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Buildings

Show All Answers

1. Can a tank be abandoned in place or do I have to remove it?

A tank can be abandoned in place, provided that a permit is issued by the Department of Buildings, Fire Department, and work is done by an N.Y.S. Environmental Contractor.

2. Can I still work while the permit is being processed?

No. Not until the permit is approved and posted in public view. Doing work without a permit will result in a violation and penalty fees.

3. Do I need a permit for swimming pool?

Yes. When in doubt, ask! Call the Department of Buildings at 914-665-2484. A professional member of the Department will discuss your plans with you and answer all of your questions.

4. Do I need a plumbing permit for a boiler (oil-fired or gas-fired)?

Yes. Products of combustion need to be disposed of properly. Combustion air is a requirement. Along with proper backflow prevention on the domestic water connection, as per N.Y.S. Plumbing Code.

5. How do I file an anonymous complaint?

All complaints may remain anonymous unless it pertains to your individual dwelling unit. In such case, you will be required to give your name, address and number, along with your apartment/floor number, name of landlord, address and phone number, a detailed description of your complaint and be available at an appointed time to allow the Inspector access.

6. How do I get a permit?

File an application and follow given instructions with each application type. Applications can be found on the Building Department page.

7. How long is the permit good for?

A permit is valid for one year as long as insurances are current (liability, disability, workers compensation).

8. How long will it take to receive a permit?

Permits are issued timely, dependent on the scope of work and completeness of application and construction documents submitted.

9. How many layers of roofing are permitted on a one or two-family dwelling?

Only two layers allowed on any structure before complete removal of all layers, not limited to one or two-family dwellings.

10. How much does a permit cost?

A permit costs $80 for the application fee, plus $6 per $1,000 of the estimated cost. View the fee schedule (PDF) for additional information.

11. How can I avoid unnecessary plan objections?

Provide necessary and accurate documentation certified by licensed professionals and show compliance to all appropriate codes.

12. How do I file for a change of use?

File a building permit for a conversion with professional construction documents.

13. I am having new siding put on my house; do I need a permit?

Yes. You must provide a survey of your property showing your property lines and pictures of adjacent two properties.

14. If I have a current building permit, why should I have to file for an additional permit to erect a wall sign?

The wall sign is reviewed under a different zoning code.

15. I have been working/living in Mount Vernon for years, since when do I need a permit?

Permits are on record of being issued since the late 1880s.

16. I intend on putting up a fence on my property; do I need a permit?

Yes. There are several requirements that the Zoning Ordinance contains that must be adhered to. Some of these requirements are:

1. A maximum of four feet in height in any yard fronting a street shown on the official map of the City of Mount Vernon
2. A maximum of six feet in height in any side or rear yard
3. No encroachment beyond your property lines is permitted

Please contact the Department of Buildings at 914-665-8484 for assistance or further questions.

17. I intend to put a shed on my property, do I need permit?

Yes. The Zoning Ordinance and the Codes of New York State have setback requirements. Sheds more than 60 square feet in size require professionally drawn plans.

18. I need to find out in what Zoning District my property/house is located?

See our zoning map on the website or call the Department of Buildings at 914-665-2484.

19. I need to see if I have a copy of a Certificate of Occupancy or a Survey for my property. Where do I look for this?

Come into the Department of Buildings, fill out a request form for the address and lot of the property which you are looking for and the file (if one exists) will be pulled for you to review and see if these documents exist in the file. You can request a copy of the documents, which you find in our file, with a freedom of information request.

20. Is a plumbing permit needed to clean out sewers and drains?

No. As long as the seals of the traps are not altered or disturbed a plumbing permit is not necessary. Once a seal of the traps is altered or disturbed, this constitutes a plumbing permit!

21. Is a plumbing permit needed to install a gas fired hot water heater?

Yes. The fact that hot and cold domestic (potable) water pipes are being altered. The same for natural gas pipe, and most importantly, the products of combustion are disposed of properly to the chimney! If not done to code this could be dangerous!

22. I want to build a deck. Do I need a permit?

Yes. A deck is a structural system that must be evaluated for compliance with the City of Mount Vernon Zoning Ordinance and the Codes of New York State.

23. I want to install a patio in my yard, do I need a permit?

Yes, but there are certain requirements that the Zoning Ordinance has which could affect where and how big you can build. You should definitely contact the Department of Buildings on 914-665-2484 for more information.

24. I will be replacing the roof on my house, do I need a permit?

Yes.

25. The landlord has not made any repairs in my apartment so am I allowed to withhold rent?

You can call the Department of Building at 914-665-2484 or come in person, Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to file a complaint. An inspector will contact you to make an appointment to validate your complaint. if the complaint is valid a violation can be issued to the owner. The Department does not interfere with any rent issues between landlord and tenant.

26. The Landlord is not providing adequate heat in my apartment. What do I do?

You can call the Department of Building at 914-665-2484 or come in person Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to file a complaint. An inspector will contact you to make an appointment to validate your complaint by taking a temperature reading. If the temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the complaint is valid and a violation can be issued to the owner.

27. What actions would be taken if a landlord/owner/tenant refuses to allow an inspector access to investigate a complaint?

This answer would depend on who made the complaint. Our biggest ally in all issues in this department is the Law Department. Any difficulties can be brought to the attention of the city attorney who represents this department.

