Where do you apply for a deck permit in Town of Hempstead?

You can apply through the Town of Hempstead permit portal or contact the Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Town of Hempstead?

Under New York law (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).): New York State sets no owner-builder rule at all outside New York City. Executive Law 381(2) puts administration and enforcement in the hands of each local government, and 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1) only requires each authority having jurisdiction to make building permits mandatory for work that must conform to the codes, leaving who may apply to local law. The state licenses no general contractors and imposes no owner-builder affidavit, disclosure form or post-permit sale restriction of the kind Florida uses, so whether a homeowner may pull the permit is a question for the specific city, town, village or county. New York City is the genuine outlier. Administrative Code 28-105.1 makes the work itself unlawful without a written permit, and Administrative Code 28-104.1 bars the department from issuing that permit until it approves the required construction documents, which must be prepared by or under the supervision of a registered design professional, meaning a licensed architect or engineer, as required by the code. A homeowner therefore cannot self-prepare and file the plans for permit-requiring work in New York City even though Administrative Code 28-105.5.1 defines the permit applicant as the person who performs the work or retains a subcontractor, and even though the general contractor registration definition in Administrative Code 28-401.3 expressly excludes an individual who constructs a residential structure of no more than three dwelling units for his or her own occupancy. Note that Administrative Code 28-105.4 exempts minor alterations and ordinary repairs from the permit requirement entirely, so the design professional bottleneck applies only to work that needs a permit in the first place. Confirm how Town of Hempstead applies this before you apply.

New York / Town of Hempstead

Deck Permit in Town of Hempstead, New York

Permit required

Yes, a permit is required

Before building, enlarging or rebuilding a residential deck.

Confirmed on official page Verified 15 Aug 2026

Issued byTown of Hempstead Department of Buildings

By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources

Quick answer

The Department of Buildings takes residential decks as building permit applications and publishes a deck instruction sheet requiring a notarized Affidavit of Property Owner, a recent unaltered survey, a plot plan and complete construction drawings suitable for a New York State code review. Second story decks raise the bar: the Department requires drawings signed and sealed by an architect or engineer. Where the deck involves no electrical or plumbing work, a notarized Affidavit of No Plumbing and Electrical is filed with the application. Freestanding decks around a pool are separately caught by the pool setback rules and must sit within the four foot pool setback.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Town of Hempstead permit portal

Hire it out

When a permit is usually needed

Before building, enlarging or rebuilding a residential deck.

What a deck permit costs in Town of Hempstead

Line itemAmountApplies to

deck permitBy formulaCharged as a building permit under Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200 for residential work with an estimated cost up to $1,000, then $200 plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof of estimated cost. A deck built before the permit was issued is charged under 86-11C(2) at $400 plus $36 per additional $1,000. A $100 residential certificate of completion fee is payable when the permit is issued (86-11L).

Fee schedule in forceOfficial scheduleRead 15 Aug 2026. Fees are the jurisdiction’s; we do not mark them up or estimate them.

How Town of Hempstead compares in New York

Jurisdiction	Permit needed?	Threshold
Buffalo	Permit required	Any size
New York City	Permit required	Any size
Rochester	It depends	height of the deck surface above grade
Town of Brookhaven	It depends	deck rising more than eight inches above grade at any point
Town of Hempsteadthis page	Permit required	Any size

How to apply in Town of Hempstead

In Town of Hempstead, a residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs.

What most deck permit applications include:

