All dogs four (4) months or older must be licensed.In addition to the Dog License Application, you must obtain a form from your Veterinarian that includes the following rabies information:
§Date of vaccination, expiration date, brand name and lot number
§If dog has been spayed or neutered, this information must also be submitted.
§For Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Police Work Dogs, War Dogs, or Service Dogs, provide form for Fee Exemption.
All dogs must be licensed in the locality where you currently live.Licenses are renewed annually.Dog License fees vary.
Fishing License
You must apply in person and have a Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s I.D. Card.Fees vary.
Hunting License
You must apply in person and have the following information:
Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s I.D. Card
Hunting Education Certificate
Bowhunting Education Certificate (if applicable)
If you cannot find your original education certificate(s),
a previous Hunting License which has Education Certification
§Fees vary
Handicapped Parking Permit
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has recently revised the requirements to obtain a Parking Permit.Please note that these regulations also apply to renewals of both permanent and temporary permits.
You must obtain an “Application For License Plates or Parking Permit For Persons With Severe Disabilities” Form MV-664.1.This form can be obtained through the Town Clerk’s Office, or you can download it from this website under “FormCenter”.Our office only issues the Parking Permits.If you are applying for the License Plates, the completed form must be brought to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Part 1 is to be completed by the applicant.Part 2 is to be completed by your physician.
In addition to the application, we need the nine-digit identification code from your Driver’s License, or Non-Driver’s Identification Card.If you do not have either of these, we will need you to sign a Non-Driver Affidavit.
What Are The Requirements For A Marriage License?
- A Marriage License must be obtained at least twenty-four 24) hours before the ceremony. It is then valid for sixty (60) days.
- Both parties must be present and provide the below items as identification. Please note: These are the only forms of identification we will accept. No exceptions!
An Original Birth Certificate or Certified Copy. Certificate must be in English.
Plus (1) of the below items:
Valid Driver’s License
Valid Motor Vehicle Non-Driver’s I.D. Card
Current Passport
- If either person is under the age of eighteen (18), a parental consent form is necessary. Please contact our office for further information.
- If it is not the first marriage, did the previous marriage(s) end in divorce or death?
For all marriages that ended in divorce, you must present the Final Decree (or Judgment) of Divorce(s). These papers must be in English.
If the marriage ended in death, you must know the exact date of death.
- There is a forty-dollar ($40.00) charge, payable in either cash or check.
The Town Clerk’s Office issues Marriage Licenses between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. In addition, we are usually open on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month between the hours of 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Please call 914-993-1500 [option 5] to confirm.)
HOME OCCUPATION-- Any use customarily conducted entirely
within a dwelling and carried on only by the residents thereof, which use is
clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling
purposes, does not change the character thereof, does not have any exterior
evidence of such secondary use, other than a permitted nameplate, and does not
involve merchandising, trade, commercial repair or service, manufacturing or processing
or the exchanging of commodities by sale. Any business enterprise or activity
which shall require a license of the county or state shall be deemed not to be
a home occupation.(§ 285-5 ?
Definitions)
Regulations for
Home Occupation
§285-36C. Home
occupations, where permitted in single-family detached dwellings, shall comply
with the following:
(1)Said home occupations shall be conducted
by members of the family residing on the premises.
(2)Said home occupation shall be incidental
and subordinate to the residential use and shall not occupy more than 50% of
the area of one floor of the principal building. No home occupation shall be
conducted in an accessory building or outside of the principal building.
(3)In no manner shall the appearance of the
building be altered or shall the occupation within the residence be conducted
in a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential
character, either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, size
or the emission of sounds, noises or vibrations. No display of products shall
be visible from the street, and no stock in trade shall be kept on the
premises.
(4)The home occupation shall not increase the
vehicular traffic flow by more than one additional vehicle at a time and shall
not involve the use or outdoor storage of commercial vehicles for delivery of
materials to and from the premises.
(5)No home occupation shall create noise,
dust, vibration, odor, smoke, electrical interference, fire hazard or any other
hazard or nuisance to any greater extent or more frequent extent than that
usually experienced in the district under circumstances wherein no home
occupation were to exist.
(6)Home occupations shall in no event be
deemed to include animal hospitals, kennels, barbershops, beauty parlors,
clinics or hospitals, dancing schools, mortuaries, nursery schools or day-care
centers, clubs, auto repair shops, television and radio repair shops,
restaurants, tourist homes, rooming houses or boardinghouses and uses similar
to those listed above.
Required Parking
§285-38 Home occupation
Two (2), in addition to that which
is required for the residential use (two (2) per dwelling unit)
Can I have a Professional Office in a single or multi-family residence?
