Building Permits

Building permits in our community require the approval of both the Town of North Hempstead and the Port Washington Estates Association. Residents should be aware that, in addition to major alterations, a permit is required for things like above/below ground swimming pools, heating tanks/units, TV discs, fences and lawn sprinkling systems. To certify that plumbers and electricians are licensed to work in North Hempstead, you may contact the Building Department at 869-7806. In addition to levying fines, the town has a policy of tripling permit fees for those who apply for a permit after the work has been done. For further information on Town requirements, you can call 869-7813 or call  up the Town website at webmaster@northhempstead.com.

The Covenants of the Port Washington Estates Association also regulate building construction activity in our community. As with the Town, residents are required to notify the Association prior to construction by completing a permit application. Within one week after receiving the permit application from a resident, the Building Chairperson or his/her designee will conduct a physical inspection, review the plans and make a decision to approve the permit, approve with changes or deny the permit. The permit is reviewed by the Building Chairperson or his/her designee and the resident notified of a decision within two weeks. PWEA has enforcement powers to support our building codes which include injunctions halting construction and the ability to recover all litigation costs incurred. In some cases, the full PWEA Board of Directors may be required to pass an application and this may require an extension to the above mentioned time frame.

NOTE: There are eight homes on Huntington Road in the Port Washington Heights Historic District, an organization designated in 1994 by  omeowners to preserve properties. The Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission in the Town of North Hempstead also requires approval for all building changes for the following eight homes:

Section 5, Block 60, Lots: 33, 36, 324, 325

Section 5, Block 61, Lots: 45, 47, 144, 267

CONSTRUCTION APPROVAL PROCEDURES

  1. All residents of Port Washington Estates should share approved plans with the Board at: pwea-board@googlegroups.com for our review and record keeping.

  2. Should any resident not choose to comply with the above procedures, the Building or Legal Committee may seek an injunction halting construction until such time as the, construction has received such approval. PWEA will further seek to recover any and all costs incurred in the defense of its covenants and pursuit of its rights from the nonconforming party.