Building Responsibly in Schoharie County

One of the most important considerations when building or buying a home, is how you will minimize the potential adverse impacts to your property and the health and safety of those who reside there. Where you build and how you build will have impacts on our community and generations that follow. All development activities within the regulated floodplain are required to be reviewed by your local Building Code Enforcement Official.

The New York State Building Code sets minimum construction and elevation standards for structures built inside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and gives communities the authority to regulate these standards. To determine what permits and standards are required before you build, contact your Local Building Code Official (who is also the Floodplain Administrator) listed below.

Development along waterways can change the way a stream moves. This can make damage worse for those at risk for flooding – or cause flooding in areas that have never flooded in the past. Regulations are in place to try to prevent this.