Frequently Asked Questions

A permit is a formal document authorizing the commencement of some action or work subject to regulations.

Permits are issued to fulfill legal mandates, to protect the health and safety of the general public, and to ensure compliance with construction drawings, specifications, and adopted building and fire codes.

The purpose of the Building Code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of all buildings and structures. A free on-line variation of the New York State (NYS) Codes is available online.

The Building Department issues building, plumbing, heating, and electrical permits for all private development in the Town of Poughkeepsie. In addition to the Building Department, the Zoning Department issues sign, home occupation, and yard sale permits (see Zoning department) for all private development in the Town of Poughkeepsie

In the Town of Poughkeepsie, both State and Local codes require that no person or organization shall begin to:

• Alter
• Construct
• Convert or Change the Nature of the Occupancy
• Demolish
• Enlarge
• Erect
• Excavate
• Improve
• Install Any Mechanical Equipment or Systems Such as:
  • Detection System Without First Having Applied for and Obtained a Permit
  • Electrical
  • Fire Suppression
  • Heating
  • Plumbing
• Remove
• Repair

Also, features such as swimming pools, sheds, signs, accessory apartments, or home occupations require permits.

Interior and exterior painting or decorating siding, or roofing that does not require replacing of structural members or necessary repairs that do not involve material alteration of structural features. Examples of items not needing a permit would include replacement of broken window glass, repair of a frozen water pipe and changing of an electrical fuse, or the replacement of a broken or missing electrical receptacle. When in doubt about the need for a permit, please contact the Building Department at 845-485-3655.

Permits are subject to fees adopted by the Poughkeepsie Town Board and posted in the Building Department.

New York State Education Law requires stamped plans and specifications from a New York State licensed architect or Professional Engineer for the construction of any commercial work; for the construction of new residential dwellings exceeding 1500 square feet in an area not including:

• Carports
• Cellars
• Garages
• Porches
• Uninhabitable Basements or Attics

In instances where stamped plans are not required, some type of detailed plans or specifications is required. For more information regarding this, please contact the Building Department at 845-485-3655.

At least two copies of plans and specifications are required when applying for a building permit (large projects may require more). One copy is kept in a master file within the Building Department and one copy is returned to the applicant and must be kept available at the job site. In addition to construction plans, two copies of a plot plan must be submitted. If a well or septic system is being installed, the Department of Health approval is required prior to issuance of a permit.

Some permits (such as minor construction) may take 5 to 10 business days. However, a plan review of a new residential dwelling may take 2 to 4 weeks. Commercial permits may take from 2 to 6 weeks to complete a review. In all cases, times are commensurate with the size of the project and completeness of the plans and specifications.

Large-scale construction projects may also require approval from the Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Appeals, New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Dutchess County Department of Planning. Smaller-scale projects may require approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals when special variances are sought. For further information concerning zoning requirements, please contact the Planning or Zoning Departments.

You will not be able to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance. The law provides that a Stop Work Order be issued and fines may be imposed. Additionally, any work found to be at variance with applicable codes, rules and regulations will have to be corrected or removed.

For additional information concerning building permits or code regulations, please call the Town of Poughkeepsie Building Department located at:

• Town Hall
  One Overocker Road
  Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
• Phone: 845-485-3655
• Fax: 845-486-7881
• Email the Building Department
• Town Hall is open from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday

Every dog, regardless of age, owned or harbored in New York State for longer than 30 days must be licensed in the town, city, or village where the dog is being harbored. The following are the only license exemptions:

• If the dog is under four months of age and not running-at-large (off the owner’s premises).
• Dogs harbored in New York City (these dogs must be licensed by the New York City Clerk).
• If a non-resident brings a dog into New York State for less than 30 days and the dog is licensed according to the resident state’s licensing laws.
• Dogs confined to the premises of any public or private hospital, research institution, or a Class A Dealer with a certificate of exemption from Ag and Markets.