28. What codes does the City of Mount Vernon use?

The City of Mount Vernon enforces the Mount Vernon Zoning Ordinance, the Municipal Codes of the City of Mount Vernon and the Codes of New York State. Currently, New York State uses the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and has allowed the property owner to use either the current or the new code. It is worth noting that the codes that are enforced by the Department are minimum standards that have been adopted to protect you and your interests.

29. What is a Certificate of Occupancy and how do I get one?

A Certificate of Occupancy certifies that a building premise may be occupied in accordance with codes for the use specified in the Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.).

How to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy

Come into the Department of Buildings with your block and lot number(s) and review our file to see if a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) and/or floor plans are there. If you do not find a C.O. then you will be required to file an application for one. View the Certificate of Occupancy Application (PDF).

If floorplans exist in your file, then you only need to provide us with a copy of your survey along with the application and we will make an appointment to come and check your home. If floor plans do not exist in your file, then you will be required to provide the Department with plans drawn to architectural standards showing the occupancy of each room/space. If work was done with permits and does not agree with the City’s records, then you will be required to legalized the work done by applying for a building permit.

Fee

The filing fee for a “Certificate of Occupancy” application shall be:

• Residential Use: $150, plus $50 per dwelling unit
• Other Uses: $300.00 per 5,000 square feet of gross floor area of non-residential use

30. What is a survey?

A survey is a plan that shows the legal boundaries of a plot with all its improvements and its amenities.

31. What is a task force inspection?

A task force inspection is a building-wide inspection conducted by the Department of Building’s housing, building, plumbing and electrical inspectors and the Fire Department to assure that all multiple dwellings in the City of Mount Vernon meet state, city and fire code requirements.

32. What is a vacancy inspection? When is it required?

A vacancy inspection is an inspection of a vacant apartment required by the City of Mount Vernon to assure that all rental units meet city and state property maintenance codes and as well as to avoid the rental of illegal units.

33. What is the difference between a deck and a patio?

A deck is elevated above the surrounding grade and is structural in nature.

A patio is fully supported by/in contact with the ground. A patio is placed on the surface of the ground.

34. What is the largest penalty ever assessed a property owner by the courts for code violations in the City of Mount Vernon?

The highest amount assessed so far for a Building Code Violation was in 2003 in the amount of $160,500.

35. Where is the Department of Buildings located, what are the normal business hours and can I come in or talk to someone on the phone?

The Department of Buildings is located at:
City Hall
1 Roosevelt Square
Room 210
Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Our hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Our main number is 914-665-2484. Our staff will gladly direct you to a professional staff person who can further assist you.

36. Whose ultimate responsibility is it to obtain a permit, the owner or the contractor?

The owner is ultimately responsible to obtain a permit. The owner may designate a contractor to file for a permit on his behalf after the owner has signed and the letter is notarized.

37. Why can’t I park as many cars and trucks on my private property as I want?

You can only park vehicles in residential property zones. All vehicles must be registered and in working order.

38. Why does it take so long for a permit?

There is documentation and information that must be submitted with each application before it can be accepted by the building department front desk staff. Once the application has been accepted and the fee paid, the application along with all required documentation is prepared for the Plans Examiner to review in the order in which it is received. The more accurate your submission, the faster the permit may be issued.

39. Why do I have to get a Certificate of Occupancy if my house was built in 1932 when Certificate of Occupancies were not required?

The Department of Buildings does not require you to file for a Certificate of Occupancy unless you have done major work. Also, change of use since the house was built.

40. Why do I need a licensed Electrician or Plumber?

It is the state law. Having your Plumber and/or Electrician file with the Department of Buildings is necessary to ensure that they are licensed to perform work in Westchester County. When they file an application they are required to provide a copy of their license from the Department of Consumer Protection, Licensing Division in White Plains, and proof of insurance.

41. Why do I need a permit, drawings and a survey to fix a wall that came down?

You need these to protect you as a homeowner and to comply with zoning codes and building codes.

42. Why do I need permits from the Department of Buildings?

The Department of Buildings is charged with the responsibility of protecting your health, safety and welfare. The Department issues building permits and inspects the work performed to ensure that it is done correctly and that no injury will result to you the owner/occupant/visitor of the premises. Can you imagine what would happen if someone did work on a house that you later bought and it was not structurally sound? Unfortunately, many people try to do that every day.

If it was not for the banks and the title companies checking the files in the Department of Buildings prior to a closing taking place on home sales/refinancing requiring that you have a certificate of occupancy for all work that has been done to the property then you may end up with a home that has a deck that could fall down, or some other disastrous event, even a fire. The house that you own is the biggest investment of your life and you deserve to have this investment compliant with the Codes of the City of Mount Vernon and New York State.

43. Why do I need plans?

Plans identify structural, aesthetic, fire safety, and code compliances, and are required to maintain legal records.

44. Why do I need to file a building permit to erect a fence?

You need to file for a permit to ensure that a fence is erected on your property and in code compliances.

45. Why does the good side of the fence have to face the neighbors?

This is to comply with the City of Mount Vernon Zoning Code.

46. Why should I have to file for a permit when I am making home improvements to my personal property?

Compliance with code is necessary for all citizens. This is the only method to assure home improvements are done correctly.

47. Why should I insure the City of Mount Vernon when filing for permits?

The City of Mount Vernon must be the additional insurer so that it is not liable for any accidents occurring during the life of the permit.