Consumer Protection - Unlicensed Contractors

Before hiring a contractor, make sure they are NOT on Westchester County's list of RENEGADE RENOVATORS. 

Westchester County has provided tips and resources for choosing a Home Improvement Contractor. 

Hiring a Contractor/Design Professional

The Village is precluded from recommending contractors or design professionals, however, we urge residents to perform their due diligence in making a selection.  Below are some helpful links in making those decisions:

American Institute of Architects  
Better Business Bureau
Westchester County Home Improvement License Search
Westchester County Master Electrician & Master Plumber Search
EPA Certified Lead Certified Renovation Firms

Step 1: Complete the Code Compliance Worksheet
The results of this worksheet will determine if your project requires site plan approval or variance based on existing vs. proposed metrics (gross floor area, lot coverage, yard setbacks, excavations/soil disturbances, or significant land development activity). The worksheet is available here. Based on the results of the worksheet, your project may need to be reviewed through the land use process (continued through Step 2). 

Step 2: Planning Consultant
After completion of the Code Compliance Worksheet (Step 1), if Planning Board approval is needed, a Planning Consultant application will need to be filled out and a Planning Consultant meeting will be scheduled through the Building Department. The Planning Consultant will review the details of your project, suggest guidance to help streamline your project review, and provide the next steps you need to get your project approved. The Planning Consultant may also recommend major revisions if there are any project components that could present roadblocks during the review process. To apply for a meeting with the Planning Consultant, you must fill out the Planning Consultant Meeting Application, provide the Code Compliance Worksheet previously filled out, and provide payment of $250 for the Planning Consultant Fee. Completed application and materials should be sent to planning@larchmontny.gov.

Step 3: Land Use Board Applications
After receiving guidance from the Planning Consultant, you can now proceed with an application to the land use boards, which includes either the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Planning Board, the Architectural Review Board, or a combination of the three. If have a large project that may impact traffic flows (i.e. vehicles entering/exiting from your parking lot), you may also be referred to the Traffic Commission. 

***Applicants are responsible for the submission of complete application materials. Applications that do not have all required documents will be adjourned to a future meeting.***

The full 2024 Land Use Board Meeting Dates calendar, and *associated submission deadlines*, are available here. 

Step 4: Construction Permits
After receiving all land use approvals, you can now submit all necessary construction permit applications. Your Building Permit application and any ancillary permit applications MUST BE CONSISTENT with the design drawings and plans as approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, and/or Architectural Review Board. 

***CONSTRUCTION CANNOT BEGIN UNTIL A PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED***

After submitting all required documentation and paying all required fees, the Building Department will review your application(s). They will reach out to you if there are any issues with the application(s). Applications typically take approximately 3-4 weeks to review, but smaller applications may have a quicker turnaround. Applications are reviewed in the order they are submitted. Once the review has been completed, the Building Department will issue its permit(s), and the applicant will be contacted to pick them up. Only then can construction begin. 

Step 5: Inspections and Final Certificates
A Certificate of Completion (CC) or Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required in order to legalize the completed construction project. Failure to obtain these puts people at risk of harm or injury due to unchecked life safety hazards. 

The Building Department must perform inspections before issuing a CC or CO. At certain points during construction, you must contact the Building Department to schedule an inspection prior to moving to another phase of the project. A final inspection will also take place after completion of a Builder's Affidavit, along with payment of the Certificate of Completion (or Occupancy) fee, prior to the issuance of a CC or CO. 

1. Go to the Westchester County GIS Tax Parcel Viewer for Larchmont. 
2. Click “Accept” on the disclaimer that appears.
3. Enter the Legal Address or SBL of the project site into the search box that appears on the left side of the screen.
4. Click search and the map service will automatically navigate to the subject property.
5. In the small window that pops up indicating the property’s address type XXX into the text box labeled “Enter Buffer Distance.”
6. Click “Create Labels.”
7. Still working in the same window, click “Print Labels (PDF)” to print the required list of properties
8. To print the site location map, click on the “Print” icon in the upper right hand corner of your screen
9. A separate window will pop up containing two maps of the site (one aerial and one with building footprints).
10. Print this page and submit as the required site location map. 

1. Read the application forms and instructions carefully. 
2. Submit all materials on-time. All Planning, Zoning, and Architectural Review Board applications must be complete and submitted by 2:00 PM on the submission deadline date (see Meeting Schedules and Deadlines below). Incomplete and/or late applications will NOT be placed on an agenda...NO EXCEPTIONS! 
3. Make sure that your paper AND electronic applications are consistent and complete. Failure to include any items in your electronic submission will result in an adjournment of your application. 
4. When submitting a document electronically, include the address in the file name (i.e. "120 Larchmont Ave Site Plan.pdf"). 

• The Planning Board typically meets the third Tuesday of each month, except August. 
• The Zoning Board of Appeals typically meets the first Wednesday of each month, except August. 
• The Architectural Review Board typically meets the last Wednesday of each month, except August. 

• The Zoning Board of Appeals if a zoning question is involved pertaining to setbacks, lot coverage, use, etc.
• The Planning Board if a problem is involved concerning wetlands, subdivisions, lots at a distance from a street, non-residential use in a residential zone, pools, etc.
• The Architectural Review Board (ARB) if the appearance of the building is changed by alterations and/or additions.

• Erect, enlarge, remove, improve, or convert buildings or structures, such as an attached/detached garages, carports, breezeways, storage sheds, and porches
• Convert the use of a building or part of a building
• Install, relocate or remove interior partitions or walls
• Install new windows or doors
• Install exterior impervious surfaces such as driveways, patios, sidewalks, retaining walls
• Install a fence, tennis court, satellite antenna, HVAC condenser, generator, or swimming pool (whether in ground or above ground)
• Repair fire damage
• Alter or replace a roof (whether its replacing shingles or the entire structural roof)
• Demolish any building, including a garage
• Install a masonry chimney, metal smokestack or wood stove

• Work underway without an appropriate permit will be triple the cost of the usual corresponding permit fee.
• Legalization of an existing structure that did not have the proper permit when constructed will have a fee of $500 plus $45 per thousand-dollars of construction cost. 
• In addition to the above, any person who violates any provision of the Fire Prevention and Building Construction Code of the Village of Larchmont will be subject to a fine of up to $250 per day the violation continues and/or imprisonment for up to 15 days. 

• Be Safe. 
• Secure a Building Permit. 
• Call for Inspections. 
• Secure a Certificate of Occupancy. 

Contractors at their sole cost and expense, must submit evidence of the following insurance: All insurance form should be the applicant, contractor doing the work, and all insurance forms should be the same address as the applicant.

1. Workers’ Compensation Insurance covering all employees pursuant to Section 57 of The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law. Such coverage will also include Employers’ Liability Insurance with a limit not less than $500,000 per claim.

Those contractors who are exempt from providing Workers’ Compensation must submit a copy of their Affidavit of Exemption to Show Specific Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance…(NYS form BP-1(3/99)). Forms are available at the Building Department.

2. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for personal injury and property damage. The Village of Larchmont will be named as Certificate Holder and Additional Insured.  Such insurance will provide coverage for, but not limited to, contractual liability coverage, completed operations, and the explosion, collapse and underground damage exclusions must be deleted from the policy.
3. Disability Insurance Acceptable forms, DB 120.1
4. A copy of your Westchester County Home Improvement or Plumbing/Electrical License must be submitted at the same time of submitting the application.

Certificates of Insurance to be furnished by Contractors must indicate that at least ten (10) days prior written notice of cancellation and/or materials change in coverage must be submitted to the Village of Larchmont, Building Department, 120 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, New York 10538.

Contractors and/or sub-contractors must carry identical insurance as indicated above.