Village of Kensington Building Permits

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Call or Text 516-399-0139 Get a Free Quote

Kensington is a village in the Town of North Hempstead, and permits go to the Village. The Village's rule: nothing is built, changed or torn down without a permit.

Village of Kensington Building Department (not us)

Address: Village Hall, 2 Nassau Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: 516-482-4409
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm
Permit portal: None. Kensington files on paper at Village Hall.
Permit rules: Building Department
Local code: Village of Kensington Building Code
Forms: Building Department forms

Permits We Handle in Kensington

Village of Kensington Building Permit Fees

A building permit in Kensington costs $7.50 per square foot plus $1,500 for a new house or a large addition, and $4.50 per square foot plus $500 for a kitchen or bathroom renovation.

Fees charged by the Village of Kensington Building Department
Permit	Fee
New house, or addition or renovation over 40%	$7.50 per sq ft plus $1,500
Addition under 40% of floor area	$6 per sq ft plus $750
Kitchen or bathroom renovation	$4.50 per sq ft plus $500
General interior renovation	$3 per sq ft plus $500
Windows or doors	$200 for the first unit, plus $25 per additional unit
Base filing fee	$350 ($750 or $1,500 for larger projects), credited to the permit fee

Source: Village of Kensington: Application for Building Permit (PDF) (opens in a new tab). Checked October 21, 2026.

How Filing Works in Kensington

On paper, in duplicatePrinted forms, handed in at Village Hall.
PlansTwo sets, signed and sealed, at 1/4 inch = 1 foot or larger.
Design reviewThe Architectural Review Board reviews applications.
PapersNotarized owner sign-off, licenses and insurance.

Selling your house? Close your open permits first.

Open permit close-outs

How We Help in Kensington

Complete packages. Plans, forms, licenses and insurance, ready for review.
We handle design review and follow up to final sign-off.
Need a variance? We refer you to a zoning/land-use attorney and keep the permit moving.

Decks, fences, sheds and pools: about 2–4 weeks. Other jobs: about 4–8 weeks on average.* It varies by village and scope.*Typical time is based on an average job in the Village of Kensington, assuming no extra work or construction needs to be done and the building department accepts the permit application.

Rolled blueprints and a permit folder on a pickup tailgate in front of a home renovation

Kensington Permit Questions

What work needs a permit in Kensington?

The Village says no structure may be built, changed or torn down without an approved building permit. Plumbing has its own permit.

Source: Village of Kensington: Building Department (opens in a new tab)

Who reviews my project?

The Architectural Review Board reviews applications and recommends approval, changes or denial to the Board of Trustees. The Building Inspector issues the permit, inspects the work and issues the certificate of occupancy. Variances go to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Source: Village of Kensington: Building Department (opens in a new tab)

What does my contractor need?

Every contractor, including plumbers and electricians, needs a Nassau County license. Plumbers and electricians also need the town license. Liability, disability and workers' compensation insurance must name the Village of Kensington as certificate holder.

Source: Village of Kensington: Building Department (opens in a new tab)

How do inspections work?

The Building Inspector needs 48 hours' notice before each inspection. The approved plans and permit stay on site until the certificate of occupancy or completion is issued.

Source: Village of Kensington: building permit application (opens in a new tab)