East Hills Building Permits, Inspections and Village Services
If your property is inside the Incorporated Village of East Hills, New York, the Village Building Department is the local office to start with for building permits, plan review, zoning-related construction questions, inspections and project closeout.
209 Harbor Hill Road
East Hills, NY 11576
Monday–Friday
9:00 AM–12:00 PM, or by appointment
Monday–Friday
9:00 AM–4:00 PM, except Village holidays
What Work May Require an East Hills Building Permit?
East Hills has fairly broad permitting rules. Village Code Chapter 223 generally requires approval before construction, demolition, additions, alterations, repairs or work affecting regulated building systems and structures.
The Village’s own homeowner guidance specifically tells residents to check permit requirements for projects such as:
- New houses and substantial renovations
- Home additions and structural alterations
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations involving regulated work
- Plumbing, gas and oil fixtures
- Air-conditioning and HVAC equipment
- Generators
- Decks, porches, porticos and pergolas
- Pools, spas and hot tubs
- Fences
- Retaining walls
- Sheds
- Driveways, patios and walkways
- Drywells and septic systems
- Solar panels
- Sports courts
- Window, siding, stone or brick replacement where Village requirements apply
- Tree removal, including removal associated with construction
- Demolition
- Temporary storage containers
- Road or street openings
How to Apply for an East Hills Building Permit in 2026
East Hills moved its permit process online. The Village states that after January 1, 2025, new applications must be submitted through its online permit portal. Paper processing continues mainly for amendments or completion of older applications that originally began on paper.
- Define the work clearly. Write a simple description such as “rear addition,” “replace two AC condensers,” “install generator,” or “renovate kitchen and relocate plumbing.”
- Open the official permit page. Go to the Village’s Permits and Requests page.
- Open the permit checklist. The Village publishes separate requirements for common projects. Check your project type before creating the application.
- Prepare required attachments first. Depending on the work, this can include a survey, signed plans, equipment specifications, owner affidavit, contractor license and insurance documents.
- Create or sign in to Cloudpermit. Open Cloudpermit and create an account if you do not already have one.
- Choose the correct application category. For example, Village instructions place AC work under Building Permits – Residential → Miscellaneous Permits → HVAC. Addition work is filed through the appropriate primary-structure alteration category. Do not select a random permit type just to start the application.
- Enter the property and owner information carefully. Have the East Hills property address and section/block/lot information available. Section, block and lot can be found on the Village tax bill or through Nassau County property records.
- Upload readable documents. Check drawings and surveys before submission. A blurry survey or incomplete plan set can create an avoidable correction cycle.
- Submit and monitor the portal. Cloudpermit allows applicants to receive status updates, exchange messages with the Building Department and submit requested changes.
- Pay the assessed fees and wait for issuance. An application being submitted or even reviewed is not permission to begin construction.
- Keep the issued permit and approved documents available at the site. Then request inspections as the project reaches each required stage.
Open the Village’s Cloudpermit tutorials if you want to see the official application, messaging and inspection-request instructions before starting.
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
The exact package depends on the project, but East Hills’ permit checklists repeatedly require several items. Preparing these before opening the portal can save a lot of back-and-forth.
| Item | When it commonly matters |
|---|---|
| Property survey or site plan | Exterior work, additions, pools, equipment locations, structures and work affecting the site |
| Signed/sealed construction drawings | Structural changes, additions, new homes and other work requiring professional design |
| Equipment specifications | AC, generator and similar equipment installations |
| Owner affidavit | Many residential applications |
| Nassau County Consumer Affairs contractor license | Residential contractors performing work in the Village |
| Liability, disability and workers’ compensation documentation | Contractor applications where required |
| Separate plumbing, HVAC, fence, drywell or other permit | When the main project includes those regulated scopes |
| ARB/ZBA approval | When architectural or zoning review is triggered |
Survey rules are more detailed than many homeowners expect
The Village’s current survey instructions say surveys generally must be accurate, legible, to scale, show existing conditions, include structures and their setbacks from property lines, and be prepared by a licensed land surveyor with the required signature and seal.
