MISSION:
The mission of the Department of
Engineering Services is to promote public safety and welfare through
professional oversight of public works projects and private construction
activity within the Town. The Department is comprised of the following
divisions, each with distinct but inter-related functions:
Engineering – The Engineering Division is
responsible for the technical oversight of all public infrastructure projects
such as roadway and drainage improvements, parks and beach improvements,
municipal parking lots, municipal buildings, traffic control devices, water
supply systems, and sewage disposal systems. The Engineering Division utilizes
both in-house staff as well as outside professional consultants for design,
construction management, and contract administration on all major capital
improvement projects undertaken by the Town.
Building – The Building Division is
charged with the responsibility of administering the building permit process to
ensure that all building construction activity complies with state and local
code requirements. Their functions include the review of building and site
plans, issuance of building permits and Certificates of Occupancy, and
inspection of building construction activity as it progresses.
Fire Prevention – The Fire Prevention Bureau is
responsible for promoting fire safety issues throughout the Town. Their
functions include the issuance of permits for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and
fire suppression systems, as well as conducting routine inspections of
structures and businesses for compliance with Federal, state and local code
requirements. The Bureau also administers an on-going fire safety education
program.
Dix Hills Water District – The Dix Hills Water
District is a public water supply district which is responsible for delivering
high quality drinking water to approximately 8,500 homes and businesses in the
Dix Hills section of the Town. The district is responsible for the operation and
maintenance of 15 water supply wells at 10 sites, as well as over 160 miles of
pipe, and almost 1,300 fire hydrants.
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OPERATING ENVIRONMENT:
Engineering Services
The Engineering Division interacts on a regular basis
with the Highway, General Services, Environmental Waste Management, Parks &
Recreation, Maritime Services, and the Planning Departments. The division
also provides support services to the Town Attorney, Town Clerk, and the Zoning
Board of Appeals staff.
Building Department
Fire Prevention
The Division of Fire Prevention is responsible for
inspections, investigations, and enforcement of the code in the following
districts: Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington, Greenlawn, and Commack. The
Bureau is also responsible for addressing all complaints and referrals forwarded
by the Fire Districts which retain inspection personnel. This Division is
responsible for the issuance of all required fire code permits, addressing
call-in and walk-in complaints from the public and witnessing acceptance tests
of detection and suppression equipment troughout the Township.
Dix Hills Water District
Serving the Towns' residents in Dix Hills, the
District must meet the demands put on its systems by their customers, be it the
fire department or domestic and commercial use. The District is also
responsible for responding to emergencies such as water main breaks, whenever
they occur.
For the 2000 Annual Water Quality Report for the Dix
Hills Water District please check our Permits & Forms link.
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Questions:
Location
Q. What is the Suffolk County Tax Map Number
of my property?
A. Your Tax
Map Number is indicated on the copy of your property tax bill mailed to you
annually. All decimals and zeroes are important when referring to this
number.
Zoning
Q. What is the zoning for my
property?
A. To get a
reliable answer you may check with the Division of Building and Housing or the
Department of Planning & Environment. Zone boundaries and multiple lot
situations require a detailed determination in some cases
Q.
What uses are permitted on my property?
A. Please refer
to the Town
Code online or available at Town Hall. The Zoning Ordinance is Chapter
198. You may have to consult with a design professional when you determine your
Zone.
Q.
What are the building setbacks in my area?
A. There is a
table or chart of zoning requirements for height area and bulk of buildings in
Town Code Section 198-55. A copy of this chart is available at the Building and
Housing Division.
History
Q. Does my
property have all necessary Certificates of Occupancy?
A. The
Building and Housing staff will do a search of the records (called "a site
history") to see if all permits have certificates. Obviously, a site history
cannot address work done without permits.
Q. Is a survey of my property on file, and
can I get a copy?
A. If a
permit was issued after 1960, there may be a MICROFILM copy of a survey.
The records will be researched when the request is made in person in Town Hall
Room 115. Copies made from a microfilm card cost $ 2.00 each.
Q.
Can I get a copy of my CO?
A. If a CO is
part of the microfilm record for the building permit, you may come into Town
Hall, Room 115 and purchase a copy for $1.00. If duplicate CO (with the
raised seal) has to be printed, the cost is $ 30.00.
Q. Is the CO for my
house still in effect?
A. Yes, if no
alterations were made without another building permit.
Q. In which year were building permits
required?
A. Building
permits AND certificates of occupancy were required by the Huntington Town Code
starting in 1934. For buildings built prior to 1934, a Letter in Lieu of a
Certificate of Occupancy may be issued.
Q. Do I have to get a building permit if a previous owner did
the work?
A. Yes, the
Huntington Town Code requires a permit and CO for ALL
construction.
Q. My neighbors are doing work; do they have
all necessary permits?
A. If a building permit was issued, one of the
conditions is that it must be posted. A person receiving a building permit is
also given an 8" x 11" dark pink card to be displayed in plain view.
Q. What is needed to
obtain a building permit?
A. Start with
a call to the Building and Housing Division (631) 351-2822. We have applications
and instructions, and can answer questions based on the specific work
proposed.
Q. Can I convert my basement to a bedroom, playroom or
other living space?
A. The
Building Code of New York State permits habitable space within a basement if
minimum ceiling height, smoke detector and egress requirements are met.
Contact a building plans examiner for additional information at (631)
351-3204.
Q. What occupations or businesses are permitted in a
home?
A. The Town
Code has a detailed definition, search using the term "home occupation"
(quotation marks not necessary).
Q. I am handicapped, what types of home occupations may I
pursue?
A. The same
rules apply.
Q. Do I need a permit for a fishpond?
A.
No.
Q. Do
I need a permit for a tennis court?
A. As of now,
no permit is necessary for a tennis court built on grade. Retaining walls three
feet or more in height and outdoor lighting poles over six feet or a fence over
six feet do require permits. It is best to discuss the details of the plan with
Building and Housing t personnel.
Q. Is
a building permit required for new windows?
A. If
the header is changed or the opening made wider, then a building permit is
required. If the window is made smaller, it may violate the Building Code for
minimum natural light and ventillation and openings for emergency egress.
It is always a good idea to check with the building plans examiner first - (631)
351-3204. Permits are always required to install
skylights.
Roofs
Q. Is a building permit required for a new
roof?
A. Not for
simple reshingling or re-covering, but see the next answer! If new gables or
pitches are included then a permit is required.
Q.
How many layers of shingles can I add to an old roof?
A. The Residential
Building Code of New York State permits a maximum of two layers of roof
shingles.
Fences
Q. Is a building permit required for a
fence?
A. A fence
over 6 feet in height is deemed a structure under the Zoning Ordinance. A
building permit is required for a structure. This would include a fence if the
top horizontal element is more than 6 feet above the grade on either side of the
fence.
Q. What are the requirements for getting a building permit
for a fence?
A. Fences are
considered accessory structures and the standard permit application is
used.
Q. Must I put the finished side of a fence facing my
neighbors?
A. No. For a
regular perimeter fence the exterior facing is a matter of individual choice.
However, a fence around a swimming pool is more strictly regulated, including no
footholds on the outside.
Q.
Where may I put a fence on my property?
A. A fence
may be built around an entire lot. The location of the fence in relation to the
property line is the sole responsibility of the property owner. Also, Section
198-74 of the Town Code details guidelines for limiting visual obstructions on
corner lots for fences and vegetation as well.
Q. Will the Town determine my lot line for a
fence?
A. No. It is
up to the owner. It is good practice to not try to fence the exact lot line, in
the case an error is made the fence might have to be removed.
Q. How and where can a fence go on commercial
property?
A. The same
rules apply. See the Code
for specifications where fences are REQUIRED for junkyards lumberyards and car
lots etc. (Search under "fence")
Q.
How high can a fence be?
A. Six feet
except for lumberyards and junkyards, where the fence is set back at least 15
feet
Q.
How high must a fence for a swimming pool be?
A. At least
48" for all pools, above and in ground.
Pools
Q. Is a building permit required for a
pool?
A. Yes, there is a
specific permit for pools.
Q.
What are the requirements for getting a swimming pool
permit?
A. A
completed application, appropriate fee, the manufacturer's specifications for
installation, and a plot plan for locating the pool.
Q.
What are the requirements for the location of a pool?
A. Pools may
not be in a front yard or long-street side yard on corner lots, and must be at
least five feet from side and rear property lines. If a pool is built in
violation of the setback rules, then only the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant
a variance after a public hearing. For in-ground pools, the distance separation
from your house must be determined by a design professional.
Q.
What is the definition of an above ground pool, (can I partially bury it to
level)?
A. All pools
must be installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions!
Sheds
Q. Is a building permit required for a
shed?
A. Yes, all
sheds of any size require a building permit.
Q.
What are the requirements for getting a building permit for a
shed?
A. Complete
the building permit application, and include four copies of your survey and four
copies of the shed plans (or manufacturer's drawings). A site plan may be
requested as well.
Q.
What are the setbacks for a shed?
