Town of Brookhaven
Long Island
Building Division
Beth Reilly, Esq., Commissioner
Tara McLaughlin, Deputy Commissioner
Angus Graham, Chief Building Inspector
One Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738 • Phone 631-451-6333 • Fax 631-451-6341
www.brookhavenny.gov
CERTIFICATE OF EXISTING USE
FIRE ISLAND
Certificates of Existing Use are issued for structures for which there are NO RECORD at the Town of Brookhaven.
THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED:
1. Application for Certificate of Existing Use.
2. Owner’s Affidavit…completed, signed by owner(s) only and notarized.
3. Disclosure Affidavit…completed and signed by owner(s) only.
4. Copies of all other Certificates of Occupancy and/or Building Permits.
5. One (1) original updated survey, this means the survey will show everything that is on the property as
of today. Photocopies will NOT be accepted.
6. If owner is deceased – a copy of the Letters Testamentary is required.
7. Proof that the structure(s) existed prior to the relevant date below.
8. Photographs of all sides of all structures on the property.
SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING: You may apply for this certificate by submitting legal proof that the structure was
constructed prior to June 30, 1959.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES ONLY: Relevant date for legal proof is September 1981.
TWO FAMILY DWELLING: This certificate requires approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. This office
will provide you with the applicable date for the legal proof requirement.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING: You may apply for this certificate by submitting legal proof that the premises were
improved prior to 1959. This certificate may require a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
PROOF MAY BE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: - PROOF MUST BE CONCLUSIVE.
A) Certified Tax Search showing the buildings only being assessed on the property prior to applicable
date(s) as stated above.
B) Original survey dated prior to the applicable date(s) as stated above.
C) Original New York Board of Fire Underwriters Certificate prior to the applicable date as stated above.
(Buildings only)
D) Other proof (i.e. Certificate of Occupancy for an addition to the structure; deed that specifically
identifies the buildings on the property; newspaper articles; developer dated photographs) – all dated
prior to the applicable date and approved by the Town of Brookhaven.
E) Support affidavits completed by two (2) non-related people stating that the accessory structures were in
place prior to September 1981.
Residential fee is $132.48. Commercial fee is $198.92. Fees are payable to the Town of Brookhaven by money
order, check, or cash payment in person. Applications are accepted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
1-2020