A Building Permit is required for the use of a professional office in a single or multi family residence, including a site plan showing required parking and landscaping, a floor plan detailing the layout of professional office and a copy of the professional?s New YorkState license.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE-- An office for a person who practices an occupation in which some department of science or learning is applied to the affairs of others, either advising or guiding them, or otherwise serving their interests or welfare in the practice of an art founded on such knowledge. The word "professional" implies attainments in knowledge, as distinguished from mere skill, and the application of such knowledge to serve others. A professional license issued by the State of New York or validated membership in a national professional organization may be considered sufficient, but not necessary, to establish the status of a professional person. (§ 285-5 ? Definitions)
Required Parking
§285-38 Professional office in a residence three (3) per office or two (2) for each professional maintaining office hours for consultation, whichever is greater, in addition to that required for the residential use (two (2) per dwelling unit)
Required Landscaping
§285-38H(2)Landscape strips with a minimum width of 10 feet shall be provided along all property lines of multifamily and nonresidential uses except as required in § 285-40A(4) of this chapter. Landscape strips with a minimum width of five feet shall be provided between any additional parking spaces required by this chapter for home occupations and professional offices in residence and all property lines of such uses except as required in § 285-40A(4) of this chapter. Such landscape strips shall comply with the following minimum standards as well as all applicable requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter:
(a)Said landscape strips shall include evergreen planting and other landscaping of such type, height, spacing and arrangement as, in the judgment of the Planning Board, will effectively screen the activity of the lot from the neighboring uses.
(b)Unless specifically required elsewhere in this chapter, a wall or fence of location, height, design and materials approved by the Planning Board may be substituted for part or all of the required landscape strips.
(c)Where the existing topography and/or existing landscaping provides adequate screening, the Planning Board may waive or modify the planting and/or landscape requirements of this chapter.
Regulations for Professional Office in a Single-Family
§285-36D.Professional offices in single-family detached residences, where permitted, shall comply with the following:
(1)Said office shall be conducted by a professional residing on the premises. Not more than two nonresident assistants shall be employed by any such professional resident.
(2)Said office shall be incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the building and shall not occupy more than 50% of the area of the ground floor of the principal building. No office shall be conducted in an accessory building.
(3)In no manner shall the appearance of the building be altered or shall the office within the residence be conducted in a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential character, either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, sizes or the emission of sounds, noises or vibrations.
(4)The professional office shall not increase the vehicular traffic flow by more than one additional vehicle at a time and shall not involve the use or outdoor storage of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to and from the premises.
(5)No professional office shall create noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, electrical interference, fire hazard or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater extent or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in the district under circumstances wherein no professional office were to exist.
Regulations for Professional Office in a Multi-Family Residence
§285-36E.Professional offices in multifamily dwellings, where permitted, shall comply with the following:
(1)Professional offices in multifamily dwellings shall be limited to the ground floor. For purposes of this subsection only, the words "ground floor" shall mean the first floor of residential use.
(2)In no manner shall the exterior appearance of the residential unit or the common areas of the building be altered, nor shall the office within the residence be conducted in such a manner that would cause the premises to differ from the residential character of the building or the appearance of other residential units in the building.
(3)No professional office in a multifamily building shall exceed in size the largest unit used for residential purposes.
(4)No professional office shall create noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, electrical interference, fire hazard or any other hazard or nuisance in excess of that usually experienced in the district under circumstances wherein no professional office were to exist.
(5)All professional offices must register with the Building Department and obtain a permit from the Building Inspector. All existing offices as of the date of this Subsection E shall have one calendar year to register and obtain said permit.
(6)Professional offices in multifamily buildings established prior to the effective date of this subsection shall not be held to regulations more restrictive than those in effect at which time said offices were constructed, except that said offices shall be required to comply with the registration provisions with the Building Department per Subsection E(5) above.
How do I handle Asbestos?
Should I be Concerned About Asbestos if I Live in an Older Home?
Yes, any home built before or in the 1980s is likely to contain asbestos
-
Where Can Asbestos be Found in Older Homes?
Many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Some common products that may contain asbestos and have the potential to release fibers include resilient floor tiles, door gaskets, roofing shingles, textured paint, walls, and ceilings. If asbestos is suspected within the home, t
he first step is to call a licensed professional abatement contractor and have the suspicious material tested. If testing is too expensive, treat the material as if it contains asbestos. Do not attempt to remove the asbestos-containing materials by yourself.
Why Should I be Concerned About Asbestos in My Home?