A. For a shed
under than 200 square feet (e.g. 10' x 20'), a two-foot side or rear yard
setback is required in all residential zones. If the shed is 200 square feet or
larger, in the R-5, R-7 and R-10 zones the setbacks are still 2 feet. In the
R-15, R-20 R-40 and R-80 zones, a shed 200 square feet or larger must be at
least 10 feet for a side or rear lot line.
Q. Is
a shed a temporary structure if it has no foundation?
A. No,
however, a shed less than 140 square feet does not require a footing or
foundation but a permit is still required.
Q.
Will my shed increase my taxes?
A. Generally,
questions regarding the assessment of property should be addressed to the Office
of the Assessor.
Decks
Q. Is a building permit required for a
deck?
A. Yes, if
the deck is 8 inches or more above grade, or built with post and girder
or ledger board construction of any height.
Q.
What are the requirements for getting a building permit for a
deck?
A. Complete
the building permit application, and include four copies of your survey and four
copies of the deck plans. A site plan may be requested as well.
Q.
When is a railing required for a deck?
A. A railing
is required if any edge of the deck is 30 inches or more above
grade.
Driveways
Q. Does a driveway require a building
permit?
A. No, but
you will need a curb cut or a highway work permit, issued by the Town Highway
Department, whether or not you have a raised curb.
Q.
What are the requirements for placing/ paving a driveway?
A. The Zoning
Ordinance requires a driveway to be made of an all-weather hard surface
material. A 5-foot setback from the side lot line is also required, or ten feet
if a commercial driveway is adjacent to a residential zone.
Permits in process
Q. Can a dumpster go on the property while
the work is being done?
A. Yes, it
must go on the property, not in the street.
Q.
What is the fee for my building permit?
A. The fee
depends on the size of the project, and may be either a flat fee or based on
square footage of the project. Please see the fee schedule
Q.
How long does it take to get a Building Permit?
A. From the
completed application a permit takes on average 40 workdays. The processing
time is longer during the summer months. The biggest single delay in issuing
permits is an incomplete application. The Building and Housing Division issues
an average of 15 permits each business day, over 4,000 a year, so the staff have
plenty of experience and will explain exactly what is needed.
Q.
How long is a building permit good for?
A. A permit
is valid for one year. The Town Code authorizes a permit to be renewed for a
second year, and again for a third, but not beyond that. After three years, if a
certificate of occupancy has not been issued, then the permit is NULL AND VOID.
The renewal fee for each additional year is one-half of the original permit
fee.
Q.
Can I come and pick up my building permit?
A. No, due to
the volume of permits in process, the staff cannot accommodate special requests
and still attend to the other applications.
Q.
How do I set up an appointment with an inspector?
A. An
information sheet comes with your permit containing the required inspections and
the phone number to schedule inspections - (631) 351-2813.
Q.
How can I speak with the inspector?
A. Inspectors
are in their offices usually from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.
They are out doing inspections most of the day, but if you leave a phone
message, they will respond as soon as possible.
Q.
How can I speak with the plans examiner?
A. Just call
the office (631) 351-3204. If they are on the phone or reviewing a project with
another applicant, leave a message with their voice mail. They will call back as
soon as possible.
Q. How can I speak with the electrical
Inspector?
A Please see
the Electrical Inspector list. They are independent professionals not employed
by the Town. Four companies are certified by the Town to perform electrical
inspections.
Certificates of Occupancy
Q. What is needed to obtain a
CO?
A. That
depends on the scope of the project. Typically, you need a building inspection
for each phase of the job, including a final building inspection. For
site improvement, you will need an engineering inspection for drywells, curbing,
retaining walls, and similar structures, and a final engineering
inspection. Plumbing work is similar, with phased inspections and a final
plumbing inspection. Other documentation that could be required include
an electrical certification; a final survey; final approval from the
County Department of Health Services; or final approval from the Planning
Department.
Q. I
had an inspection, when will a CO be issued?
A. When
all requirements are met, a Certificate of Occupancy will be printed within
three business days. It is up to the project manager to see that all phases
of the project are completed and that the proper inspections are requested AND
approved.
Q.
Can I come in and pick up my C of O?
A. No, in
order to deal with the large number of applications as efficiently AND fairly as
possible, CO's are mailed after they are signed and sealed.
Taxes
Q. How much will the proposed work (or
completed work) increase my taxes?
A. The Assessor's Office can provide an estimate of
the tax implications of your project. Contact that office and have the
dimensions of the improvements or new work handy.
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Highlights:
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Goals:
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Additional Information:
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