flood-hazard information where applicable.
• Architect or professional engineer documents when required by New York law and the project scope.
• Special-inspection documentation for qualifying construction.
• Separate zoning, planning, engineering or environmental approvals when applicable.

A complete application is easier to review. Missing dimensions, surveys, structural information or zoning details are common reasons a project has to go through another review cycle.

Which Projects Need a Building Permit?

Clarkstown’s current code generally requires a permit for work that must comply with the New York State Uniform Code or Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of buildings or structures.

Work That May Be Exempt From a Building Permit

Clarkstown’s current Chapter 109 contains several permit exemptions. An exemption from a building permit does not mean zoning, safety, property-line, floodplain or other laws can be ignored.

Examples currently listed in the Town Code include:

• A one-story detached tool shed, storage shed, playhouse or similar structure associated with a one- or two-family dwelling or townhouse when its gross floor area does not exceed 144 square feet.
• Painting, wallpaper, tile, carpeting and similar finish work.
• Certain minor repairs that do not affect structural systems, required egress or fire-protection systems.
• Certain listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or cooling appliances or equipment.
• Some direct equipment replacements that do not change the equipment listing or specifications.
• Residential playground equipment.
• Some above-ground residential swimming pools designed for less than 24 inches of water depth.
• Fences that are not part of a swimming-pool enclosure.
• Certain retaining walls.

Clarkstown Building Permit Fees

The Town’s currently published Building Permit page lists a construction-cost-based fee of $150 for the first $1,000 of estimated work, plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or part of $1,000.

These examples use the basic formula published on the Town’s Building Permit page. They are not project quotations. Sign permits, variances, renewals, inspections, certificates, engineering review, planning review or other approvals can involve additional charges. Chapter 109 states that the Town Board establishes and may amend the official fee schedule.

How Long Is a Clarkstown Building Permit Valid?

This is an important detail that is easy to miss. Under current Clarkstown Town Code §109-4:

• The permit becomes invalid if authorized work is not started within six months after issuance.
• The building permit expires 18 months after issuance.
• An invalid or expired permit may be renewed by application, payment of the applicable fee and approval by the Code Enforcement Officer.

If your project is moving slowly, do not wait until the last day. Contact the department while the permit is still active and ask what is required to keep the project in good standing.

Clarkstown Building Inspections

Required inspections depend on the work. Clarkstown’s code says permitted work must remain accessible and exposed until it has been inspected and accepted.

Possible inspection stages include:

How to request an inspection

1. Find your permit number and property address.
2. Check the permit and approved plans for the required inspection sequence.
3. Make sure the work for that stage is complete but still visible.
4. Call the Building Department at (845) 639-2100 and identify the inspection you need, unless your permit provides another scheduling instruction.
5. Ask what site access, paperwork or trade approvals the inspector needs.
6. Do not cover rejected or uninspected work.
7. If corrections are issued, complete them and arrange reinspection before proceeding with dependent work.

Clarkstown’s code also allows a remote inspection at the discretion of the Code Enforcement Officer or authorized inspector when a remote review can provide the same quality of information. An in-person inspection can still be required when the remote review is not sufficient.

Electrical Work and Third-Party Inspections

Electrical work in Clarkstown has an extra step. The Town’s permit guidance says electrical work is inspected by an approved third-party electrical inspection agency, which issues a certificate of approval.

For work that requires electrical inspection, the electrician must generally file the inspection application with an approved agency and provide the required copy to the Building Department.

The Town currently links an official approved-inspector PDF in its Building resources. The accessible list we reviewed is dated March 31, 2023, so use it as a starting point rather than assuming every listing is unchanged in 2026.

1. Open the Clarkstown Downloads page.
2. Locate the current Building Department electrical-inspector list.
3. Confirm with the Building Department that the inspection company you plan to use is still accepted.
4. Have the electrician complete the required inspection filing.
5. Keep the final electrical approval because it may be needed to close the building permit or obtain a Certificate of Occupancy.

Clarkstown also states that most electrical work must be performed by or under the supervision of an electrician licensed by Rockland County, subject to limited owner-occupant provisions for qualifying single-family homes.

Plumbing Work

Clarkstown’s published guidance says a permit is required for work such as installing new plumbing fixtures or new water-supply, sanitary, storm-drainage or vent lines.

An owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling may perform qualifying plumbing work personally but still must obtain a building permit when required. In other cases, Clarkstown directs property owners to use plumbers licensed and registered through Rockland County where the work requires it.

If you are simply replacing a fixture in the same location, ask the Building Department whether your exact work qualifies as an exempt replacement before assuming no permit is needed.

Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Compliance

Finishing construction is not always the final step. Clarkstown requires a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance for work covered by a building permit and for qualifying changes in use or occupancy.

A final approval may require:

• Final Building Department inspection.
• Final electrical approval.
• Final plumbing inspection where applicable.
• Final survey or as-built information.
• Structural-observation or special-inspection reports where applicable.
• Energy-code testing or compliance documentation.
• Flood-hazard certifications where required.
• Engineering confirmation for required site improvements.
• Fire-alarm, sprinkler or other fire-safety approvals for applicable occupancies.

