Zoning/Permits

Code Enforcement Officer: John E. Greer

Office Location: Town Hall, 8102 Dock Street, Montezuma

Office Hours: Tuesdays, 4-6 PM

Office Phone: 315-776-8844, Extension 6

Cell: 315-730-2408

Fax: 315-776-9943

A New Town Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map were adopted by the Town Board on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. The effective date will be published on this website when it has been filed with the New York Department of State. If you have any questions regarding the current zoning laws, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer.

In accordance with the new Zoning Ordinance, a revised Building & Zoning Permit Fees Schedule was adopted by the Town Board effective October 21, 2020.


Any construction, demolition, modifications to an existing structure may require a permit. Please contact the Code Enforcement Officer to discuss your project to determine if a permit is required. Any subdivision, meaning any lot line changes must go through the Planning Board prior to making changes.

Please call to discuss your plans with the Zoning Officer for assistance in planning your improvements or lot modifications and prior to scheduling subdivision reviews with the Planning Board.

New —  Download: UNDERSTANDING SOLAR PV PERMITTING AND INSPECTION IN NEW YORK STATE

Building/Zoning Permits:

  • Building/Zoning Application Permit – Download here.
  • An application must be complete with all supporting documentation before the review process begins.
  • Work covered by Application shall not commence prior to the issuance of a PERMIT.
  • PERMIT shall be valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.
  • Construction under the PERMIT must be substantially complete within twelve (2) months or an extension must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer.
  • A NOTICE OF PERMIT (issued by the Town) must be kept on the premises, publicly visible from the street, throughout the progress of work.
  • The application must be submitted to the Montezuma Town Clerk with the appropriate fee before directed to Code Enforcement (building permits), Planning Board (subdivision applications, site plan review) or Zoning Board of Appeals (area or use variances).
  • It is the responsibility of the owner or authorized agent to notify the Code Enforcement Officer when the project is completed in order to obtain a CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
  • NEW! NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED SOLAR PERMIT – Montezuma residents looking to install solar panels on their homes can reduce their costs through New York State’s new Unified Solar Permit now available through the Town Code Enforcement Officer. Download the application here.

Complaints:

  • A complaint or violation may be filled out and filed with the Town Clerk or mailed to: John Greer, Code Enforcement Officer, Town of Montezuma,  8102 Dock Street, Montezuma, NY 13117.  Download pdf form here.

 Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals shall have appellate jurisdiction with regard to hearing and deciding appeals from and reviewing any order, requirement, decision, interpretation, or determination made by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall decide any question involving the interpretation of such provisions as more fully described in this section. Where a proposed site plan, special use permit, or subdivision contains one or more dimensional features which do not comply with the Town’s Zoning Law, application may be made for an area variance without the necessity of an order, requirement, decision, interpretation, or determination by the Code Enforcement Officer. Further duties of the Zoning Board of Appeals is located in the Town Ordinance linked at the top of this page.

NOTE: There currently is not an active Zoning Board of Appeals. If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact the Town Clerk at 315-776-8844, Ext. 1.

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