Frequently Asked Questions

No. Please refer to bag schedule calendar.

Highway Office - 5 Bags for $3.00 for a 40-gallon bag.

17 Bedford Road - behind Town Hall across the hall from Tax Receivers Office.

Please refer to the brush schedule (PDF).

The Town of North Castle Building Department reviews applications on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we are committed to processing your plans as quickly and efficiently as possible. The Towns goal is to complete the plan review within 2 to 4 weeks. All re reviews may take up to 2 weeks.

Please be advised, depending on the amount of permits received this time frame may be extended at any point in time.

Building permits are mainly about safety. By enforcing construction standards, they give you and the other occupants of the building the best chance to avoid fire, structural failure or something as simple as a child getting his head caught between stair posts. If you decide to move, the permit process also protects future owners.

The first reason to obtain a building permit is that it's illegal not to. If you fail to get a permit for work that requires it, you can be fined. You may be forced to remove a building or tear out completed work. But there are plenty of positive reasons for following the permit process as well:

• It keeps your contractor honest. To beat out the price of a competitor, a profit-driven contractor might be tempted to cut corners. Would you know it if he did? Most construction work ends up hidden behind walls and under floors. A building permit requires that a contractor use sound and safe methods and materials. And inspections assure you that he does so.
• It guides your do-it-yourself project. No matter how handy you are, you aren't likely to know everything about modern building practices. When you get a permit, you'll have to show the building department your plans. If they don't follow the codes, the building inspector will ask you to revise them. But if you never apply for a permit, you might go ahead with work that's dangerous or unsound.
• It keeps your insurance valid. Building done without a permit can mean that your insurance company may not honor your policy. A fire resulting from work without a permit could leave you holding the bag. If someone falls off a deck that was built without a permit, your liability insurance may not cover his or her injuries [source: Redondo Beach].

It's valuable when you sell your home. If you perform work without a permit, you can assume a potential buyer will know about it. The permit process is a matter of public record. Having all the necessary permits makes the sale proceed much more smoothly [source: Oregon Association of Realtors].

Please fill out our online FOIL request form and we will email your entire building file.

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A Building Permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, decks, swimming pools, driveways, fences and walls over 4 feet, gutting kitchens and bathrooms, enclosing a screened in porch, replacing a boiler or hot water heater, adding central air conditioning or altering an existing system, roof replacement, window replacement, adding skylights and tree cutting. A Plumbing and Electrical permit is also required for any work that falls under the NYS Uniform code. For additional questions about when a building permit is required, please contact our office at (914) 273-3000 x44.

• One Family Dwellings
• Additions
• Pools
• Retaining Walls
• Sheds
• Fences
• Accessory Structures

Liz Duffy is in charge of Senior Recreation and she can be reached by calling 914-273-3000, ext. 305. Door-to-door transportation to the Town's senior drop-in center is available four days a week. Seniors meet Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at the Hergenhan Community Center in Armonk. Weekly grocery shopping to either ShopRite or Stop and Shop is available to senior residents one day a week.

Home-delivered meals are available to senior residents Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. There is a fee per meal for this service and participants are billed monthly. We are always looking for volunteers to pick up meals from the Hergenhan Recreation Center at about 11:15 am and deliver them in the Armonk / Banksville / North White Plains area. It takes about 1 1/2 hours of your time. Please email Parks and Recreation for more information or call 914-273-3000, ext. 49.

Stay informed by signing up to receive Parks and Recreation News by checking off "Recreation News". There you can sign up for additional Town email newsletters as well. You can also text NORTHCASTLEREC to 22828. This is the best way to stay in touch with what's happening in our department!

Refunds and/or credits will be given only under the following conditions:

• All refund or credit requests, stating the reason for the refund/credit, must be made in writing by the halfway point of the program to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.
• A full refund or credit will be given if the program is canceled by the Parks and Recreation Department prior to the program's start.
• All requests for refunds made prior to the class start date, if granted, will be subject to a $25 processing fee.
• All requests for refunds made on or after the class start date, if granted, will be subject to a $25 processing fee minus any classes that have taken place.
• No refund or credit will be considered once a program is half over.
• If a participant becomes ill or injured for an extended period of time, a full or prorated refund or credit, less a processing fee, will be made based on the date the written request is received. A doctor's note must accompany the request, and the request must be made prior to the end of the program.

