by Andrew Getty

Webb Code Enforcement Officer

what a great deal!

Q

: Can you tell us what we need to do to build a camp?

A: Sure, that’s what we do. To begin, tell us where the property is.

Q: We just purchased, at tax auction, a wonderful deal! Only $9,001 for a lot with waterfront!

A: Okay. I’m really happy for you; now tell us where this lot is.

Q: It’s on the lake just before Old Forge. Someone told me to come see you, but it seems so far from Old Forge. Is this in your territory? Or do you just do Old Forge? 

A: The Town of Webb has 480 square miles of territory; starting before McKeever Bridge, going through Old Forge to Eagle Bay, then north way past Big Moose, Stillwater and Beaver River, including the Independence River and Pigeon Lake area. There are dozens of lakes. Again, tell us the lake you are on.

Q: The name of the lake begins with “E” or “O”, does that help?

A: Maybe it’s Lake Easka?

Q: No, that doesn’t sound right. Is there a lake name that starts with “O”?

A: Don’t believe so, maybe it’s part of the Okara Lakes, which includes Lake Easka and Lake Tekeni.

Q: Okara Lakes…..that’s it! Are there other camps on Okara Lake?

A: There is not an Okara Lake, that is the name of the area, Okara Lakes. And yes, it is a residential neighborhood with many homes and seasonal residences.

Q: Really?! Wow, this is great, we must have found a great deal! Now, are any permits required way up here in the woods? I assume we can do pretty much what we want to, right? No one cares or knows the difference?

A: Slow down a little… first, show me a map, preferably a surveyor’s map.

Q: Here is the map we got at the auction. We have not seen the property yet.

A: You bought this sight unseen, not knowing what it’s like or what the regulatory requirements are?

Q: Sure! For 9 grand and waterfront, we can’t go wrong! All we want to do is build a little camp, have a dock and a small boathouse to keep our ski boat in. We don’t even need a bathroom; we’ll just build an outhouse. 

A: Again, slow down… yes, permits are required. This is a residential neighborhood, not wilderness area. Only single family dwellings are allowed.

You can call it a “camp,” but whatever may be built in the Okara Lake area must meet the definition of a single family dwelling, a regular house with sleeping, bathing, sanitary and complete cooking facilities.

Outhouses are prohibited as a permanent solution to sanitary facilities.

Q: We can’t afford a second home. All we want is a basic camp. Can that be small?

A: Actually, it can be pretty small, if the spaces in the dwelling meet the minimum space requirements of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the Residential Code of New York.

Q: The what?

A: New York State regulates structures by use and occupancy, the town regulates how the land can be used or developed through land use regulations commonly known as zoning. This office administers both laws.

Q: Here is the map we got at the auction. Where can we build our camp? Maybe we can just build a small boathouse and live in that too, kind of all-in-one?

A: Dwellings are prohibited inside a boathouse everywhere in the Adirondacks. Let’s look at the map you have… this is just a poor copy of a portion of the tax maps! Although we can use this to talk about the basics, a good survey will need to be done to talk details… This tax map only shows 25 feet of water front, and maybe 50 feet wide at the road!

Q: The camp we are going to build is less than that, it will fit perfect!

A: This lot does not have enough room to build anything. A dwelling has to be 25 feet from each side property line, 75 feet from the mean high water line of the lake, and 50 feet from the road. Also, knowing about where this is, there are probably wetlands on the lot which cannot be disturbed.

Q: What are you saying?… we can’t do anything with this lot?

A: Sorry, it looks like there was a pretty good reason why this lot was at the tax auction, you can’t build on it. Way too small in width and area and is covered with wetlands.

Q: This does not sound very legal; you can’t deny me my rights to do with my land as I wish. I’m calling my attorney and will sue you and the town! I’ll have your job taken away!!

A: Okay, this went well… Go ahead, sue me and the town. It will be a waste of time and money. Please spell my name correctly. Maybe the next time you buy property, sight unseen, not knowing what the rules are, you might find out before you make the deal. Knowledge before action; interesting concept.