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1. Do I need a permit for a shed?

See our Shed Information Handout.

2. Do I need a permit to erect a fence?

No. There are no setback requirements for a fence. However, the fence must be located on your property and you are not allowed to trespass onto an adjoining property to maintain the fence. Fences on property borders must not exceed 6 feet in height above the adjoining grade. The fence should not block visibility for vehicle drivers nor be in the road right of way.

Zoning Regulations for Fences and Walls (PDF)

3. What zoning district am I in?

You can look up your zoning district by a searching your tax parcel ID number, Owner’s name, or address via Dutchess County Parcel Access. 

Directions to find out what district you are in:

• Select “Town of Hyde Park” at the top right-hand side of your screen

• Enter the last 6 digits of your parcel number/hit the Owner tab and enter the property owner’s name/hit the address tab and enter the physical address of the property - in the column to the right of the aerial map of Dutchess County. Hit the ‘go’ button

• Select your property in that same column

• Select the “Full property card” option (in red) at the bottom of that column

• Scroll down the pop-up screen to the bottom until you reach the “Site Information”

• The Zoning Code will be listed by acronym

Town of Hyde Park Zoning Map (link)

4. What are my setback requirements?

It depends on the zoning district you are in. See the instructions above for locating your Zoning District. Then refer to the setback requirements in the following attached PDFs and Links:

• Setback Requirements (Link)

• Schedule of Use Regulations (PDF)

• Schedule of Bulk Regulations (PDF)

• Crossroads Core Zoning District (PDF)

• Town of Hyde Park Zoning Map (PDF)

5. Can I have chickens or other livestock on my property?

Use Regulations (Link)

Site Plan Application (PDF)

6. How do I file a complaint?

Complete and submit the following form(s). Please note that forms must be signed.

• Building Department Complaint Form (for Property Maintenance and/or Building Safety and Fire complaints)

• Zoning Department Complaint Form (for Animal Husbandry, Signs, Construction Site Stormwaters, Illicit Discharges, Unregistered/Derelict Vehicles, and/or Other complaints)

7. Can I subdivide my property?

Only if you have enough property to create lots which will meet all the minimum bulk regulations.

• Dutchess County Parcel Access (Link)

• Setback Requirements (Link)

• Schedule of Use Regulations (PDF)

• Schedule of Bulk Regulations (PDF)

• Crossroads Core Zoning District (PDF)

• Town of Hyde Park Zoning Map (PDF)

8. Does the Town have a survey of my property?

Rarely. If a house has been recently built, the building department may have a survey on file.

9. Where can I find the Schedule of Use Regulations?

You can find it within our online Town Code. Click here to be taken to the exact link.

10. Where can I find the Schedule of Bulk Regulations?

You can find it within our online Town Code. Click here to be taken to the exact link.

11. What is the procedure for obtaining a Variance?

• Apply for a building permit (PDF)
• Receive a denial letter from the Zoning Administrator
• Fill out Variance application form and submit with fee
• Attend ZBA meeting for discussion and public hearing
• ZBA grants or denies the variance

12. What is an Area Variance?

An Area Variance provides relief from the dimensional requirements established for your zoning district. For more information, see our Zoning Board of Appeals Relief page.

13. What is a Use Variance?

A Use Variance is seeking relief from uses that are not permitted in your zoning district. For more information, see our Zoning Board of Appeals Relief page.

14. Where do I find definitions for terms contained within the Town's Zoning Code?

Here is the link to the Hyde Park Zoning Code’s Definition of Terms: Terms Defined (Link)

Town of Hyde Park eCode

15. Why wasn’t I notified that my neighbor is building a house, pool, deck, etc.?

No notification is made unless the proposed structure requires a Variance, Site Plan or a Special Use Permit in which case adjacent property owners are notified prior to a Public Hearing on the matter. You may wish to check this website monthly for agendas for both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board for more information or sign up to receive their agendas by email.