Bedford, NY Building Permits: Where to Start
The Town of Bedford Building Department handles building permits, construction plan reviews, inspections, and related code enforcement for properties under its jurisdiction in Bedford, Westchester County, New York.
To apply for a permit, use the Town’s official City Squared permitting instructions. For inspection scheduling or permit questions, call 914-666-8040.
Important: This guide covers Bedford, New York. Bedford, Massachusetts; Bedford, Texas; and Bedford, Virginia have separate permitting authorities.
425 Cherry Street
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:30 AM–4 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM–Noon
Eastern Time; holidays excluded
Permit applications, payments, application tracking, and property permit history through City Squared.
Official department: Town of Bedford Building Department. Contact information and public hours should be reconfirmed before visiting.
What Permits Does Bedford Require?
Bedford requires permits for many home improvements, structural changes, and construction projects. The specific permit depends on the work, property conditions, and zoning district.
| Project | Permit Guidance |
|---|---|
| New buildings and additions | Building permit and plan review generally required. |
| Interior renovations or finished basements | Permit requirements depend on the work; structural, electrical, and plumbing changes generally require permits. |
| Sheds and accessory structures | Building permit required for sheds of every size. |
| Electrical installations and upgrades | Electrical permit required; work must be performed by a Westchester County-licensed electrician. |
| Plumbing and gas work | Applicable plumbing permit and Westchester County-licensed plumber required. |
| Swimming pools, generators, and demolition | Specific permit applications apply. |
| Fences, signs, solar, and tree removal | Permit or other local approval may be required depending on the proposal. |
What about routine replacements? The Town’s FAQ identifies examples of work that may not require a building permit, such as replacing shingles, siding, windows, or cabinets without structural changes. However, its department guidance also flags some of these projects for permit review. Confirm the exact scope with the Building Department before relying on an exemption.
Bedford Shed Permit Rules
Bedford’s July 2026 building permit application provides particularly specific shed requirements:
- 100 sq. ft. or less: A permit is required. The shed must be no more than 10 feet high to use the stated reduced side and rear setbacks: one-third of the required setback, with the full front setback maintained. Manufacturer specifications are required.
- 101–144 sq. ft.: A permit, manufacturer specifications, and the zoning district’s full setbacks are required.
- Over 144 sq. ft.: Full zoning setbacks and plans stamped by a New York State-licensed architect or engineer are required.
Show the shed location and distances to property lines on a survey or site plan. The applicable zoning district controls the exact setback distances.
How to Apply for a Bedford Building Permit Online
City Squared is the Town’s preferred online application system. The February 2026 municipal instructions describe the following process.
- Open the official portal instructions. Visit the Town of Bedford online permit page and follow its City Squared access link.
- Register or sign in. Create a City Squared Connect account, confirm your email, and complete the Town of Bedford registration. If the municipality does not appear automatically, search for “Town of Bedford.”
- Choose the application. Select “Building Department Permits,” then select the permit type appropriate for the project.
- Describe the work. Enter the project description, contact details, construction cost, property type, and any required setbacks.
- Select the property. Search for the project address, add the correct property, and associate the appropriate owner or contractor contact.
- Upload supporting documents. Attach the required plans, survey, forms, insurance documents, and other materials for the selected permit.
- Review and pay. Confirm the application information, save the confirmation, and complete the required payment using the available online payment method.
- Track approval. Use the City Squared dashboard to follow the application, respond to review requests, and obtain the issued permit before starting regulated work.
Prefer paper applications? The Town permits hard-copy submissions with payment by mail or in person. Checks should be made payable to the Town of Bedford. A metal mailbox is available outside the building for after-hours drop-offs. Do not email permit applications.
View the official February 2026 step-by-step portal guide (PDF).
Documents Needed for a Building Permit
Requirements depend on the project, but Bedford’s July 2026 application identifies the following common filing materials.
- Application: Completed permit form identifying the owner, property, contractor, zoning district, proposed work, and estimated cost.
