SPECIAL ALERT FOR ULSTER COUNTY ELECTRICIANS - JANUARY 2023

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

This section has 4 frequently asked Building Department questions, and answers to those questions.  The questions have to do with:

1. Short-Term Rentals
2. Building Department Fees
3. Requirements for Filing a Building Permit
4. Readiness for Inspections and Who Is Responsible

Question 1: Does the Town of Saugerties have Short-Term Rental laws and considerations?

Answer 1:

The Town of Saugerties has begun enforcing new short-term rental regulations.  All short-term rental hosts must comply with this registration process.

Short Term Rental Applications for the TOWN OF SAUGERTIES ONLY can be picked up at Town Hall (4 High Street) in the Building Department lobby, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

You can also download them in printable PDF form, from this Building Department page that you are viewing now.  (See bottom of page under "Documents".  All applicable documents begin with the phrase "Short-Term Rentals".)

For information about the Town law regarding Short-Term Rentals, visit the page describing this law. 

Any questions?  Please call the Town Building Department at 845-246-2800 ext.333.

Question 2: What are the Saugerties Town Building Department fees?

Answer 2: For the Building Department Fee Schedule, see the "Documents" heading near the end of this page, below.

Individual fees are noted in the applications as well (for example, the Application for Change in Zoning, the Highway Fee Schedule, the "No Violations and Certificate of Occupancy" Search Request and the Zoning (Rezoning Request) Fee Schedule.  It's noted in several of those documents but is generally applicable -- "Any additional Engineering, Attorney and Consulting fees will be charged back to the applicant in addition to the application fee."

Question 3: What are the requirements for filing a building permit?

Answer 3:

1. You must have a permit to construct waste system from Ulster County Board of Health if installing an on-site private system.
2. Backflow preventers or R.P.Z.'s on public water supply.
3. Well log for new construction.
4. Driveway/approval or permit from Town, County or State if attaching an entrance to a public road or street. May not be required on private roads.
5. Must have signed site plan from Planning Board if applicable.
6. Must have Zoning Board of Appeals approval if applicable.
7. Two (2) copies of survey for new construction of copy of most recent survey.
8. Certificate that concrete meets ASTM C33 specs for aggregates.
9. Must provide two sets of New York State Certified Engineered or Licensed Architect approved plans with original signature for all new construction projects in excess of 144 square feet or renovations to existing structures to be performed with a cost exceeding $ 20,000.00. located within 100 year flood plain. All renovations to be performed must have a narrative or drawn plans of work to be performed (if the renovations alter the structural integrity of the building the Department of Safety & Buildings reserves the right to ask the applicant to provide engineered or architect approved plans for the change). The original signed Engineered or Architect approved set of plans submitted will be retained by the Town of Saugerties Department of Safety & Buildings. The second set will be returned to the applicant after the reviewing process is completed by a Code Enforcement Officer to insure compliance with all applicable sections of the New York State Building Codes and the building permit i s granted. Building Inspectors reserve the right to require stamped plans for any work at their discretion.
10. Completed plot plan to insure compliance with area and bulk regulations showing required set backs and lot coverage per Zoning Districts and site stormwater managements, soil and erosion control measures.
11. RESCheck or COMcheck energy code compliance certification for R-values on all components in all buildings.
12. Proof of signed maps filed with county, fees paid, bonds in escrow, fees in escrow accounts if applicable.
13. Check for the building permit payable to the Town of Saugerties as per fee schedule approved by the Town Board.
14. Check the Required Insurance Info for Builders/Contractors as applicable to your situation.
15. Completed, signed Building Permit application.

Question 4: Who is responsible for notifying the Town of your project's readiness for inspection?

Answer 4: Please take note that while a contractor may arrange for appropriate inspections for work being done it is primarily the responsibility of the property owner to call the Department of Safety and Buildings to notify us of your readiness for any inspection below which may apply to the nature of the work being performed at your site.  We ask that you give us at least 48 hours notice for scheduling any inspections.  Emergency inspections will be conducted as time permits.  We can be contacted at (845) 246-2800 extension 333 or via e-mail to Alvah Weeks at aweeks@saugertiesny.gov.

The following inspections may apply in your circumstances.  If you're in doubt please call our office.

1. Excavation for footing
2. All forms before concrete poured walls or floors (prior to pour - not during)
3. Waterproof foundation and footing drains
4. Framing and rough-in plumbing - pressure tests and waste test required for all plumbing. (No exceptions.)
5. Fireplace Inspection, fire blocking and chimney chase inspections prior to enclosure
6. Solid Fuel burning appliance inspections and chimney chase inspections
7. Rough in and final Electrical inspections by a Town-approved third party electrical inspector.  (See "Documents" below.) 
8. Insulation and ventilation
9. Decks, canopies, carports, garages and pool inspections
10. Smoke detectors
11. Carbon monoxide detectors
12. Final Inspection for Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance

Documents

• Application for Building Permit (General building application for all jobs -- for example, new buildings, building changes, new signs, changes to signs, swimming pools, etc.  For fees for each type of job, see "Building Department Fee Schedule" below.)
   
• Application for Change in Zoning

• Building Department Fee Schedule (effective 5/1/2021) 
   
• Complaint Procedure Form
   
• Electrical Inspectors List - As of March 2025
   
• Energy Code Inspectors List - As of March 2025
   
• No Violations / Certificate of Occupancy and Records Search Request
   
• Plot Plan
   
• Short-Term Rental Application (updated April 2025)
   
• Short-Term Rental Application Process (updated April 2025)
   
• Short-Term Rental Emergency Contact Sheet
   
• Short-Term Rental Owner Agreement - Initials (updated April 2025)
   
• Short-Term Rentals - Fire Inspection Safety Tips (updated April 2025)
   
• Short-Term Rentals - Certified Drinking Water Laboratories
   
• Towing Policy for Property Maintenance
   
• Town of Saugerties Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria
   
• Zoning Districts Map
   
• Zoning Districts Overlay Map