Building

The Building Department serves the public by providing protection from fire hazards, inadequate building construction and improper maintenance in residential and non-residential buildings by enforcing local and state laws, rules and regulations. Enforcement is performed by the Building Inspector, who performs inspections, issues permits, notices and orders, as well as issues certificates. The Building Department also processes Zoning Board appeals, tree removal applications and the approval of signs in the village. If you have any questions relating to permits and regulations in the Village of New Paltz, please contact the Building Inspector.


Curt Lavalla, Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement E-Mail the Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement


Building Department




Holly Esposito, Municipal Code Assistant
E-Mail the Municipal Code Assistant

Phone Number: (845) 255-3055 Fax Number: (845) 255-5103

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Building Permits

Building permits are issues to fulfill legal mandates, to protect the health and safety of the general public and to ensure compliance with construction drawings, specifications, and adopted building and fire codes.

In the Village of New Paltz, both State and Local Codes require that no person, firm or organization shall commence the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion or change in the nature of the occupancy of any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate building permit from the Building Inspector for each such building or structure.

Examples of work requiring a building permit includes the repair, installation of any mechanical equipment or systems such as plumbing, heating, electrical, fire suppression or detection systems. Also, features such as swimming pools, sheds, signs, or accessory apartments require permits.

No Building permit is required for the performance of ordinary repairs which are not structural in nature. Examples of items which do not need a permit include replacing broken window glass, repairing frozen water pipes, changing electrical fuses andthe replacement of a broken or missing electrical receptacles. When in doubt about the need for a permit, please contact the Building Department.

For more information relating to building permits including fees, stamped plans and specifications, length of time to obtain a building permit, approval from other agencies or departments prior to the issuance of building permits and penalties for noncompliance, please contact the Building Department.

Application for a Village of New Paltz Building Permit

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Site Plan Application

The Site Plan application is used primarily for development plans other than single or two family residences as well as changes to existing commercial properties. Possible changes to footprint of a building, changes affecting drainage, filling and grading, changes of use are also subject to site plan review. For more information please see Section 212-23 of the Village Code.

Application for a Site Plan/Special Use Permit Approval

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Application for Subdivision Plat Review and Approval

Any resident or developer looking to divide a parcel of land into subsections must fill out Application for Subdivision Plat Review and Approval.

Application for Subdivision Plat Review

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Zoning Board of Appeals Application for Variance

If a property owner wishes for a zoning variance from the Village Code, they must present an application for variance to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Zoning Board of Appeals Application for Variance

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Sign Permits

The Building Department regulates the use of signs to protect and enhance the unique visual qualities of New Paltz by aiming to conform to the guidelines and intent of the Comprehensive Master Plan of the Village. We seek to encourage the installation of appropriate signs that harmonize with the buildings, neighborhood and other signs in the area and to eliminate excessive and unsightly competition for visual attention through signs. Ultimately it is our goal to create a more attractive economic and business climate in the Village of New Paltz, to protect property values and to maintain a standard of quality of all signs.

The Village Code provides that no sign or other advertising device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved reconstructed, extended, enlarged or altered within the Village of New Paltz, without first obtaining a sign permit from the Building Department.

For more information relating to sign permits and regulations including signs that are exempt from the permitting process and prohibited signs, please contact the Building Department.

Sign Permit Application

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Change of Business Certificate of Occupancy

A change of business certificate of occupancy permit allows new owners or tenants to continue using a property in the same fashion as the previous owners or tenants had used it after the Building Inspector has completed an inspection of the property.

For more information relating to certificates of occupancy, please contact the Building Department.

Application for Certificate of Occupancy

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Building Permit, Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy Fees

Village of New Paltz Building Permit, Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy Fees.

Please note that the Village Code is updated frequently. Please contact the Building Department for more information relating to Building Department fees.

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Building Complaints

If you are aware of a building, property, or public right of way that is not up to code, please fill out the Building Complaint Form and return it to the Building Inspector.

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Tenants' Rights

For information regarding tenants' rights in New York State click here. For more information on tenants' rights, contact the Building Department or visit the Office of the Attorney General's website.

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Zoning District in the Village of New Paltz

Zoning Districts Map

For more information relating to the Village of New Paltz zoning districts, please contact the Building Department.

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Historic Preservation Commission Application for Certificate of Appropriateness

Except for maintenance activity, all exterior work on a Historic District property or a designated historic landmark - including permanent changes in landscaping and changes in exterior colors - requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The Certificate of Appropriateness shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any building permit that may be required. http://villageofnewpaltz.org/filemgmt/index.php?id=1418

Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness

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Shade Tree Commission Tree Removal Application

To preserve the ecological health and aesthetic value of the Village of New Paltz, any resident, business or organization seeking to cut, top or remove a tree must submit a written request to the Shade Tree Commission prior to taking any action.

Tree Removal Application

Last Updated Monday, April 22 2013 @ 11:24 AM EDT|16,736 Hits