Home Repair Information

REPAIRS AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE FROM SANDY

To all Town of Babylon residents regarding home repairs resulting from damage from super storm Sandy, please consider the following information when repairing storm damaged homes: RAISING YOUR HOME
If your home has sustained substantial damage (defined as repair costs exceeding 50% of the building value) there are two programs available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

The following outlines important FEMA programs; for further information, please visit the FEMA website

1.) ICC –Increased Cost of Compliance: ICC funds must be claimed through an individual's flood insurance policy. They must get an engineer's certification that their home was damaged by over 50%, and the Building Department must agree with the engineer's findings so they can file the claim with insurance.

2.) HMGP – Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The HMGP program has not been announced yet and no applications are available, but we are taking names of anyone interested. Please call (631) 422-7650 or (631) 422-7696 to place your name on the list.

After determining the elevation listed for your property on the FEMA map, you must then add an additional 2 feet to that elevation because of a New York State Building Code Requirement known as "free board". "Free board" refers to the requirement that mandates the building be raised above the Base Flood Elevation to meet the community's flood protection requirement.

FEMA maps are available to view at the Babylon Town Hall Annex, Phelps Lane, North Babylon.

A small percentage of the Town is in the "wave action zone". These are houses that face directly onto the Great South Bay. This zone will require that you raise your house on piles with breakaway walls on the ground floor, similar to homes on Gilgo Beach, Fire Island, etc.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THESE TWO PROGRAMS PLEASE CALL THE TOWN OF BABYLON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: (631) 422-7650 or (631) 422-7696 

DEMOLITION 

If your home is beyond repair and must be demolished than you must apply for a demolition permit with the Town of Babylon Building Department.

Letters of utility disconnects are required along with an asbestos abatement letter prior to demolition.

NEW HOME

If you are going to completely rebuild your home applications must be submitted to both the Town Building Department and Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Any new single-family homes that are being built must meet Energy Star standards and achieve minimum energy conservation performance as verified by the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). Please refer to the Town Code for more information.

Application may be necessary with the NYSDEC if you are within 300 feet of unbulkheaded wetlands.

REPAIR

If you are repairing your home "as is" then a building permit is required if the repairs involve anything structural, and/or the electrical or plumbing systems. This procedure is outlined: 

PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY STORM REPAIR PERMIT

  • Emergency Storm Repair Permit printed on RED paper – available at Building Department or online.
  • Immediate inspection of property prior to issuance of permit to verify work to be done
  • Permit only covers replacement or reconstruction of areas damaged by the storm
  • No plans required - Work to be done to code but it is not necessary to bring the rest of home up to code
  • Suffolk County licensed contractors recommended
  • Fire Underwriters required if applicable
  • Plumbing permit/inspection required if applicable
  • Structural repairs require certification by either the company performing the work or a structural engineer.