Brookhaven building department

The Town of Brookhaven Building Division handles permits, licenses, inspections, and code enforcement for residential and commercial construction across the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County. It enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and Chapter 16 of the Brookhaven Town Code. Applications submitted on or after December 31, 2025 fall under the 2025 Uniform Code, according to the NYS Department of State. The office is at Town Hall in Farmingville. It’s open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. through October 30, and 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. starting November 2.

When a building permit is required

Town Code §16-3 requires a building permit for any work that must conform to the Uniform Code or the Energy Code. That includes building, enlarging, altering, removing, relocating, or demolishing a structure. It also includes installing a wood or other solid-fuel heating appliance, chimney, or flue in a dwelling.

The Town’s Building Construction page lists common permitted projects:

• New buildings, additions, and garages
• Sheds, decks, and pools
• Generators and solar panels
• Signs and certain interior renovations

Under §16-3, these don’t need a building permit:

• A one-story detached shed, playhouse, or similar structure for a one- or two-family home or townhouse, up to 144 square feet, if it sits in a conforming location under the zoning chapter (Chapter 85)
• Window awnings on one- or two-family homes, in a conforming location
• Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work
• Listed portable electrical, plumbing, or HVAC equipment
• Repairs that don’t affect the structural system, the means of egress, or the fire protection system

An exemption doesn’t excuse work that violates the codes. See also do I need a permit for a shed.

Applying through Digital Services

The Building Division now runs on Town of Brookhaven Digital Services, an online portal for permits, licenses, plan review, inspections, payments, and public records. Drop-offs are no longer accepted.

• Commercial applications must be filed online.
• Residential applications filed by expeditors or licensed professionals must be filed online.
• Property owners filing their own residential applications can still ask for a paper application at Town Hall. Every plan and document must fit on 8½-by-11-inch paper. Anything larger has to go through the portal.

If you can’t find an application you filed under the old system, use the Town’s online help form.

Documents you may need

• Survey: to scale, signed, stamped, and dated within the past year, showing proposed structures and setbacks
• Construction plans: showing all proposed and existing work
• Existing certificates: all certificates of occupancy, compliance, existing use, and zoning compliance for the property
• Agent authorization affidavit: if someone other than the owner applies
• Plumbing/HVAC worksheet: for any plumbing work
• Gas riser diagram: for gas lines
• Itemized vendor cost estimate: for alterations, basement egress, fireplaces, firepits, gazebos, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and similar work
• Recorded deed: if you’ve owned the property less than one year
• Insurance: workers’ compensation (C-105.2, U-26.3, GSI-105.2, or SI-12) and disability (DB-120.1 or DB-155) proof for all work. A homeowner doing the work files a CE-200 exemption instead.

The code requires plans to carry the seal of a New York-licensed architect or engineer. They must also include a site plan based on an accurate boundary survey.

Other approvals

Depending on the project, you may need approval or comments from:

• Town Planning: new homes and commercial projects
• Town Highway: new homes, commercial work in the Town right-of-way, and curb cuts
• Town Fire Prevention: all commercial construction, residential sprinklers, and residential propane tanks of 100 gallons or more
• Board of Zoning Appeals: projects that need a variance. The Chief Building Inspector reviews deviations of 6 inches or less.
• Suffolk County Health Department: new homes, and projects that add bedrooms beyond County limits
• Suffolk County DPW or NYS DOT: work in county or state rights-of-way
• NYS DEC, Town wetlands review, or the Historic District Advisory Committee: where applicable

Fees, permit life, and inspections

Fees depend on the project’s type, size, and value, and the exact amount is set during review. You may be charged:

• An application fee
• A building permit fee
• Trade or fixture fees
• Reinspection and extension fees
• An optional accelerated-review fee

An application stays active for 24 months after you submit it. Once issued, a building permit is generally good for one year, and extensions may be available. A demolition permit lasts 90 days.

Permitted work must stay exposed until it’s inspected and accepted. The permit holder must tell the Town when work is ready for each inspection. After the final inspection, the Building Division sends a list of what’s still needed for the certificate of occupancy. That can include a lead solder test, a new survey, an electrical inspection, and sign-offs from other agencies. Final approval also requires all fees to be paid.

House rental licenses

You need a House Rental License to rent residential property in the Town. Apply online, pass a property inspection, and renew every year.

Fee	Amount
Application	$100
Single-family rental, 1–5 bedrooms	$400
Multi-unit rental, 4–50 units	$1,400
Optional accelerated review	$715
Reinspection	$50