Building Department

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

The City of Beacon Building Department reviews permit applications and plans necessary for the issuance of building permits for any work that must conform to the Uniform or Energy Code (for details and questions, please call the Building Inspector at 845-838-5020).

The Building Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Examples of projects that require a building permit include:

New construction
Enlargement
Alteration
Improvement
Relocation or removal of any building or structure or part thereof.
Installation of a solid fuel-burning appliance, chimney or flue.
Installation or modification of an automatic fire extinguishing system, fire alarm or detection system, fire pumps, and related equipment.
Generators or standpipe system Installation of above ground pools and hot tubs.

The Building Inspector performs plumbing inspections and all other inspections that are required during various phases of construction. In addition, the required fire/property maintenance inspections of multiple dwellings, assembly and other commercial occupancies are conducted by Building Department personnel. City inspectors handle school inspections and post public assembly occupancies, as well.

The Building Department reviews qualifications and tests plumbers and electricians for licensing. Applications are available on our Forms and Documents page.

The Building Inspector serves as the Zoning and Flood Plain Administrator, answering all questions posed to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals.

Code Enforcement

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Code Enforcement addresses property violations such as litter, high grass, abandoned vehicles and graffiti.

A copy of the City of Beacon Code is available on our Forms and Documents page.

Short-Term Rentals

Pursuant to § 223-26.5 of the Code of the City of Beacon, it shall be unlawful to use, establish, maintain, operate, occupy, rent or lease any property as a short-term rental without first having obtained a short-term rental permit. A short-term rental is defined as an entire dwelling unit, or a room or group of rooms within a dwelling unit, made available to rent, lease or otherwise assigned for a occupancy of less than 30 consecutive days. The dwelling unit must be used by the owner or tenant as his or her or their primary residence. The term “short-term rental” does not include dormitories, hotel or motel rooms, bed and breakfast inns or lodging houses, as permitted and regulated by the City of Beacon Zoning Ordinance. Any dwelling unit, or room(s) therein, located in a one-family home, two-family home, accessory apartment, or multifamily dwelling may be used as short-term rentals subject to the requirements set forth in §223-36.5 of the Code of the City of Beacon.

Click here for the Beacon Short-Term Rental Permit Application

Click here for a list of permitted Short-Term Rentals in the City of Beacon (as of 5/22/24)

Building Department