The City of Mount Vernon Department of Buildings reviews applications for new construction, repairs, alterations, signs, rooming houses, electrical and plumbing work, and issues certificates of occupancy and compliance; it also administers the Architectural Review Board. It is at City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square N, Mt. Vernon, NY 10550, phone 914-665-2483. Since November 28, 2022 it is open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday 9:00AM to 3:00PM and closed to the public on Wednesdays.
This guide uses the city’s Documents, Forms & Fees page and fee schedule; the city FAQ still shows an older fee and a different phone number, so rely on the fees page and the department number 914-665-2483. The OpenGov permit portal could not be read, so its forms are not covered here.
What requires a building permit in the City of Mount Vernon?
Building and equipment, electrical and plumbing work each take a permit, and swimming pools need a permit. Only two layers of roofing are allowed on any structure before all layers must be removed. An oil tank may be abandoned in place only with permits from the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department, with the work done by a N.Y.S. environmental contractor.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Construction documents must be prepared by a New York State registered architect or professional engineer, and review will not proceed if any required item is missing. They must include a topographic survey sealed by a NYS registered land surveyor, no older than 1 year.
New York builds on one statewide code, the Uniform Code, outside New York City; the 2025 edition and 2025 Energy Code took effect on 31 December 2025 (the all-electric provisions remain suspended by court order). Cities, towns and villages administer it, and local standards stricter than the code need Code Council approval. The Uniform Code in New York
Who handles permitting in the City of Mount Vernon?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Buildings | Permits, certificates of occupancy and compliance, vacant apartment inspections, Architectural Review Board; City Hall, 1 Roosevelt Square N | 914-665-2483 |
| Mt. Vernon City Hall | Main line | 914-665-2300 |
| Westchester Department of Consumer Protection | County home improvement contractor licences | (914) 995-2155 |
Plumbers and electricians working in Mount Vernon need a Westchester County trade license, and home improvement contractors need a county license.
Legalization, appeals and design review in Mount Vernon
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Legalizing work done without a permit
A legalization fee is charged on top of filing and permit fees: $3,500 per dwelling unit created, $2,500 where no design-professional drawings are needed, and $5,000 for other work.
Zoning Board of Appeals
Application fees are $2,500.00 for a use variance, $250.00 for area variances on an existing one- or two-family dwelling, and $1,000.00 for area variances on other existing buildings.
Architectural Review Board
Certificate of Appropriateness applications are $100.00 residential and $200.00 commercial.
City of Mount Vernon permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building and equipment permit | $125 filing fee plus $15 per $1,000 of estimated cost; $10 per $1,000 on existing one- and two-family dwellings |
| Completion fee (fee schedule) | $100.00 |
| Electrical permit | $125 filing fee plus $15 or $10 per $1,000 of cost; $100 per new or additional meter |
| Plumbing permit | $125 filing fee plus $20 per fixture; $15 per fixture on existing one- and two-family dwellings |
| Sewer connection, water connection, new gas line | $250 each |
| Revised construction documents on a pending application | $125 when prepared by a design professional; $90 otherwise |
| Stop Work Order | $500.00 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Filing and permit fees are paid together at filing.
How to get a building permit in the City of Mount Vernon
A NYS registered architect or engineer prepares the construction documents, with a sealed topographic survey no older than 1 year.
The city’s Apply For Permits link goes to its OpenGov permit portal (mountvernonny.viewpointcloud.com).
Both are due at filing.
Work may not start until the permit is approved and posted in public view.
A permit is valid for one year as long as liability, disability and workers compensation insurance stay current.
Every permit carries an expiration date set by the City of Mount Vernon, which may void a permit if work does not start in time; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in New York
Rather not deal with the City of Mount Vernon building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in the City of Mount Vernon
Re-inspections cost $100 for the first and $150 for each later re-inspection of the same type; a failed certificate of occupancy re-inspection for residential use is $100 plus $30 per dwelling unit. The city also offers a Third Party Building Inspection Services Application for permitted work.
Official City of Mount Vernon permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- City of Mount Vernon Department of Buildings
- Mount Vernon Documents, Forms & Fees
- Mount Vernon fee schedule
- Mount Vernon construction document requirements
- Westchester plumber and electrician licensing
- Westchester home improvement contractor licensing
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Is the Mount Vernon Department of Buildings open on Wednesdays?
No. It is closed to the public on Wednesdays and open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday 9:00AM to 3:00PM.
Can I start work while my Mount Vernon permit is processed?
No. Not until the permit is approved and posted in public view.
What does legalizing an illegal apartment cost in Mount Vernon?
$3,500 per dwelling unit created, on top of the filing and permit fees.
Simplify City of Mount Vernon permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Confirm which office permits the parcel and the zoning, highway or health approvals that go with the permit
- Prepare the application, surveys, insurance forms and plans and file them the way the office accepts them
- Schedule the required inspections and follow the permit through to the certificate of occupancy
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in New York. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More New York permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about City of Mount Vernon permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.