For Town of Hempstead, a permit application identifying the work, the deck's size (square footage), and whether electrical work such as lights or receptacles is included, submitted for plan review before construction begins (IRC R106).
For Town of Hempstead, a scaled site plan (for example 1/4 inch to 1 foot) showing the new deck's location relative to the house, its overall length and width, and dimensioned distances from the deck to all property lines and other structures so required setbacks can be verified (IRC R106.1.1).
For Town of Hempstead, a deck plan drawn to scale showing overall dimensions and the framing layout: joist size, spacing, span, and species; beam size and span; post size and height; and footing or pier size and depth (IRC R507.4 posts, R507.5 beams, R507.6 joists, R507.3 footings).
For Town of Hempstead, a section or side elevation with connection details showing the ledger attachment to the house band joist with flashing, the fastener or bolt schedule, joist hangers, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the required lateral load connection (IRC R507.9 ledger connection, R507.9.2 lateral connection, R507.2.4 flashing).
Footing sizing derived from tributary area, the soil bearing value, and design loads per IRC Table R507.3.1, with footings shown bearing on undisturbed soil at the frost depth required by the jurisdiction (IRC R507.3).
Details for the guards required where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade, and for the stairs and handrails, showing guard height and opening limits, stair riser and tread dimensions, and handrail location (IRC R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).
For designs that fall outside the prescriptive R507 tables (for example multi-story or stacked decks, or a ledger attached to a cantilever), engineered and stamped structural plans are submitted in place of the prescriptive details (IRC R507.1 and R301).

General submittal guidance from IRC R106.1.1 (construction documents) and IRC R507 (exterior decks), 2021 IRC. Source. Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings sets the exact checklist for Town of Hempstead.

Where to apply in Town of Hempstead:

Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings

One Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: 516-538-8500
Email: TOHBuildingQuestions@hempsteadny.gov

Deck Permit in Town of Hempstead compared with nearby New York localities

Locality	Permit needed?	Threshold	What each New York schedule says	Verified
Town of Hempstead	Permit required	Any size	...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200...	15 Aug 2026
Buffalo	Permit required	Any size	...additions, alterations and repairs to residential structures are charged at $5 per...	15 Aug 2026
New York City	Permit required	Any size	...permit: One-, two- or three-family dwelling) sets a minimum filing fee of $170.00...	15 Aug 2026
Rochester	It depends	height of the deck surface above grade	...published on the city's building permit fees page: "Deck up to 144 sq. ft." $75.00...	15 Aug 2026
Town of Brookhaven	It depends	deck rising more than eight inches above grade at any point	See schedule	15 Aug 2026

Inspections and closing out your permit

In Town of Hempstead, deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.

Footing or pier inspection in Town of Hempstead: after the holes are dug and any forms or reinforcing are set but before concrete is placed, the inspector checks footing depth and diameter, a flat undisturbed bearing surface, and that the holes are free of water (IRC R109.1.1 foundation inspection; R507.3 footings).
Framing inspection in Town of Hempstead: after the deck is framed but before the decking conceals it, the inspector verifies the ledger attachment and its flashing, the fastener and bolt schedule, joist hangers and metal connectors, post-to-beam and post-to-footing connections, and the lateral load connection; call it before decking is installed (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R507.9 ledger and flashing).
Final inspection in Town of Hempstead: after the deck is complete and before it is used, the inspector confirms guard height and opening limits (a 4 inch sphere must not pass, 4 3/8 inch at stairs), stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail height and graspability where there are 4 or more risers, stair landings, and required stair lighting (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R312 guards, R311.7 stairs and handrails).

Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Town of Hempstead permit portal or by phone at 516-538-8500.

Inspection sequence from IRC R109 (inspections: R109.1.1 footing before concrete, R109.1.4 frame, R109.1.6 final), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.

Your Deck Permit checklist for Town of Hempstead

Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before building, enlarging or rebuilding a residential deck.
Budget the fee. Charged as a building permit under Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200 for residential work with an estimated cost up to $1,000, then $200 plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof of estimated cost. A deck built before the permit was issued is charged under 86-11C(2) at $400 plus $36 per additional $1,000. A $100 residential certificate of completion fee is payable when the permit is issued (86-11L). Official fee schedule.
Apply. In Town of Hempstead, a residential deck permit application is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the IRC deck provisions. In practice that means a scaled site plan locating the deck and its setbacks, plus deck plans and structural details covering the footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger, guards, and stairs. Start at the Town of Hempstead permit portal.
Keep the office details handy. Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings. Phone: 516-538-8500. Address: One Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550.
Plan for inspections. In Town of Hempstead, deck work is inspected in sequence as it is built: the footings before concrete is placed, the framing before the decking boards go down, and a final inspection once the deck is complete. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if missed.

Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 15 Aug 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a deck permit in Town of Hempstead?: The Department of Buildings takes residential decks as building permit applications and publishes a deck instruction sheet requiring a notarized Affidavit of Property Owner, a recent unaltered survey, a plot plan and complete construction drawings suitable for a New York State code review. Second story decks raise the bar: the Department requires drawings signed and sealed by an architect or engineer. Where the deck involves no electrical or plumbing work, a notarized Affidavit of No Plumbing and Electrical is filed with the application. Freestanding decks around a pool are separately caught by the pool setback rules and must sit within the four foot pool setback. Always confirm with the Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings before starting.
How much does a deck permit cost in Town of Hempstead?: Charged as a building permit under Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200 for residential work with an estimated cost up to $1,000, then $200 plus $18 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof of estimated cost. A deck built before the permit was issued is charged under 86-11C(2) at $400 plus $36 per additional $1,000. A $100 residential certificate of completion fee is payable when the permit is issued (86-11L). See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a deck permit in Town of Hempstead?: You can apply through the Town of Hempstead permit portal or contact the Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull a deck permit themselves in Town of Hempstead?: Under New York law (Inside New York City: NYC Admin. Code 28-104.1, 28-105.1, 28-105.4, 28-105.5.1, 28-401.3 (definition of "general contractor"). Outside New York City: N.Y. Exec. Law 381(2); 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1).): New York State sets no owner-builder rule at all outside New York City. Executive Law 381(2) puts administration and enforcement in the hands of each local government, and 19 NYCRR 1203.3(a)(1) only requires each authority having jurisdiction to make building permits mandatory for work that must conform to the codes, leaving who may apply to local law. The state licenses no general contractors and imposes no owner-builder affidavit, disclosure form or post-permit sale restriction of the kind Florida uses, so whether a homeowner may pull the permit is a question for the specific city, town, village or county. New York City is the genuine outlier. Administrative Code 28-105.1 makes the work itself unlawful without a written permit, and Administrative Code 28-104.1 bars the department from issuing that permit until it approves the required construction documents, which must be prepared by or under the supervision of a registered design professional, meaning a licensed architect or engineer, as required by the code. A homeowner therefore cannot self-prepare and file the plans for permit-requiring work in New York City even though Administrative Code 28-105.5.1 defines the permit applicant as the person who performs the work or retains a subcontractor, and even though the general contractor registration definition in Administrative Code 28-401.3 expressly excludes an individual who constructs a residential structure of no more than three dwelling units for his or her own occupancy. Note that Administrative Code 28-105.4 exempts minor alterations and ordinary repairs from the permit requirement entirely, so the design professional bottleneck applies only to work that needs a permit in the first place. Confirm how Town of Hempstead applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Town of Hempstead

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

None of the 7 project types verified for Town of Hempstead carry a size or scope threshold. See the Permit needed column for each project's own answer, since there is no threshold to compare here.

Project	Permit needed?	Typical fee
Electrical Permit	Permit required	...is part of a larger job, the building permit fee under 86-11C(1) applies, at $200...
Fence Permit	Permit required	...as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (adopted 3-12-2024, effective 4-2-2024): $200...
HVAC Permit	Permit required	...12-6-2022, effective 12-22-2022) and not changed by the 2024 amendment: $300 for an...
Plumbing Permit	Permit required	...a permit to install any new plumbing or drainage work is a minimum of $70, plus an...
Pool Permit	Permit required	...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200...
Shed Permit	Permit required	...Town Code 86-11C(1) as amended by Local Law No. 20-2024 (effective 4-2-2024): $200...
Solar Permit	Permit required	The flat solar fee is gone

Deck Permit in other New York localities

Everything above, sourced

hempsteadny.gov: Building Departmentread 15 Aug 2026

viewpointcloud.blob.core.windows.net: Deck Wed Jul 09 2025 15:58:22 GMT 0000 (Coordinated...read 15 Aug 2026

Code references

National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Town of Hempstead documents; the office above sets the local rules.

How this deck permit page for Town of Hempstead was verified. 2 official sources: hempsteadny.gov, viewpointcloud.blob.core.windows.net; fee schedule: official document. Last checked 15 Aug 2026 by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 15 Aug 2026Report an error on this page

Compare Deck Permit requirements across New York localities

Deck permit rules nationwide