Frequently Asked Questions

An illegal structure may include a home that has had alterations or additions built without securing a Building Permit first. Or in the case of a separate structure, like a garage, that has been built without a Building Permit.

When residential construction projects are built to code, inspected and legally recognized by the Town, you can live in your home with peace of mind that it has met safety standards. In addition, by working with the Town to achieve code compliance, you will receive a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), which homeowner's insurance and mortgage companies usually require, if selling, buying or refinancing a home. Finally, structures that are built without a Building Permit are subject to fines. If structures are not built to code, in some cases, repairs must be made in order to sell the house. Please see the instructions to legally Maintain a Structure and Maintain a Dwelling.

You can legalize an illegal structure by applying for a Building Permit and follow the permit application process:

• Complete a Building Permit Application with the property owner's signature notarized
• Submit three full sized, signed, sealed, original surveys - surveys must show all current improvements to the property
• Submit two sets of floor plans drawn to 1/4 inch = 1 foot scale
• Submit photographs of different views of the structure (including front, side and rear)
• Submit a plumbing permit application, if required
• Submit a Fire Underwriters Certificate, if required, for electrical work that was done

The fees for legalizing a structure include:

• Application fee: $25.00, which is non-refundable
• Building Permit fee - this fee is dependent upon the cost of the construction and as calculated by the Town Plans Examiner or a Building Inspector. You will be notified of this fee when you come in to pick up the permit. The $25.00 application fee is applied to the cost of the permit.
• Certificate of Occupancy fee - $20.00. This fee will be added to the building permit fee. If more than one Certificate of Occupancy is required, an additional $20.00 fee will be required for each.