Note: Francis (Butch) Hoffman is Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Wetlands & Watercourse enforcement, Fire Inspector.
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Contact: Francis (Butch) Hoffman
Phone: (845) 679-2113, ext. 13
Fax: (845) 679-8743
Email: building@woodstockny.gov
Woodstock Building Department
45 Comeau Drive
Woodstock, NY 12498
You are the homeowner or business owner. You have invested time, energy, and a substantial sum of money into your investment. You will be relying on the structural safety of the building that surrounds you each day, at home and at work. Research your investment before, and not after, your purchase.
Find out if there are outstanding code violations or zoning violations on the property. Many times this research is requested by title companies before a purchase closing, but often, receiving notice of an existing violation at this late stage of the process can delay the closing altogether.
"Buyer beware" is an old, but true, saying. Has all the work that has been done on the premises been permitted and approved by the local officials? Are there records (permits and/or certificates of occupancy) to substantiate this? We can trace permit records back to January 1966, when permits were first required under a newly adopted zoning law.
Has the property been legally subdivided? The Town adopted subdivision regulations in 1960 and property transfers from that date forward are examined for compliance. Have zoning variances been obtained if necessary? Not all properties are subject to these requirements, but this is the information you will be provided with before your purchase.
Problems can be avoided if you do your homework first. Engineers, architects, and other professional personnel may be needed if work was done illegally or in violation of codes. Your investment could be in serious jeopardy if the building or property is not in compliance.
When a permit is issued, the holder of the permit is then given legal permission to start construction or do modifications to a building.
Construction industry practices have evolved into standards that are minimum requirements designed to protect the public’s health and safety. The Code Official's job is to enforce the laws of the Town for the benefit of the public consumer, YOU!
No code can eliminate all risks. Reducing risks to acceptable levels, however, helps prevent most potential hazards to the building's occupants and users. "Safe buildings for a safe tomorrow" is the goal of all building codes. The development of use regulations, and the acceptance of innovative products and systems, is by-products of the technological advances of our times.
Most individuals overlook the need for a permit until some catastrophic event occurs. We try to assure compliance with local zoning ordinances, the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, the County Board of Health and even New York City watershed requirements. From zoning issues to code review, from field inspections to structural conformity, from a hole in the ground to completion, the Inspector is looking out for your best interests!
All construction codes serve the same purpose: to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by requiring safe construction.
When do you need a permit? Permits are typically required for the following, but check with the Building Department if you have any questions before construction begins:
The following process is generally the same for all permits:
Do you realize that before an occupancy certificate can be issued for your building or house, a minimum of four to six inspections have been made by each of the inspectors?
We do this to verify conformance with the minimum requirements of building, electrical, fire prevention, mechanical, plumbing, and sanitary codes.
The changing aspects of our codes require Code Officials to maintain current knowledge and certification through continuing education programs and by attending training sessions. Building Officials must obtain and maintain such certification in their role as community advocates.
Use the valuable resources available to you.
Zoning regulations pertaining to Signs
Zoning regulations pertaining to B&Bs Home
Zoning regulations pertaining to B&B's Establishment
ZONING§ 260-14 Schedule of Use Regulations.
ecode360.com/109169?highlight=use%20regulations,used,uses,use#109169
TABLE for Schedule of Use Regulations [Amended 6-17-2014 by L.L.No.12014]
ecode360.com/attachment/WO2784/WO2784-260a%20Use%20Reg%20Table.pdf
AREA AND BULK REGULATION TABLE
ecode360.com/attachment/WO2784/WO2784-260b%20Area%20and%20Bulk%20Reg%20Table.pdf
Article IV: AREA AND BULK REGULATIONS
ecode360.com/109175?highlight=setbacks,setback,zoning%23109232#109175
For lots of record which are smaller in area than the minimum lot area specified in the area and bulk regulation table, the following minimum setbacks shall apply: ZONING § 260-26 Modification of required yards.
ecode360.com/109232?highlight=setbacks,setback,zoning#109232
Follow this link, ecode360.com/WO2784, to be redirected to Town of Woodstock's Town Codes, and enter your search term in the bar at the top of the page.
Note: A link to all Town Code can be found on this website in the Laws section on the page eCode for Passed Laws, or follow this link, ecode360.com/WO2784, to be redirected to Town of Woodstock's Town Codes, and enter your search term in the bar at the top of the page.
Work may not be started before a Building Permit is issued. Site inspection maybe required for some projects prior to issuance of Building Permit. This application must be accompanied by two copies of a site plan and two complete sets of plans, specifications, and all information required by the Zoning Ordinance, Municipal Code of the Town of Woodstock, NY and the Codes of NYS where applicable. The owner or owner's agent is responsible for scheduling ALL inspections including final inspection to secure Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance.
For more information, please see Town Code: Chapter 32: BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PREVENTION § 32-7 Application for building permit. ecode360.com/107254#107254
You can print a help guide: wcb.ny.gov/content/ebiz/wc_db_exemptions/How-to-Obtain-Certificate-of-Exemption.pdf to assist with the process or contact New Yorj Business Contact Center at (518) 485-5000 ext. 4 if you need additional assistance.
For Current Specifications & Requirements go to Woodstock Town Code: CHAPTER 260:
ZONING §260-57 Driveway standards, one& two-family dwellings. ecode360.com/109586#109586
SUBDIVISION OF LAND § 202-30 Driveway standards: ecode360.com/108219#108219
For Current Specifications & Requirements please go to Woodstock Town Code ZONING § 260-31 Sign regulations ecode360.com/109340?highlight=signs%20sign,signs,sign#109340
THIS FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED BY PV SYSTEM INSTALLERS: The Town of Woodstock adopted the New York State standardized permit for the installation of small scale (25 kW or less) solar installations for use by all NYS municipalities with the intent to streamline the permitting of small-scale photovoltaic systems. This process does not preempt zoning; and still requires building permits and fees, and proper inspections. Please attatch this form to the standard building permit application and submit them together with the applicable insurance certificates and fees.
For uses established in the New York State Fire Code that require an annual operating and safety inspection permit at a fee approved by the Town Board of the Town of Woodstock please see Town Code§ 32-8 ecode360.com/115888#115888
A local law amending Chapter 260 Zoning Law of the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County, New York to permit and regulate Bed and Breakfasts and Short-Term Rentals. This law § 260-56 Bed-and-breakfasts and Short Term Rentals (STR), can be found at ecode360.com/109585#109585.
Bed-and-breakfast establishments, STR establishments, bed-and-breakfast homes, STR homes, and STR non-owner occupied establishments are defined in § 260-123 ecode360.com/110304#110304 of Zoning Law Chapter 260, and require property owner application for an annual operating permit from the Building Department. Please refer to the Short Term Rental Local Law document above, for the complete law and details.