A survey is generally required for project types affecting the exterior shell or exterior property areas. Additions, pools, sports courts, porticos and certain retaining-wall projects may also need topographic information and tree locations.
For new houses, a foundation survey is required before framing. A final survey is normally required for projects that change the footprint of a structure and for certain variance-related projects before final occupancy or compliance approval.
View the Village’s detailed permit checklist and survey requirements.
East Hills Building Permit Fees in 2026
The fee schedule still linked by the Village for 2026 became effective October 1, 2024. East Hills uses both application fees and, for many projects, separate permit fees. Your total can therefore be higher than the initial filing charge.
| Permit/service | Village-listed fee |
|---|---|
| New house / substantially improved structure application | $300 application fee |
| Other building permit application | $150 application fee |
| Commercial building permit application | $300 application fee |
| Permit amendment application | $150 application fee |
| New house / substantially improved structure permit | 1.5% of estimated construction cost plus applicable deposit |
| Other residential building permit | 1.5% of estimated construction cost, minimum $150 |
| Commercial building permit | 1.5% of estimated construction cost, minimum $250 |
| Solar panels | $750 |
| Generator under 36 kW | $500 |
| Generator 36 kW and above | 1.5% of estimated construction cost, minimum $500 |
| AC permit | $100 per zone |
| Fence | $100 application fee plus $1 per linear foot over 40 feet |
| Plumbing | $100 application fee plus $35 per plumbing fixture and $50 per gas/oil fixture |
| Tree removal | $50 application fee plus $200 per tree; permit fee may be waived for dead trees |
| Whole-house demolition | $1,500 permit fee plus applicable deposit |
| Pool/accessory structure/deck or other demolition | $500 permit fee |
| Work started without required permit | Legalize-and-maintain fee is generally 3× the applicable building permit fee |
Examples from the Village schedule include $2,000 for an Architectural Review Board application for a new house or substantially improved structure, $600 for a major alteration over $30,000 in construction cost, and $300 for certain minor alterations under $30,000.
Residential Zoning Board applications are listed at $750 for projects over $30,000 in construction cost and $300 for projects under $30,000.
Open the official Village fee schedule before paying because fees can be amended by Village resolution.
How to pay
For permits filed through Cloudpermit, payment can be made through the permit portal. The Village also accepts in-person Building Department payments at Village Hall Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. In-person payment is accepted by cash or check, and checks can also be mailed to Village Hall.
For eligible Village payments that were not created through the portal, follow the official East Hills payment instructions.
Do You Need ARB or Zoning Board Approval?
A building permit is not always the only approval involved. Projects that affect building appearance, massing, setbacks, lot coverage or other zoning standards can require review before a permit can be issued.
Architectural Review Board
New homes and substantially improved structures require Architectural Review Board review, and additions or exterior changes can also trigger ARB review depending on the proposal. The Building Department determines the applicable review path from the submitted plans.
Zoning Board of Appeals
If the proposed work does not meet a zoning requirement—such as a setback, coverage or another dimensional rule—a variance or other Zoning Board approval may be necessary.
East Hills Building Inspections
Cloudpermit is now used by East Hills for permits and inspections. The Village says applicants can request or cancel inspections, check inspection status and communicate with the Building Department through the system.
Micro-steps to request an inspection
- Sign in to your Cloudpermit account.
- Open the correct East Hills permit.
- Confirm that the work required for the inspection is complete and accessible.
- Choose the inspection-request option.
- Select the required inspection type.
- Submit the request and monitor the portal for confirmation or messages.
- Keep the permit and approved documents available at the property.
- After the inspection, review the result before covering work or moving to the next regulated stage.
The Village’s older permit guidance also directs applicants to provide at least 48 hours’ notice when arranging inspections by phone. If you have a legacy paper permit, cannot see the correct inspection in Cloudpermit, or are unsure which inspection comes next, call 516-621-5600 rather than guessing.
