Northport Offering Amnesty for Generator Permits

Northport village is offering amnesty for residents who have not obtained the proper building and plumbing permits for permanent generators installed on their property.

The amnesty will be valid from now until July 1. During that time, residents will pay only the standard permit fees and avoid penalty fees at triple the cost. Permit fees follow a schedule based upon the value of the work.

As part of the permitting process, an inspector will ensure that the generator is properly hooked up to the home's electrical and gas systems. If the generator is improperly wired into the home's electrical system it may backfeed into wiring on telephone poles, posing a serious risk to electrical workers as well as the homeowner.

Northport's interest in permanent generators has peaked since Hurricane Sandy. To streamline the permitting process, the village is presenting a "package deal" of both the building and plumbing permit needed to install a permanent generator.

The Village Zoning Board considers a permanent generator an accessory structure mainly because they make noise and generate exhaust. Application instructions are available on the village's website.