When you submit a permit application in East Hampton, it doesn’t land on just one person’s desk. Multiple departments, boards, and reviewers are involved, each with their own specific criteria and timelines.

Building departments across the Hamptons have one thing in common: they expect clean, complete, and compliant permit submissions. If your plans don’t meet code or contain mistakes, you’ll end up with delays, rejections, or a project that never gets off the ground.

In the Hamptons, where zoning codes are strict and towns are notoriously detail-oriented, misunderstanding the permitting process can cost you weeks, or even months. Many homeowners, builders, and even architects fall into the trap of believing common myths about expediting and approvals. The result? Avoidable delays, failed inspections, and rising costs.

Landscaping in the Hamptons might seem like a simple weekend project, but depending on what you're planning and where your property is located, you may need a permit or approval before you begin. Homeowners in East Hampton, Southampton, Sagaponack, Bridgehampton, and other parts of the East End are often surprised to learn that planting trees, adding gravel walkways, installing fences, or even changing grading can be considered regulated construction activity under town codes