Village of Sea Cliff Building Permits

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Call or Text 516-399-0139 Get a Free Quote

Sea Cliff is a village in the Town of Oyster Bay, and permits go to the Village. The Village's rule: the Building Department visits the site before it issues a permit.

Village of Sea Cliff Building Department (not us)

Address: 300 Sea Cliff Avenue, P.O. Box 340, Sea Cliff, NY 11579
Phone: 516-671-0080
Permit portal: None. The application is a fillable PDF, filed with the Building Department.
Permit rules: Building Department: when you need a permit
Local code: Code of the Village of Sea Cliff
Forms: Forms & documents

Permits We Handle in Sea Cliff

How Filing Works in Sea Cliff

Site visitThe Building Department visits before any permit is issued.
AffidavitSingle-family owners sign a sworn Single Family Affidavit.
Licensed tradesPlumbers and landscapers hold Village licenses; electricians register.
No changesDesign changes need Building Department approval first.

Selling your house? Close your open permits first.

Open permit close-outs

How We Help in Sea Cliff

Nonconforming lot? We check whether a pro forma permit lets compliant work go ahead without a variance.
Historic village. We prepare for the Architectural Review Board and the Landmarks Commission.
Need a variance? We refer you to a zoning/land-use attorney and keep the permit moving.

Decks, fences, sheds and pools: about 2–4 weeks. Other jobs: about 4–8 weeks on average.* It varies by village and scope.*Typical time is based on an average job in the Village of Sea Cliff, assuming no extra work or construction needs to be done and the building department accepts the permit application.

Rolled blueprints and a permit folder on a pickup tailgate in front of a home renovation

Sea Cliff Permit Questions

What work needs a permit in Sea Cliff?

Structural framing; new wiring, panels and circuits; cutting, soldering or connecting pipes, including PEX; a change of use; and paving, fences, retaining walls over 2 feet, pools and grading. Swapping a light fixture, switch or outlet doesn't, and neither do washers or toilet valves.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff: Building Department (opens in a new tab)

What is the Single Family Affidavit?

Single-family owners swear, under penalty of perjury, that only one family lives in the house. It is addressed to the Superintendent of Buildings.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff: Single Family Affidavit (PDF) (opens in a new tab)

How long is a Sea Cliff permit good for?

Permits expire automatically 12 months after issuance. Up to two 6-month extensions are allowed, or a lapsed permit can be reinstated for good cause.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff Code, Ch. A158 (opens in a new tab)

Do I need a permit for a dumpster?

Yes, for any dumpster on public property, and for any container over 10 cubic yards on private property other than ordinary commercial garbage. It's one permit per dumpster.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff Code, Ch. 59 (opens in a new tab)

When can construction happen?

Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm, and Saturday, 9am–5pm. No work on Sundays or federal holidays. This covers building, repair, renovation, paving and demolition.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff: Building Department (opens in a new tab)

Do I need a permit to rent out my home?

Yes, since January 1, 2024, for units the owner doesn't live in. Owner-occupied one- to three-family homes are exempt. Owners apply to the Building Inspector and must show a valid CO, and brokers can't list or show an unregistered unit. We don't file rental permits; this is for your information.

Source: Village of Sea Cliff Code, Ch. 98 (opens in a new tab)

History of Building Codes