- Property survey or site plan: Two copies for applicable paper filings, showing setback measurements, coverage calculations, and septic system location.
- Construction drawings: Two initial plan sets. A New York State-licensed architect or engineer must stamp plans for work over $20,000 or involving structural work, regardless of cost. Three final approved plan sets are required before permit release. The Town limits plan sheets to 24 by 36 inches.
- Energy documentation: Required energy affidavits for new construction, additions, and most renovations, subject to project-specific exceptions.
- Owner authorization: Written permission when an agent or contractor applies without the owner’s signature on the application.
- Contractor credentials: Applicable Westchester County home improvement license, workers’ compensation certificate, and disability insurance documentation. The Town’s instructions specifically reject ACORD forms for the stated insurance requirements.
- Additional approvals: Wetlands, historic district, planning, zoning, or other approvals where the property’s conditions or work require them.
Owner-builders should confirm which insurance exemption or attestation documents apply to their situation rather than submitting contractor paperwork that does not fit their status.
Read Bedford’s July 2026 Building Permit Application and filing checklist (PDF).
Bedford Building Permit Fees in 2026
The Town’s 2026 fee schedule, updated June 11, 2026, lists the following charges. Amounts shown are official schedule entries, not estimates of every possible project total.
| Service | Published Fee |
|---|---|
| Building permit application | $100 |
| Building permit issuance | $15 per $1,000 of construction cost |
| Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy | $100 |
| Building permit revision | $15 per $1,000 of additional construction cost |
| Shed, 100 sq. ft. or less | $100 listed shed permit fee |
| Residential electrical alteration | $75 |
| Plumbing permit, up to 8 fixtures | $100 |
| Solar permit under 25 kW | $300 roof-mounted; $400 ground-mounted |
| Permit renewal after 18 months | $100 for projects up to $25,000; higher-cost projects follow the schedule’s calculated renewal fee |
For a standard $20,000 construction project, the published $15-per-$1,000 rate produces a $300 building permit charge. The $100 application fee and $100 certificate charge may bring the applicable listed charges to $500, excluding other permits, reviews, or project-specific fees.
Check the exact category: Demolition, generators, fences, plumbing, and other services can have separate fee structures. Online payment processing may also involve an additional transaction charge.
View the official 2026 Town of Bedford fee schedule (PDF).
How to Schedule a Building Inspection
The Building Department coordinates required construction inspections. The owner or builder is responsible for requesting inspections at the appropriate stages.
- Confirm the permit is issued. Keep the permit posted at the job site and have the approved drawings available.
- Identify the inspection stage. Depending on the project, inspections may involve footings, foundations, under-slab work, framing, insulation, plumbing, or final completion.
- Call the Building Department. Contact 914-666-8040 to request an inspection and confirm scheduling instructions.
- Provide project details. Have your permit number, property address, contact information, and requested inspection type ready.
- Complete any corrections. If work does not pass, follow the inspector’s directions and arrange any required reinspection before covering or proceeding with affected work.
The Town does not publish a guaranteed inspection appointment turnaround on its main department page. Confirm availability directly, especially before scheduling contractors for work that depends on an inspection.
Construction Hours
The Town’s July 2026 permit application states permitted construction hours of 8 AM–6 PM, Monday through Sunday, excluding holidays. Check whether other noise, site-specific, or permit conditions further restrict your project.
Check Permit Status or Property Records
City Squared allows registered users to review application status and search parcel history, including open building applications, permits, and certificates.
- Open the Town’s City Squared information page.
- Sign in to the portal.
- Use the property search function and enter the Bedford property address.
- Select the matching property and review the available permit or certificate history.
- Use the provided report or download options where available.
Need older plans or documents not shown online? The Town directs records requests through its Freedom of Information Law process. Visit the official FOIL application page for online or paper request options.
Building Codes and Local Approvals
For permit applications in 2026, New York’s 2025 Uniform Code and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code became effective December 31, 2025. The Town also enforces applicable Bedford zoning and local requirements.
