Westchester County Remodeling Permit Guide: What You Need to Know in 2026

Yes — in virtually all cases, kitchen and bathroom renovations in Westchester County require building permits. Specifically, permits are required for any work that involves electrical modifications or upgrades, plumbing modifications or additions, structural changes (wall removal, beam installation), HVAC modifications, and any work that changes the use of a space.

Cosmetic work — painting, replacing fixtures in the same location without moving plumbing, replacing flooring — generally does not require a permit. If you are unsure, the safest approach is to ask your contractor.

Westchester County does not have a unified building department. Each municipality — Scarsdale, Rye, Larchmont, Chappaqua, Harrison, and all others — has its own Building Department, fee schedule, and review process. This is one of the most important realities to understand about Westchester County renovation projects.

The permit process typically involves: submitting a permit application with drawings and specifications, paying the municipal fee, waiting for plan review and approval, scheduling inspections at key construction milestones, and obtaining a final Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion at the end.

Scarsdale is unique among Westchester municipalities in requiring Architectural Review Board (ARB) approval for certain renovation projects. The ARB primarily governs exterior work — additions, new windows, siding changes — but interior renovations that require a building permit must still include ARB notification in some cases.

Three Brothers has navigated dozens of Scarsdale ARB submissions. We prepare the required documentation — site plans, elevation drawings, material specifications — to meet ARB requirements without adding unnecessary delay to your project.

Permit timelines in Westchester County vary significantly by municipality. In general, straightforward kitchen and bathroom renovation permits are approved in 2–6 weeks in most Westchester municipalities. More complex projects with structural changes may take 4–10 weeks. Scarsdale projects with ARB review may add an additional 4–8 weeks.

Three Brothers accounts for permit timelines in every project schedule. We submit permit applications as early as possible in the design phase — often while you are still reviewing material specifications — to avoid adding permit wait time to your total project duration.

Permit fees in Westchester County are calculated differently in each municipality, but typically run $800–$3,000 for a standard kitchen or bathroom renovation. Some municipalities charge flat fees; others charge a percentage of the declared project cost.

Three Brothers handles all permit fee payments on your behalf and includes permit costs in your project proposal.