East Rockaway is an incorporated village with its own building department. Permits for work here are issued by the Village of East Rockaway — not by the Town of Hempstead and not by Nassau County.
That trips up homeowners and out-of-area contractors constantly. Filing with the town when the village has jurisdiction means the application comes back and the clock restarts.
East Rockaway Building Department — Contact and Hours
| Address | 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 516-887-6300 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. |
| Website | Village of East Rockaway Building Department |
Flood Zone and FEMA Requirements
East Rockaway carries coastal flood exposure, which means FEMA elevation and substantial-improvement rules apply on top of the village code. The one that catches people is the 50% rule: when improvements exceed 50% of the structure’s value, the entire structure can be required to meet current flood-compliant standards.
That single threshold can change a project’s scope and budget completely, and it is usually discovered too late. Read our full guide to FEMA flood zone renovation on Long Island.
How We Handle East Rockaway Permits
We are a licensed general contractor (Nassau County Home Improvement License #184594) and have been building on Long Island since 1976. We file permits as part of the job — not as an extra you chase separately.
- We file with the village, not the town or county — the correct authority, first time
- We identify board review requirements before the application goes in
- We prepare drawings to the village’s submission standard
- We schedule inspections and carry the project through to certificate of occupancy
Permit Questions
Does East Rockaway issue its own building permits?
Yes. East Rockaway is an incorporated village with its own building department at 376 Atlantic Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518. Permits are issued by the village, not by the town or Nassau County.
Do I need a permit to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in East Rockaway?
In nearly all cases, yes. Interior alterations require a permit, and work involving plumbing, electrical, or structural changes requires permits and inspections.
What happens if work is done without a permit in East Rockaway?
Unpermitted work can result in stop-work orders, fines, and difficulty obtaining a certificate of occupancy. It also commonly surfaces at resale, when a municipal search reveals open or absent permits.
How long does a East Rockaway building permit take?
Timelines depend on scope and whether the project requires board review. Board review is scheduled by meeting calendar, which is typically the largest variable. Contact the Building Department at 516-887-6300 for current processing times.
Planning a Renovation in East Rockaway?
We handle the permit process as part of the project. Free consultation, and a written line-item estimate.
516-826-8054 · Licensed Nassau County #184594 · BBB A+ since 1991 · 14× Angi Super Service Award
Related: FEMA flood zone renovation guide · What a kitchen remodel costs on Long Island · Building permits in all 64 Nassau villages