Excessive amounts of exposure to asbestos are known to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma cancer.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the mesothelial cells found in the body. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma cancer, develops in the mesothelial lining of the lungs. Due to an extended latency period, mesothelioma treatment often results in palliative measures rather than curative.
Asbestos Uses and Dangers
The naturally occurring mineral asbestos was widely used in a variety of building components. This unique mineral acts as a superb fire retardant, is resistant to heat and rot, and performs as an excellent insulator. Due to these qualities, producers of construction materials mixed asbestos into paints, glues, cements, fiberboard, insulation, roofing, siding, flooring, and paper in order to enrich such building materials with asbestos’ advantageous characteristics.
Asbestos pipe insulation
Asbestos cement roofing shingles
Thankfully, as long as asbestos fibers remain bound in these materials, it does not present a serious health hazard. However, when asbestos
-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, toxic fibers can be released into the air. These microscopic asbestos fibers are easily inhaled and it is extremely difficult for the body to expel them. In fact, exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of illnesses, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the body’s mesothelial linings of the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Asbestos is also known to cause gastrointestinal cancer and has been linked to colon cancer as well. Typically, these diseases do not exhibit symptoms for 15 to 50 years after initial exposure, making them especially difficult to diagnose.
Where to Spot and How to Avoid Asbestos
Since most structures built before the 1980s contain asbestos, it is important to know the common places to find asbestos in order to spot and avoid exposure. Spotting asbestos products that are not clearly labeled is practically impossible with the human eye, so testing is the only way to know if a product contains asbestos. Make sure not to sample the product yourself, which comes with the risk of releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Rather, hire a professional to take a sample for testing. Some possible sources of asbestos in homes include the following:
Tile and sheet vinyl flooring (adhesives applied in flooring also contained asbestos)
Roofing materials, such as tiles, felt, and adhesives
Textured plaster used in acoustical ceiling treatment (and decoratively along walls and ceilings)
Sheet products: millboard, rollboard, and others
Joint compounds and plaster used to patch holes and seams
Insulation: including wall insulation, pipe covering, electrical tape and wadding, and in stoves and furnaces
Hire a Professional
There are a variety of professionals available for asbestos abatement. Whether you want to remove the asbestos
-containing materials completely, or choose to cover them in some way, a licensed professional offers safety and security, as removing asbestos on your own is exceptionally hazardous. Professionals can perform air quality tests before, during, and after the remediation process. Air monitoring can be particularly reassuring if your family or employees are present during the abatement.
Professional asbestos abatement
For more resources on asbestos, the various forms of asbestos cancer, and other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure, please click on the links below
For further information on asbestosd and to obtain a list of licensed asbestos abatement contractors please visit the New York State Department of State
Do I need a building permit? Building permits are required for all construction projects including but not limited to: additions, alterations/repairs, siding, brick facades, kitchen remodeling (cabinetry), new driveways, driveway enlargements, patios, new decks or repair of existing decks, and walls over four feet in height. It is always recommended to call the Building Department before you begin your project to determine what forms/plans are required. 914-993-1561
Section 285-44 of the Zoning Ordinance states:
No building or structure in any district shall be erected, reconstructed or restored, structurally altered or used without a building permit.
A structure is defined in Section 285-5 of the Zoning Ordinance as: STRUCTURE [Amended 7-8-1987 by L.L. No. 3-1987] A. Anything which is constructed or erected which requires a location on the land or attachment to something having such location, including but not limited to the following: (1) Signs or billboards. (2) Fences over six feet in height in a front or side yard and fences over eight feet in height in a rear yard. (3) Walls other than those less than four feet high. (4) Antenna(s), except functional receive-only antenna(s) having a net exposure less than two square feet in the vertical plane and no dimension in the horizontal or vertical plane that exceeds 96 inches, attached directly to a masonry chimney, penthouse or rooftop mechanical appurtenance on a pole no longer than eight feet in length. For the purpose of this chapter, a functional satellite dish antenna having a maximum diameter no greater than 18 inches that does not exceed the maximum permissible exposure limits in Table VIEN shall not be considered a structure. [Amended 8-13-1996 by L.L. No. 7-1996; 4-29-1997 by L.L. No. 6-1997; 3-24-1999 by L.L. No. 3-1999] (5) Pergolas, porches, patios, decks, outdoor bins, tool sheds, carports, equipment and storage buildings or sheds, swimming pools, swimming pool filter pads, tennis courts, doghouses or sheds. [Amended 8-13-1996 by L.L. No. 7-1996; 4-29-1997 by L.L. No. 6-1997] (6) Tents, lunch wagons, trailers, dining cars or similar structures on wheels or other supports used for business or living purposes.
B. A building permit shall be required prior to the construction or erection of any structure.
C. All buildings are structures. For the purposes of setback requirements, classification of buildings as "principal" or "accessory" shall be controlling. STRUCTURE, MINOR ACCESSORY -- A building no larger than 150 square feet in area and no more than 10 feet in height, and customarily found accessory to dwelling units, including playhouses, tree houses, storage sheds, and greenhouses. [Added 6-11-2003 by L.L. No. 5-2003] STRUCTURE, TEMPORARY -- One erected, constructed or placed upon the premises, to exist there for a brief or temporary duration of time, not exceeding one year. All other structures shall be deemed and considered permanent for the purpose of this chapter.
Do I need a building permit to install a fence?
No. Fences can be installed without a building permit as long as the proposed fence meets the following regulations:
285-40C(5) - Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, the yard requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to prohibit any otherwise lawful fence or wall, provided that in any one-family residence district, no fence or wall shall exceed six feet in height in any front or side yard nor eight feet in height in any rear yard. [Amended 7-8-1987 by L.L. No. 3-1987]
Note: Corner lots Maximum fence height = 30 inches (corner side and front) - except if fence is located 20 feet in from the corner/front property lines.
Further, you must call Planning Department at 993-1505 prior to installation of the fence to assure compliance with Wetlands regulations.
Do I need a permit to abandon/remove an oil storage tank? Yes. All tank abandonment/removals require a tank removal permit. For more information about underground storage tanls, please visit the link to New York State DEC http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/32263.html
Do I need a permit to install a shed? Yes. You will need to first obtain a Wetlands Clearance from the Planning Department and Steep Slopes Clearance from the Engineering Department. Once you have received those approvals, you may proceed with a Building Permit Application. You will need to provide a copy of the schematic of the shed (or hand draw, to scale) and a copy of the survey showing the shed drawn on the survey with distances to the rear and side property lines.
Only one shed is allowed per single-family unit and is restricted to the rear yard.
A shed cannot exceed 150 square feet and cannot be higher than 10 feet. If the shed is 100 square feet or less, it must be located a minimum of 3 feet from the property line, sheds over 100 square feet but less than 150 square feet must be located 5 feet from the rear and side property lines.
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway? Yes, because setback and lot coverage requirements must be checked. In addition, a curb cut permit and a permit to work in the right-of way may be required from the Department of Public Works.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
A building permit is required for the addition or replacement of roof shingles. A detailed list of materials that are to be used is required with the submission. Alterations to roof structure require a building permit with drawings prepared by a New York State licensed design professional.
Do I need to file Wetlands and Steep Slopes Clearance Forms? If your proposed project requires any exterior work, Steep Slopes and Wetlands Clearance Forms must be submitted to the Engineering Department and the Planning Department respectively, and both must be approved prior to submission of your building permit application.
How long does it take to get the plans reviewed by the Building Department? Normally, one to four weeks depending onthe work load.
Please include your name, e-mail or mailing address along with the address of the complaint and the nature of the complaint. An inspector will be assigned your case and the results of the inspection will be posted on the website under the 'Complaints' Section.
How do I make a "NO HEAT/HOT WATER" Complaint If you are renting and apartment or home, you may contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 914-993-1542.
For information on how to clean, manage and prevent mold growth, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Protection's Website at http://www.epa.gov/
The Department of Community Development and Conservation cannot answer whether a property is subdividable or not. That decision is made by the Planning Board. Planning Division staff can provide background information on the property such as if it has ever been before the Planning Board in the past, if it is generally steep or wet, etc. A property owner should hire their own professional to investigate a property for potential subdivision. Planning staff cannot recommend engineers or architects but a property owner may review past Planning Board files for examples of firms that do work in the Town of Greenburgh.
Wetlands
How do wetlands help improve water quality? Pollutants entering natural wetlands are treated by a variety of physical, chemical and biological processes. The following processes filter out pollutants before they reach other waterbodies: -Settling of sediment and other pollutants -Breakdown of pollutants into harmless substances -Plant uptake
What are Wetlands? Wetlands are areas of saturated soil which may flood or pond (especially in winter), and support specific plants and animals.
Why are natural wetlands beneficial? Wetlands provide a variety of ecological, social and aesthetic benefits such as: -Protecting water quality by removing nutrients and chemical contaminants -Controlling flood waters -Serving as essential plant, fish and wildlife habitats -Recharging ground and surface waters -Providing open space and recreational opportunities
Why are wetlands being protected and created? As a means of mitigating wetland losses. It is hoped that these practices can offset the annual loss of natural wetlands due to development activities.