Depending on the project, inspections can involve foundations, structural framing, plumbing, HVAC, drainage, site work and final completion. The exact inspection list comes from your approved permit and project scope.
Construction Hours and Job-Site Rules
East Hills limits construction and construction-related activity, including certain deliveries, to:
Construction is not permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or Village holidays.
The Village publishes a separate 2026 list of no-construction days on its official permit page. Check that list before scheduling crews around holiday periods.
Other Village construction rules include:
- Do not place dumpsters, debris, soil or building materials in the roadway.
- Construction debris must be properly contained or securely covered.
- Advertising signs are not permitted at construction sites.
- Required construction fencing must be maintained.
- The building permit card must be displayed while the permit is open.
- Required stormwater and erosion-control measures must be installed and maintained.
- Tree protection may be required before construction starts.
- Major construction sites may have additional lighting and rodent-control requirements.
How Long Is an East Hills Permit Valid?
The current Village fee schedule establishes different expiration periods depending on permit type.
| Permit type | Current expiration schedule |
|---|---|
| New house / substantially improved structure | 2 years from issuance |
| Other building permits, including sub-permits | 1 year from issuance |
| Building permit amendment | Expires with the original parent permit |
| Standalone miscellaneous permit | 6 months from issuance |
Do not let an open permit sit until the last few days. Check the expiration date in Cloudpermit and contact the Building Department before expiration if the project will not be ready for final closeout.
Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance: Finish the Permit Properly
A contractor finishing the physical work does not automatically close the Village permit. The project still needs the required inspections, documents and final Village approval.
A practical closeout checklist is:
- Confirm every required building and trade inspection has passed.
- Resolve inspection corrections.
- Submit approved amendments for changes made during construction.
- Provide final survey information when the project requires it.
- Submit outstanding professional certifications or trade documentation.
- Pay any remaining fee.
- Complete the Village’s Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance process applicable to the permit.
- Confirm the permit is actually shown as completed/closed in the Village record.
The Village fee schedule lists a $150 Certificate of Occupancy/Compliance fee for many other residential building permits. New houses and substantially improved structures use construction-cost-based CO fees.
How to Check East Hills Building or Property Records
Checking the existing file is smart before a major renovation or a home purchase. Village Code requires the Building Department to maintain records such as applications, approved plans, permits, certificates and inspection reports, and these records are public records subject to applicable access rules.
If you need an older survey or property document:
- Open the Village’s Information page.
- Choose Document Request – FOIL.
- Enter the East Hills property address.
- Describe the record precisely—for example, “most recent property survey,” “building permit history,” or a specific permit number if known.
- Submit the request and keep the confirmation.
The Village specifically recommends requesting an existing survey early because document requests are processed in the order received and the file may or may not contain the survey you need.
What Building Code Applies in East Hills in 2026?
East Hills Village Code states that the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code is the controlling construction standard, together with applicable Village zoning, local laws, permit conditions and other requirements.
For applications filed in 2026, New York’s 2025 Uniform Code and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code are the statewide code framework. They became fully effective December 31, 2025.
Important local references include:
- Chapter 223 – Building Construction
- Complete East Hills Village Code
- Chapter 271 – Zoning
- Village permit checklists, construction rules and current fee resolutions
New York State also reported in 2026 that enforcement of certain 2025 code provisions concerning fossil-fuel equipment and building systems in new buildings remained suspended by court order. For a project affected by those provisions, verify the latest New York Department of State notice before final design or filing.
A Practical East Hills Homeowner Checklist
If you want the least frustrating route through the permit process, use this order:
- Confirm the property is actually inside the Village of East Hills.
- Write down the exact scope of work.
- Check the Village permit checklist for that project type.
- Get your survey before design work advances too far.
- Ask your architect or engineer whether structural drawings are required.
- Check whether ARB or zoning relief is likely to be needed.
