The City of Rye, Not the Town
Rye is a city. It received its city charter in 1942, and it is a separate municipality from the Town of Rye. Named areas of the city include Milton, Indian Village, Soundview Park and Greenhaven. The Boston Post Road Historic District in Rye is a National Historic Landmark district.
What that means for a remodel is that the rules come from the City, not the Town, and the City takes the appearance of a house seriously. Anything that changes how the house looks from outside is reviewed. Interior work is a different path, and it is the one most kitchen and bathroom remodels take.
How It Looks From the Street Is Reviewed
The City has a Board of Architectural Review with seven members. Under the City code, every building permit application for construction, reconstruction or alteration — including an addition — that would affect the exterior appearance of a structure is referred to it. The City uses one combined building permit and architectural review application, so the review is part of the permit, not a separate filing. A "small project" exception exists for some one- and two-family work; the Building Department decides whether a project qualifies.
The practical split is this. A kitchen or bathroom remodel inside existing walls does not change the exterior, so it does not go before the board. An addition does, because it changes how the house reads from the street. We handle the review as part of pulling the permit when it applies.
Floor Area: Attics and Basements Can Count
The City limits total floor area by ratio under its zoning table, and attic and basement space can count toward it in some cases. As in the other Sound Shore towns, the question of how much house the lot will allow comes before the question of what the addition looks like. The Building Department can tell you what your lot allows, and we start there before we talk about the finish.
The Building Department
The City of Rye Building Department is at 1051 Boston Post Road, (914) 967-7372. That is the City's number, not ours — our number is (914) 474-1951. The department enforces the state building code and the City's own rules on renovations, additions, alterations and construction in FEMA flood zones.
We pull the permits for the work we do, and we do not start the work before the permit is in place. We hold Westchester County Home Improvement License number WC-33098-H20, and you can check it with the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155.
Trees and Historic Properties
Removing a protected or significant tree requires a tree removal permit from the City Building Inspector. If an addition calls for taking down a tree, the permit is part of the work, and we raise it at the estimate.
In a designated historic district or protected site, a material change of appearance needs a certificate of appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review. The Boston Post Road Historic District is a National Historic Landmark district, so this can apply to houses within it. We handle it as part of pulling the permit when it applies.
Flood Zones
The City requires a floodplain permit for development in a special flood hazard area, and uses the 50% substantial improvement rule: work costing 50% or more of the structure's market value before the work. Rye sits on Long Island Sound, so this comes up for houses near the water. We cover the flood rules in detail on our Westchester remodeling permits page.
What We Do in Rye
We do four things, all residential: kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, home additions, and home remodeling. Our projects start at $40,000, and we do not do handyman work or small repairs.
Anthony Quattrone has more than 40 years of experience and is on the job himself. We are licensed in Westchester County and we pull the permits through the City. The estimates are free, and the work carries a one-year warranty. Call us or request a free estimate.
Where We Work
We work in Westchester County, New York, and only there. Rye is one of the towns we serve.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a kitchen remodel in Rye go before the Board of Architectural Review?
Does an addition?
Is the City of Rye the same as the Town of Rye?
Who issues building permits in Rye?
Do you do small repair jobs in Rye?
Nearby towns we work in: Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester.
Free Estimate
Request a Free Estimate
Call Anthony directly, or send the details below. We come to the house and give you a free estimate.
(914) 474-1951Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM