Building, Planning, and Zoning

Our Charter

The Village Building, Planning, and Zoning Department is in charge of all Village activities as they relate to local and state building and zoning code inspection and enforcement. It coordinates all communication that residents and businesses have with the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. It is staffed by two full time clerks and part time inspection and enforcement officers.

Building, Planning, and Zoning Personnel

If you have business with the Building, Planning, and Zoning Department or staff, please reach out to:

  • Building Inspector - Ken McLaughlin. Ken is in charge of the office and is available by appointment on Thursdays 5-7pm.

  • Fire/Code Inspector - Brian Connolly is available for in-person building or fire inspections.

  • Code Enforcement Officer - Justin Noyes handles zoning violations and enforcement actions.

Hours: 9am -4pm, Monday - Friday (closed holidays)
Tel: 845-876-1922
Fax: 845-876-5453
Rdowden@villageofrhinebeckny.gov

Any payment of fees must be submitted by cash or check to:
Attn: Building, Planning, and Zoning
76 E Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
or
You may leave payment and forms in an envelope in the drop-box by the Village Hall front door.

Are you a Village resident or commercial property owner?

If you own property in the Village, you are required to abide by all zoning and building laws if you are planning construction to your home or property. Further, if you own property in the Historic District Overlay, you are required to comply with our Historic Buildings law. Depending on the type of construction that you are contemplating, you might have to come before the Village Planning Board. (See the Historic District page.)

Applications and approval are required for a number of activities. Once you have reviewed our code and application requirements, please reach out to the Building. Planning Zoning clerk, Ryan Dowden, at 845-876-1922 or Rdowden@villageofrhinebeckny.gov with any questions and to complete your application.

Property owners need to fill out an application for street tree removal and pruning when the tree is in the right of way. The application below should be returned to the Village Clerk. Find our more on the Tree Commission page.

Property owners who designate a professional (such as a contractor) to work directly with us need to fill out an authorization form.

For any zoning issues or concerns, please utilize the form below to notify our Code Enforcement Officer.

 

Do you own and operate a Village business?

If you own and operate a business anywhere in the Village, please make sure you are in compliance with our zoning laws. Please review all relevant requirements in our code below.

If you own a business in our downtown business district, you are required to abide by our sign laws. Please fill out a sign application in order to receive permission to post a sign for your business.

Please refer to Subsection 19 of Chapter 120 of the Village Zoning Code.

Our Zoning Laws

Chapter 120 of our Village Code contains our zoning laws.

VillageZoningMap.jpg

Village Zoning Map

The Village is proud to have a nationally recognized historic district, and the buildings there are protected by our Historic Buildings Protection code, Chapter 64 of our Village laws. If you own a building inside this district and are planning new construction or major exterior additions or modifications, you must come in front of the Planning Board to make sure your plans comply with the requirements of our historic district overlay zoning law (Chapter 120-39) before applying for a building permit. Visit the Village Historic District page for more info.

Announcements featuring Building, Planning, and Zoning