- Collect contractor licensing and insurance before submission.
- Submit through Cloudpermit.
- Respond to plan-review comments as one complete correction package.
- Do not start work until the required permit has actually been issued.
- Schedule each inspection before related work is concealed.
- Track the permit expiration date.
- Finish with the required CO/Compliance documentation and confirm the permit is closed.
Under Village Code, the Code Enforcement Officer is to approve or disapprove a building permit application within 60 days of submission. That is a code review period, not a promise that every project will receive a permit within a fixed number of days. Missing documents, professional revisions, board approvals and zoning issues can affect the real timeline.
Related New York Building Permit Guides
Permit authority in New York depends heavily on the municipality. If you are researching another property, you may also find our Bronxville Building Department guide useful for understanding another village-operated permitting system.
For properties elsewhere in the state where it is unclear whether the county, town, city or village issues permits, see our Cattaraugus County building permit jurisdiction guide for an example of why confirming the correct local authority matters before filing.
East Hills Building Department FAQs
1. What is the East Hills Building Department phone number?
The Village of East Hills main Building Department contact number is 516-621-5600. Village Hall is at 209 Harbor Hill Road, East Hills, NY 11576.
2. What are the East Hills Building Department walk-in hours?
The Village currently lists Building Department walk-in hours as Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to noon, or by appointment. A drop box is available outside Village Hall for certain submissions outside walk-in hours.
3. How do I apply for a building permit in East Hills?
New applications are submitted through the Village’s Cloudpermit portal. Check the official project checklist first, prepare the required attachments, sign in to Cloudpermit, choose the correct application type, upload the documents and monitor the portal for review comments and payment instructions.
4. Does East Hills require permits for AC, fences or tree removal?
Yes. Village guidance specifically identifies AC units, fences and tree removals among work that can require permits. Tree removal requirements can apply even to dead or emergency tree removal, so check with the Building Department before removal.
5. Does an East Hills contractor need a license?
For residential work, the Village’s application guidance requires the contractor’s Nassau County Consumer Affairs license. Plumbers and electricians also need the applicable Village registration/license for the calendar year. Project-specific requirements should be checked before filing.
6. How do I schedule an East Hills building inspection?
Cloudpermit supports inspection requests and cancellations for online permits. Sign in, open the permit and request the required inspection. If the permit is older, paper-based or the correct inspection is not available online, call the Building Department. Older Village guidance recommends at least 48 hours’ notice.
7. What are the construction hours in East Hills?
Construction and construction-related activity are generally permitted from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Construction is not permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or Village holidays. Check the Village’s published 2026 no-construction-day list before scheduling work.
8. How much is an East Hills building permit?
There is no single price. The current Village schedule lists a $150 application fee for many standard building permit applications, with many residential permit fees calculated at 1.5% of estimated construction cost and a $150 minimum. Specialized permits and board reviews use separate fees.
9. How long does an East Hills building permit last?
The current expiration schedule gives new-house and substantially improved structure permits two years from issuance. Other building permits, including sub-permits, generally expire after one year. Standalone miscellaneous permits generally expire after six months.
10. How do I find an old East Hills permit or property survey?
Use the Village’s Document Request/FOIL service and identify the property address and record you need. For a survey, request the most recent survey in the property file. Submit the request early because the Village processes document requests in order and an old file may not contain every document.
Before You Start Work
The most useful first step in East Hills is not simply “get a permit.” It is to identify every approval your project will need before construction begins. A rear addition, for example, can involve the building permit, professional plans, survey information, ARB review, zoning review, tree protection, drainage, plumbing, HVAC and final survey requirements.
Prepare the complete package first, use Cloudpermit for the actual application, keep approved documents at the property, schedule inspections before work is concealed and close the permit properly when construction is finished. That approach is usually much easier than trying to legalize work after it has already started.
Independent guide: USBuilding.org is not the Village of East Hills or a government agency. Use the official Village systems linked above for applications, payments, inspections and final confirmation of current requirements.