Building permits in the City of Yonkers are issued by the Department of Housing and Buildings (DHB), with applications filed through the City Squared online system. DHB enforces the New York State Uniform Code, the Yonkers Fire and Building Code, and the Yonkers Zoning Code, and issues certificates of occupancy.
This Yonkers building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how fees work, the City Squared process, the local licensing rules, trade permits, and inspections — so your Yonkers project starts clean.
This guide covers the City of Yonkers (Westchester County). Before pulling a permit to renovate an existing 1-to-3-family dwelling, the city requires a Home Improvement Contractor's License from its Consumer Protection Bureau — which also issues an Expeditor's License for those performing permit-expediting services. A permit may be refused if the owner is delinquent on Yonkers or Westchester County taxes.
What requires a building permit in Yonkers?
Under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the Yonkers Building and Zoning Laws, a permit is required before you construct, enlarge, alter, improve, remove, or demolish a building (or install a solid-fuel heating apparatus, chimney, or flue). Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and tenant build-outs
- Structural / load-bearing alterations and demolition
- Reroofing, siding, window and door replacement
- Electrical service changes and most wiring alterations
- Mechanical / HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, sheds, and accessory structures
- Generators (electrical and plumbing filed together) and signs
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- Most residential fences (subject to height/zoning limits)
- Like-for-like minor repairs not altering structure or systems
- Routine maintenance not extending or rerouting systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Legalizing work done without a permit carries a penalty of two times the total permit fee for each required permit, on top of the regular fee. Apply through City Squared first.
Who handles permitting in Yonkers?
Permitting, plan review, inspections, and certificates of occupancy run through DHB. Plumbing and electrical work is performed by Westchester County-licensed tradespeople (the city maintains the county list), and renovations to 1-3 family dwellings require a city Home Improvement Contractor's License.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | 87 Nepperhan Avenue, 4th Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701 |
| Phone | 914-377-6500 (Plumbing Division 914-377-6566) |
| Online portal | City Squared — online building permit filing (one account) |
| Licensing | Home Improvement Contractor & Expeditor licenses via Consumer Protection Bureau |
| Trades | Westchester County-licensed plumbers and electricians |
| Enforced code | New York State Uniform Code + Yonkers codes |
File through City Squared. All building permit applications are submitted online; create one City Squared account and reuse the same credentials (multiple accounts can delay processing). Applications require a letter of transmittal, plans, and the CE-200 workers' comp form; a permit may be refused if the owner is delinquent on Yonkers or Westchester County taxes.
Yonkers building permit cost
Yonkers building permit fees are set by the city code (Chapter 56) and based on the type and value of the work, with separate fees for new buildings, additions, alterations, and demolition, plus trade permits.
Legalizing unpermitted work costs two times the total permit fee per required permit, plus the regular fee. Confirm current amounts with DHB before budgeting.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Based on type and value of the work (Chapter 56) |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Charged separately per trade |
| Unpermitted-work penalty | 2x the total permit fee for each required permit |
| Home Improvement License | Required to renovate 1-3 family dwellings |
| Delinquent-tax hold | Permit may be refused for unpaid city/county taxes |
| Work-without-permit | Penalties and possible stop-work orders |
Want a precise number for a specific Yonkers project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Yonkers trade permits
Electrical and plumbing work is performed by Westchester County-licensed tradespeople; trade permits are filed for the project (generator work files electrical and plumbing together).
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, and most wiring alterations, performed by a Westchester County-licensed electrician.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, and gas piping, performed by a Westchester County-licensed plumber (Yonkers maintains the county list).
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration. Specialized systems and signage/electrical inspections are handled by the relevant DHB division.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, decks, sheds, and signs are permitted separately. Renovating a 1-3 family dwelling requires a Home Improvement Contractor's License, and permit-expediting services in Yonkers require an Expeditor's License — both issued by the Consumer Protection Bureau.
Verify licensing — it's local in New York. New York has no statewide general-contractor license; contractor licensing and registration are set locally and vary by city and county. Plans that require it must bear the seal and signature of a New York State licensed architect or engineer, and most permit applications require a New York State workers' compensation form (CE-200 or proof of coverage). Confirm the specific licenses your trade and jurisdiction require before you start; the property owner is responsible for ensuring a permit is obtained.
How to get a building permit in Yonkers
Confirm scope, zoning & licensing
Verify the work needs a permit, check Yonkers zoning/setbacks, and obtain a Home Improvement Contractor's License for 1-3 family renovations.
Clear any tax holds
Confirm the owner is current on Yonkers and Westchester County taxes — delinquency can block permit issuance.
Prepare your documents
Assemble the letter of transmittal, plans (NYS architect/engineer seal where required), and the CE-200 workers' comp form.
File in City Squared
Submit the application and plans online through City Squared using a single account.
Plan review & corrections
DHB plan examiners review for code and zoning compliance; resolve comments and resubmit.
Pay fees, pull the permit & build
Pay the calculated fees, post the permit in a street-facing window, then schedule inspections through close-out and the Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Yonkers
Schedule inspections through DHB; the permit must be displayed in a window visible from the street. Typical checkpoints include rough-in, framing, and final. Keep approved plans on site throughout construction.
A re-inspection fee applies to failed inspections and must be cleared before a final inspection or Certificate of Occupancy can be requested.
Official Yonkers permitting resources
- 🏛️ Yonkers Housing & Buildings
- 💻 City Squared online filing
- 📋 Forms & permits
- 📖 Yonkers Building Code (Chapter 56)
- 📘 NYS Uniform Code (Dept of State)
- 🪪 NYS CE-200 (workers' comp)
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Yonkers' City Squared filing, local licensing rules, and delinquent-tax holds reward applicants who line up licensing and clean paperwork first. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Yonkers — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Department of Housing & Buildings process, so your Yonkers submissions move faster.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
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More New York permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings before filing. This is not legal advice.