Buffers
What do Buffers Do? Buffers filter surface and subsurface stormwater flows before they enter a wetland, watercourse or body of water, reducing the amount of pollutants entering these systems. Naturally vegetated buffers can significantly reduce the water quality impacts of development. These buffers, around watercourses and wetlands, are one of the most practical and cost effective pollution prevention and ecosystem protection measures.
Why are Buffers necessary? Riparian (streamside) and wetland buffers do the following:
-Naturally vegetated buffers filter out excessive nutrients and other nonpoint source pollutants in runoff, before they reach streams, lakes, wetlands and embankments. -Moderate runoff and stream temperatures -Control the velocity, quantity and quality of stream flows -Enhance wildlife habitat and diversity -Stabilize streambanks and reduce channel erosion -Provide leaf litter as food for animals at the base of the food chain -Reduce nitrogen from shallow groundwater flows to streams -Reduce potential formation of fish migration barriers -Enhance recreational opportunities -Increase property values
Zoning Board of Appeals
Do I need an attorney to present my case to the board? The presence of any attorney is not required. An applicant may present his/her own case if he/she wishes. In many instances, particularly in more complicated cases, applicants have chosen to be represented by a professional, such as an attorney, a planning consultant, an architect, or a contractor, well versed in zoning matters. Sometimes an applicant will choose a relative or friend to represent him/her. This choice is entirely up to the applicant.
How can I best prepare myself for an appearance before the zoning board? The best preparation for a Zoning Board appearance is to attend a hearing before your own hearing is scheduled. By listening to the presentations and the questions asked by the Board, you will get a sense of the workings of the Board.
A Zoning Board Hearing, while quasi-judicial in nature, is still relatively informal. The Board goes out of its way not to be intimidating. After all, the members of the Board are all volunteers, and are your neighbors.
If I am seeking a zoning variance, should I present evidence of support from my neighbors? In all zoning cases, the Board schedules a hearing and notices of the hearing are sent to all neighbors within a 250-foot radius of the property. These neighbors may or may not choose to appear. However, the Board always welcomes the opinions of neighbors who may be affected by zoning variance. Therefore, while not required, support of such neighbors can be helpful to an applicant's case.If a supporting neighbor does not choose to appear, a letter indicating support for an application may be submitted as evidence, but should be submitted not less than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled Hearing.
In cases where a variance is sought for a construction project, what supporting evidence must I submit to describe the project? All applicants are required to submit transparencies for projecting the proposed plans on the wall of the Meeting Room. In addition, oral presentations are helpful to describe plans. In addition, drawings and photographs that show what the property will look like both before and after any planned construction will be helpful. Specific dimensions are required to describe the size of additions, decks, patios or other features. Where the slope of the lot is important to the location of any construction, an adequate description of the degree of slope and its location should be presented. Applicants are encouraged to have professionally prepared plans.
When and where are zoning hearings held? Regularly scheduled Hearings are typically held on the 3rd Thursday of each month, at the Greenburgh Town Hall, with additional special meetings scheduled as required. Meetings start at 8:00 P.M. No Hearing of an individual case can start after 10:30 P.M., unless specifically permitted by the Board, which occurs only in unusual circumstances.
When should I submit supporting evidence? All applicants are encouraged to state their reasons for seeking relief and supportive evidence in writing. As stated in the accompanying Board Rules of Procedure, all written evidences must where possible, be submitted not less than then (10) days before the scheduled Hearing on their applications.
When should I call the Greenburgh Police Department? You should call the Police Department when you have an emergency, a non-emergency concerning a possible violation of local or state law, a suspicious condition, a motor vehicle accident or an animal complaint.
What is a police report? Very simply, a police report is a written record prepared by a police officer documenting what happened, or allegedly happened, during a specific incident.
How can I get a copy of my police report? Two ways: You can come to the Records Unit at Headquarters Monday through Friday from 9am to 5 pm, or you can mail us a request with a self addressed stamped envelope.
If my name is on a police report, do I have a "Record"? No. A police report simply documents an incident which has occurred. It's purpose is not to assign blame. A person acquires a criminal record after having been arrested and convicted of an offense.
Is crime up or down in Greenburgh? Good question. Part I offenses (the seven serious offenses as defined by the FBI) have generally been on a down trend over the past few years in Greenburgh. Part II offenses (all other offenses) have fluctuated, without an obvious a trend. Overall incidents have steadily gone up over the past several years. Click here to see recent Statistics.
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