Federal Review of Building and Zoning Permit Applications within Fire Island National Seashore

The September 1964 enabling legislation for Fire Island National Seashore (See Management Documents) mandated that regulations be developed which would provide standards for local zoning in order to protect and conserve Fire Island. These regulations set forth federal standards to which local ordinances for Fire Island must conform, articulating limitations on use, location, and size of structures on public and private property within the boundaries of Fire Island National Seashore.

Among other things, the standards are intended:

• To promote the protection and development of the land within the Seashore, ... by means of size, location, or use limitations or restrictions on commercial, residential, or other structures with the objective of controlling population density and protecting the island's natural resources;
• To limit development and use of land to single-family homes, to prohibit development and use of multiple family homes, and to prohibit the conversion of structures to multiple-family homes;
• To prohibit commercial or industrial uses initiated after September 11, 1964 or the expansion of existing commercial or industrial uses on any property within the Seashore which is inconsistent with the Federal standards and approved local ordinances ..., is likely to cause a significant harm to the resources of the Seashore or will not provide a service to Fire Island;
  
• To recognize that the zoning authorities have the primary responsibility for zoning enforcement within the Seashore;
  ...
• To provide a mechanism for the superintendent to inform landowners and the zoning authority if a use or development will be inconsistent with Federal standards or the purposes of the Act.

The Fire Island National Seashore Federal Zoning Standards are found within the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 28.

Fire Island National Seashore's superintendent reviews each application for a building permit or variance from these approved zoning standards, and provides feedback to the local zoning authority.

 

Review and Comments on Zoning/Building Permit Applications

Notification letters from Fire Island National Seashore to the appropriate zoning authority are now being posted online. They are organized by specific zoning jurisdiction, then are listed by date of the park superintendent's review and by Suffolk County Tax Map Number.

Town of Brookhaven Building & Zoning Applications for Fire Island

Town of Islip Building & Zoning Applications for Fire Island

Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach Building & Zoning Applications for Fire Island

Incorporated Village of Saltaire Building & Zoning Applications for Fire Island