Micro-step: applying for the CO

1. Confirm your building permit is valid and the permitted work is complete.
2. Finish all required trade and final inspections.
3. Collect final electrical and other certificates.
4. Open the official Certificate of Occupancy instructions.
5. Prepare the owner name, permit number and property map/block/lot information.
6. Submit the application and supporting documents requested for your project.
7. Resolve any zoning, code or inspection deficiencies.
8. Do not treat the permit as closed until the required final certificate has been issued.

2026 New York Building Codes Used in Clarkstown

New York adopted the 2025 New York State Uniform Code and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code, with the updated codes becoming effective on December 31, 2025. That means new permit applications submitted in 2026 generally fall under the 2025 New York code family together with Clarkstown’s local requirements.

The statewide code family includes residential, building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire, property-maintenance and existing-building requirements.

The New York Department of State reported in July 2026 that implementation and enforcement of specific 2025 provisions prohibiting fossil-fuel equipment and building systems in new buildings remained suspended by court order. That suspension does not suspend the rest of the 2025 building or energy codes.

For another example of how the same statewide code update works at the municipal level, see our Armonk Building Department guide. Larger New York cities can use different local application procedures even while the statewide code framework still matters; our Albany building permit guide shows that difference.

NYS Code Adoption Notice Clarkstown Town Code

2026 Clarkstown Development Moratorium: Who Is Affected?

This is one of the most important differences between a routine Clarkstown home-improvement permit and a larger development application in late 2026.

Local Law No. 12-2026, adopted September 15, 2026, created a six-month moratorium on certain discretionary development approvals outside incorporated villages. The law can be extended for one additional period of up to six months if the Town Board makes the required finding.

The law prevents new non-exempt applications for discretionary approvals such as certain subdivisions, site plans, special permits and variances from being accepted or processed during the moratorium.

Approvals specifically exempted by the local law include

• Area variances for single-family lots or signs and certain zoning-code interpretations.
• Ministerial permits such as a building permit.
• Commercial or industrial site-plan or special-permit projects of 5,000 square feet or less.
• Qualifying projects in the HC-N, TOD-1, TOD-2, TOD-3 and TOD-PUD zoning districts.
• Subdivisions containing no more than five lots.
• Site plans containing no more than five dwelling units.
• Certain applications that had already reached specified SEQRA milestones before adoption of the law.

The law also says a potential applicant may still appear before the Technical Advisory Committee.

Read Local Law 12-2026 Town Moratorium Update

Fire Permits for Businesses and Other Occupancies

Building permits are not the only approval handled through Clarkstown’s building/code operations. The Town states that certain occupancies require an annual Fire Permit, with applications made during January for the coming year.

Examples listed by the Town include business, industrial and mercantile occupancies, multiple residences, places of assembly, garages, hazardous-material storage, service stations, welding or cutting activities and several other regulated uses.

The tenant is generally responsible for the permit for the tenant’s establishment, while a landlord may be responsible for common areas where applicable.

Official Fire Permit Information

When Engineering or Planning Approval May Be Needed

A building permit does not replace every other approval. Clarkstown’s Engineering and Facilities Management Department can become involved with:

• Land-disturbance permits.
• Tree-removal permits.
• Stormwater requirements.
• Floodplain development permits.
• Commercial site plans.
• Residential subdivisions.
• Site-work inspection.
• Drainage or related infrastructure review.

The Planning Department supports the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and Technical Advisory Committee and provides zoning and land-use guidance.

If your proposal changes the use of land, creates lots, needs a variance, changes commercial occupancy, affects flood-prone property or involves substantial site work, ask about these departments before assuming the building permit is the only approval.

Common Problems That Delay a Clarkstown Permit

• Starting work before the permit is issued.
• Using an old survey that does not show existing site conditions.
• Leaving setbacks or lot dimensions off the site plan.
• Submitting drawings without enough structural detail.
• Assuming zoning approval is automatic.
• Failing to disclose a change in use or commercial tenant.
• Covering framing, plumbing, wiring or insulation before required inspections.
• Not obtaining the third-party electrical certificate.
• Changing approved construction without notifying the Building Department.
• Allowing the permit to become inactive or expire.
• Finishing the work but never obtaining the required CO or Certificate of Compliance.

Best Way to Contact Clarkstown Before Starting

You do not need to know every code section before calling. A short, specific question usually gets you farther than simply asking, “Do I need a permit?”

You can ask:

“I am planning [project] at [property address]. Can you confirm whether a building permit is required, what application and drawings I need, whether zoning or Engineering approval must come first, and which inspections will be required?”

That simple question can save a surprising amount of time and prevent you from preparing the wrong set of documents.

Clarkstown Building Department FAQs

Official Clarkstown Resources

• Clarkstown Building Department
• Building Permit Requirements
• Town Forms and Downloads
• Building Department FAQs
• Certificate of Occupancy Guidance
• Fire Permit Information
• Clarkstown Chapter 109 — Building Construction Administration
• Local Law No. 12-2026 — Development Moratorium
• Clarkstown Planning Department
• Engineering & Facilities Management
• New York State 2025 Code Adoption Notice

Information reviewed: October 23, 2026. Requirements, fees, staff, forms and moratorium status can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by the Town of Clarkstown. For a property-specific approval or binding code determination, the Town’s current requirements control.