Town residents are those who live within the hamlets of Banksville, Armonk, and North White Plains and pay Town taxes that subsidize the Parks and Recreation Department. Not everyone within the Byram Hills School District is a Town resident, just as not every Town resident is within the Byram Hills School District. For example, North White Plains residents are in the Valhalla School District. The Parks and Recreation Department has a cooperative relationship with Byram Hills School District. Therefore, the programs of North Castle Parks and Recreation are also made available to those residing within the Byram Hills School District, yet outside Town boundaries. Generally, those non-residents are required to pay a slightly higher fee when programs do not take place in school district facilities.

We do not prorate fees if a participant wishes to register after the class has already begun. We want people to register early for programs as we need time to properly plan to run a quality program. Registering late actually creates additional work for our staff. We also do not give back partial fees if someone is absent from a class. We do have expenses to pay for each program whether we have 100% or partial attendance at programs. So please register early and attend all your classes!

Dogs are not permitted to run free. Only dogs that are on a leash of not more than 8 feet in length and licensed by the Town Clerk are permitted in Town parks. Additionally, dogs must be under the visual and voice control of a responsible person at least 18 years of age able to control the dog. Finally, it is the responsibility of the person controlling the dog while in all Town parks and recreational facilities to pick up and properly dispose of the dog's waste. (Town Code Chapter 92)

We will complete non-criminal fingerprint cards for any North Castle resident or any person who works within North Castle on an appointment basis.

• Appointments must be made Monday through Friday, generally during normal business hours.
• You must bring the proper fingerprint cards that are required by the agency or business that is requesting the prints.
• There is a fee of $15 per card, which is payable at the Town Clerk's Office. The Town Clerk's Office does not sell fingerprint cards, you must supply your own.
• The fee can also be paid online by credit card:
  • Be sure to select "fingerprints" from the dropdown menu as payment type
  • Print out the receipt to bring with the fingerprint cards as proof of payment.
• We do not take fingerprints for immigration purposes.

Call North Castle Police Department at 914-273-9500 to request an appointment.

You must respond to the ticket by entering a plea of Not Guilty or Guilty with the North Castle Justice Court by the date and time indicated on the ticket.

If your ticket indicates that you must respond In Person, then you must go to the Court on the date and time indicated on the ticket. If your ticket indicates that you must respond By Mail, then you need to enter your plea directly on the ticket by checking the appropriate area for your plea. You can either mail your ticket to the Court or bring it to the Court Clerk's Office in person. Either way, your plea must be entered with the Court by the date and time indicated on the ticket.

The Court is located in North Castle Town Hall (directions noted above). Questions can be directed to the Court Clerk's Office at 914-273-3000, ext. 41.

Click here or visit CRASHDOCS.org and choose North Castle Police Department to download a free copy of your report after 5-7 business days.  Once there you will be prompted to enter your report number, the last name of the involved party, and the date of the accident.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please call 914-273-9500 and ask for records.

Dial 911 for any Police, Fire, or Medical emergency. For non-emergency matters, call 914-273-9500.

Do not contact the North Castle Police Department to apply for a pistol permit.

Contact: Westchester County Department of Public Safety (Pistol License Division) at 914-995-2709.

Links for more information:

• Westchester County Department of Public Safety - Pistol License Unit
• Westchester County Pistol Permit Application Instructions (PDF)
• Pistol License Safety and Information Handbook For Westchester County (PDF)
• Westchester County Clerk - Pistol Licenses

Yes, you should call in any suspicious activity that you observe. We depend on our residents to assist us by reporting this suspicious activity. When you call you will be asked questions about the activity to determine its nature and ask for details (description of person, vehicle, license plate, etc).