State officials have reported court-ordered suspension of enforcement of certain 2025 code provisions concerning fossil-fuel equipment in new buildings. Applicants should check current state guidance rather than assume every originally adopted provision is enforceable.
Useful references: New York State code adoption guidance and the Town of Bedford Code.
Permit Problems and Common Delays
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Application returned as incomplete | Check missing survey dimensions, plan uploads, signatures, energy forms, and insurance certificates. |
| Property does not meet setbacks | Confirm the zoning district and applicable setbacks before revising plans or asking whether zoning relief is possible. |
| Review taking longer than expected | Check City Squared for requests and contact the department with the application number. |
| Work started without approval | Stop unauthorized work and ask the department about legalization, inspections, and required corrective actions. |
| Permit nearing expiration | Check the issuance date and renewal requirements before relying on an old permit. |
Bedford states that permits generally are processed in received order. Smaller applications may take weeks, while larger projects can take months, depending on completeness, review workload, and other required approvals.
Unpermitted work: The Town’s published legalization charge is $1,000 plus original building permit fees for qualifying unpermitted work. Its fee schedule lists $500 plus permit fees for certain small structures, including previously built sheds. Other corrective costs may apply.
Official Bedford Building Department Resources
- Building Department homepage — contact details, permit requirements, inspections.
- City Squared portal instructions — apply, pay, search properties, track applications.
- Official forms and permit PDFs — electrical, plumbing, demolition, fences, solar, certificates, renewals.
- July 2026 building permit application — filing requirements, sheds, HVAC, EV chargers.
- 2026 municipal fee schedule — permit fees and related charges.
- Parcel history lookup instructions — property permit research.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Bedford Building Department does this guide cover?
This guide covers the Town of Bedford Building Department in Westchester County, New York, located at 425 Cherry Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507. Other Bedford municipalities have separate building departments.
2. What home improvements require a permit in Bedford, NY?
Permits are generally required for additions, structural renovations, sheds, electrical work, plumbing, generators, pools, and demolition. Some nonstructural replacements may be exempt. Confirm your exact project with the Town before starting.
3. Does Bedford require a permit for a small shed?
Yes. Bedford requires a building permit for sheds of every size. Sheds of 100 square feet or less have specific height and setback conditions, while larger sheds face additional setback or plan requirements.
4. Can I submit a Bedford building permit application online?
Yes. Bedford uses City Squared for online building permit applications, payments, application tracking, and parcel history searches. Register through the official Town of Bedford permit portal page.
5. What documents do I need for a Bedford building permit?
Depending on the project, you may need a completed application, property survey, construction plans, setback details, owner authorization, energy documentation, contractor insurance, and licensing information. Structural work and projects over $20,000 have specific stamped-plan requirements.
6. How much does a Bedford building permit cost in 2026?
The Town lists a $100 building permit application fee and a building permit charge of $15 per $1,000 of construction cost. A $100 Certificate of Compliance or Occupancy charge may also apply. Other permit categories have different fees.
7. How do I schedule a building inspection in Bedford?
Call the Town of Bedford Building Department at 914-666-8040. Have the permit number, project address, and inspection stage ready. Work must have an issued permit before required inspections can be scheduled.
8. How can I check an existing Bedford building permit?
Sign in to the Town’s City Squared portal and search for the property or application. The portal provides access to available building applications, permits, and certificates. For records not available online, use the Town’s FOIL request process.
9. Which building code applies to Bedford projects in 2026?
New York’s 2025 Uniform Code and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code became effective December 31, 2025, subject to current legal limitations and applicable local rules. Bedford zoning requirements and additional approvals may also apply.
10. What happens if construction was completed without a permit?
Bedford may require a legalization application, permit fees, inspections, and corrective work. The published general legalization charge is $1,000 plus building permit fees, with a separate $500 charge for certain small structures or previously built sheds.
Information verified: October 2026, using published Town of Bedford and New York State resources. Permit requirements, fees, and processes can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or operated by the Town of Bedford or any government agency.