1. Go to our Tax Pay Portal
2. Choose the Taxes you are interested in reviewing.
3. In the search field, you can use a number of search criteria to look up your bill receipt.  Choose one:
   1. Bill Number
   2. Tax Map Number
   3. Property Address (Only use the street number and name.  Leave off the identifier - Street, Road, Boulevard, etc.)
   4. Owner Name
4. Once you have verified your receipt, look towards the top of the bill/receipt and find the "View Printable Version" button. Click to print your receipt.

You will receive the property tax bill in late January of each year. It is payable on the last day of February without a penalty.

Yes, you can make your credit card payments at our bill pay portal. An additional fee will be applied.

Disclaimer as to the Service

The Town of Poughkeepsie shall not be liable for any damages or losses (whether direct or indirect) resulting from the use of this service, including but not limited to delay or mis-transmittal of a message, user error, equipment malfunction, natural impediments, networking impediments, inaccurate or incomplete information, insufficient funds in your account or any other cause, and by using the service you acknowledge the possibility of the same.

Although every attempt is made to provide accurate and timely information on our web site, this service is provided "as is" without guarantee, representation, or warranty of any kind, express or implied from the Town of Poughkeepsie or the third-party service provider.

You agree that this service is not a consumer good for purposes of federal or state warranty laws.

Yes. You can pay the property tax bill in three installments. Be alert to the fact that any bills paid after the last day of February incur a penalty. Two percent applies from March 1st through May 31st. Four percent applies from June 1st through August 31st.

You will receive the school tax bill in September after Labor Day. It is payable without a penalty within 30 days.

School Tax due dates are set by the School Districts and can vary from year to year.  Generally, they are due within the first two weeks of October.  Tax checks are made payable to Kelly Tremper Receiver of Taxes. This office accepts valid U.S. Postmarks only; a postage meter postmark is not a postmark made by the United States Post Office. Special Note: you can have the postmaster Hand Stamp the envelope to be accepted as timely.

No.

• Arlington Schools
• Hyde Park Schools
• Spackenkill Union Free School District
• Wappingers Schools

Information/applications regarding each of these programs are available by contacting the Assessor’s Office at 845-485-3643.

A change in address needs to be requested in writing to the Tax office.

Ms. Tremper is personally responsible to the residents of the Town of Poughkeepsie for ensuring that tax dollars she receives are properly posted and distributed to the county, town, and the four school districts.

Bill Pay payments made by banks and credit unions on your behalf are mailed from payment processing centers. The envelopes generated lack U.S. postmarks, as these institutions typically utilize pre-sorted first class or bulk mail permits. If your payment is not received by the due date, it will be considered a late payment.  Only official postmarks made by the US Postal service will be accepted as a payment date, with no exceptions. If you utilize your bank's service, make sure you send your payment early!

If the tax office receives payment after the original due date, by law, penalties are assessed. Please make checks payable to Kelly Tremper, Receiver of Taxes - please include your phone number on your check.

The primary role of a comprehensive plan is to establish the community’s vision for its future. It provides the community with the opportunity to reflect on existing conditions while providing direction to attain its vision. A comprehensive plan assigns responsibility and prioritizes specific actions for implementation following completion of the plan. According to state law, the plan may include a wide range of topics "at the level of detail adapted to the special requirements of the town…" Topics such as residential growth, economic development, land-use, infrastructure, natural resource protection, and community character are typically addressed in a Comprehensive Plan.

According to state law, "All land use regulations must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan adopted pursuant to this section." Updating zoning and subdivision regulations is one of the most important tools communities in New York State have for ensuring that future growth contributes to achieving the community’s vision and goals described in the Plan. At the end of this process, it is expected that the Town of Poughkeepsie will refine its local land use regulations as needed to be consistent with the plan.

A town resident can petition the town for historical status on a specific building, site, or landmark.  An application must be submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission. See how to Designate a Landmark.