Our Desk Officer receives all calls requesting police services and determines a priority based upon the seriousness of the incident. Emergencies and more serious calls are given a higher priority and therefore at times our response to less urgent matters may be delayed.

The speed limit throughout the Town of North Castle is 30 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted.

Here are the related sections of the law, as noted in Chapter 92 of Town Code:

92-4. Running at large

1. No person owning, harboring or having custody or control of a dog shall permit, suffer or allow such dog to be at large at any time within the limits of the Town of North Castle, Westchester County, New York, elsewhere than on the premises of the owner.
2. No person owning, harboring or having custody or control of a dog shall cause or permit such dog to roam or be at large in any municipal park. The foregoing notwithstanding, dogs properly licensed and restrained by a leash not exceeding eight feet in length may, except in areas hereinafter specified, be brought into a park. In no event shall dogs be allowed in any building, picnic area, playground or ball field unless they are restrained by a leash.
3. Any dog found running at large shall be turned over to the Dog Control Officer of the Town of North Castle, and the owner thereafter, in order to obtain possession of the dog, must have a valid license and must pay the impoundment fee. Upon failure of the owner to redeem the dog within five days from the date of seizure, title to the dog may be forfeited, and the dog may then be transferred to the current contracted shelter where the dog shall either be made available for adoption or euthanized.

92-8. Control of dogs off premises

1. No dog shall be off the premises of its owner or person harboring said dog unless it is on a leash of not more than eight feet in length or under the visual and voice control of a responsible person at least 18 years of age able to control the dog and the dog is responsive to such visual and voice control.

Here are the related sections of the law, as noted in Chapter 196 of Town Code:

§ 196-25.1. Commercial vehicle parking hours restricted.

The owner or operator of any commercial vehicle, as defined in this chapter, shall not park said vehicle on any street, avenue, lane, road or other public thoroughfare in the Town of North Castle between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am (prevailing time).

§ 196-1. Definitions; interpretation.

Commercial Vehicle:

• Includes every type of motor-driven vehicle exceeding 6,000 pounds gross weight designed and used for commercial purposes, such as the transportation of goods, wares, equipment and merchandise, including, without limitation, trucks, truck tractors, trailers, semitrailers, omnibuses and school buses and every vehicle designed or used for commercial purposes which is without motor power and designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle, and every motor vehicle designed and used for commercial purposes for drawing other vehicles which are so constructed as not to carry any load thereon except any such vehicles as are run on rails or tracks and vehicles of the passenger motor vehicle type.

The Police Department is located in North Castle Town Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Armonk. When using a GPS, use 17 Bedford Road, Armonk. Town Hall is located on Bedford Road between Main Street and Maple Avenue. North Castle Town Hall Map.

Per Town Code, Section 196-35: No vehicle shall be allowed or permitted to be parked, stored or kept unattended on any Town highway or other highway within the Town of North Castle from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. during the period from November 15 to April 1.

Sustainability can be many different things - a motto, an ideal, a way to do business, a way to live your life or a call to action. It is commonly defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This requires the reconciliation of environmental, social and economic demands - the three pillars of sustainability.

A carbon footprint is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide is produced to support your lifestyle. In going about our daily lives - commuting, sheltering our families, eating - each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Carbon footprint is a measure of the greenhouse gases produced based on the consumption of electricity, gas, and other types of energy. Carbon footprints can also be applied on a larger scale to companies, businesses, and even countries.

There are many things each of us can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat, and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.

In the case of a returned / non-honored check, these taxes will be returned to an unpaid status and at that point, we will require the taxpayer to replace the tax payment in the exact amount of the tax payment. We also require a $20 returned item fee. Please note: if the problem occurred within a penalty-free period and we are notified immediately, only the tax payment will be required along with the returned item fee (separate checks) - However, if the issue occurs at the end of the month and we are not notified by either the taxpayer or our bank until the following month, included with the Returned Item fee there will be an appropriate mandated penalty included and the payment will not be credited in the month in which it originally was made but the month following. Therefore, you will regain credit for the month in which we are able to redeposit your payment.

PLEASE NOTE: Regarding any returned / non-honored check for the 2018 pre-payments - we will not be requesting a replacement check for those payments and please know that you will not be receiving 2017 credit for those payments.

Yes. Property owners are not relieved of the obligation to pay taxes due to the lack of a bill. There is no authorization in Real Property Tax Law to waive the penalties or interest.

Yes, you can either pay in person, online, or we will accept the postmark on the first business day following the weekend and/or holiday.

Tax payments are deemed to have been paid as of the date of the postmark. If payment is postmarked after the due date, interest and penalties will accrue. If the envelope arrives at the Tax Office without a postmark, unfortunately, it is deemed paid on the date of its arrival.

Yes, providing it is a timely, official United States Post Office Postmark. Private / office meters and foreign postmarks are not acceptable.

Sign up for e-bills. No, we respect your privacy and will not share your information with anyone. Yes, you will continue to receive a hard copy; one for the Town bill due on or before April 30th and the other with two payment coupons attached first half is due on or before September 30th, and the second half is due on or before January 31st. We do not mail duplicate bills for the second half this is why we urge our property owners to register for e-bills, e-receipts, and e-reminders (generated mid-December) to avoid forgetting the second payment which will result in a 10% penalty on February 1st. The e-bills are generated around the same time the hard copy bills are.

Call our Water Department at 914-273-1882 and schedule a final meter reading.

The request must be in writing so please send our office a letter to the attention of: 

Patrick Ricci, Receiver of Taxes
Town Hall Annex
17 Bedford Road
Armonk, NY 10504 

or send an email explaining just that and please specify where you would like all future tax bills and correspondence from this office to be mailed if different from your property address.

Pay taxes securely online using your checking account information. This site is available 365 days a year.

For your convenience, we now offer online tax payments with a credit card - we accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Please know that credit card payments can only be done online, we do not process credit card payments in our office.

Each year, the North Castle water department sends out an annual water quality report for each district. Information on your water source is available in the report. View the most recent Annual Water Quality Reports.

We do not add fluoride to our water, however, there is a trace of fluoride in the District's source water.

Statistically, it is estimated that one person would use approximately 100 gallons per day. However every household has different water consumption habits. Irrigation is not included in this figure.

There is a leak indicator on the face of your water meter. This red dial should not be moving if all the water is off in the house. However, if the dial is spinning, look for the source. Typically, it is a leaky faucet, running toilet, a broken sprinkler head or there is a leak in the irrigation line.

Homeowners can also keep track of their daily/weekly/monthly water consumption by recording the readings found on the top of the meter head. Simply subtract the numbers to track how many gallons are being consumed during a particular time period.

If your meter is not located in the house because you have a meter pit near your street shut off, due to lack of access, please call the water department at 914-273-1882, to assist in monitoring for a leak.

We add chlorine to the finished water as a disinfectant, as required by New York State Department of Health. Concentration of chlorine vary throughout the different service areas of the districts in Town depending on location, water temperature, and seasonal variations.

We send bills out quarterly; March 1st, June 1st, September 1st, and December 1st.

The meters are read one month prior to the billing to allow for processing.

Generally not, the meter only advances when water is pushed through it. Although a misread is possible, If you have a question about your reading, call the Water Department at 914-273-1882 and we will reread the meter, and advise you of our findings.

Yes, follow this link for secure online payments

There can be several reasons for this. Frequently, low pressure throughout the house may be an indication that the pressure regulator is malfunctioning or needs replacing. Often times if installed, a house filter may become clogged or a water softener may not be functioning correctly. If pressure is low in one particular sink, chances are that water saver or strainer located in the faucet, is clogged with sediment. On a larger scale, there could be a water main break within your service area or fire department activity.

Discoloration of water can result from many reasons: Red or rust color could result from a water main break, an open fire hydrant in your neighborhood, or a change of flow direction within the distribution system causing sediment to slough off. This can also occur in Internal plumbing and fixtures. Milky water could be the result of additional air within the water system from a water main break or other system shut down.