Custom Home Builder in Brewster, NY

Westchester & Putnam Custom Home Building Service Serving Brewster

New homes on land around Brewster and the Town of Southeast, where reservoirs, wetlands, wells and septic decide where a house can sit. We’re next door in Carmel and plan those questions before design.

In Brewster, the Land Decides First

Few places in our service area have as much of New York City’s water supply inside their borders as the Town of Southeast. All or part of the Middle Branch, East Branch, Bog Brook, Diverting and Croton Falls reservoirs are here, along with Peach Lake, Lake Tonetta and a web of streams and wetlands. Most lots outside the Village rely on a private well and a septic system.

That means a new house in Brewster starts with a lot evaluation, not a floor plan. Before we talk about rooflines or kitchens, we need to know where the septic field can legally go, where the well can be drilled at a safe distance, and whether the building envelope falls within a watershed limiting distance. Get those right and the permits follow. Skip them and the design has to be redrawn.

Watershed Distances We Check on Every Lot

Septic field and water. No part of a new absorption field within 100 feet of a watercourse or wetland, or 300 feet of a reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake.
House near a stream. A house within 100 feet of a perennial stream or State wetland needs an Individual Residential Stormwater Permit from DEP, and in post-1995 subdivisions it isn’t allowed.
Driveways. Paved driveways within 50 feet of an intermittent stream or wetland, or 100 feet of a perennial stream, can need a DEP permit.
Site disturbance. Larger clearing and grading brings erosion and sediment controls, which we plan before the excavator arrives.

These rules apply where the lot actually meets them. Plenty of Brewster parcels sit well away from the water, and for those the process is far simpler.

The Septic and Well Side

Soil testing

Deep test holes and percolation tests for an engineered design.

County approval

Putnam County Department of Health reviews the system for the bedroom count, acting for DEP in the watershed.

Tank sizing

The County ties tank size to bedrooms, for example 1,000 gallons for three and 1,250 for four.

Well location

Separation from the new field and from neighbors’ systems.

Radon

Putnam is in EPA’s highest radon zone, so we plan a passive vent that can be activated.

Energy code

Climate Zone 5A insulation levels designed in from the start.

From Raw Land to Keys

1. Lot walk

Wetland flags, streams, rock and likely septic areas located on site.

2. Testing and design

Soil tests, septic design and a house placed inside the limits.

3. Approvals

County Health, any DEP permits, and Town or Village building permits.

4. Teardown if needed

Asbestos survey for older houses and utility disconnects.

5. Construction

Foundation to finishes under one Guardian project manager.

Brewster New Home FAQs

How close to a stream or reservoir can a septic field be in Brewster?

Under New York City’s watershed regulations, no part of a new absorption field may be within 100 feet of a watercourse or wetland, or within 300 feet of a reservoir, reservoir stem or controlled lake. With several City reservoirs partly or wholly in the Town of Southeast, those distances often decide where a house can go.

Does New York City review our septic design?

The Putnam County Department of Health reviews and approves new septic systems in the watershed on behalf of New York City DEP under a delegation agreement, so the application goes to the County. Other parts of a project, such as stormwater, can still need DEP approval.

When is a DEP stormwater permit needed for a single house?

An Individual Residential Stormwater Permit is needed when a house is proposed within 100 feet of a perennial stream or a State-designated wetland on a lot that isn’t part of a newer subdivision. Paved driveways within 50 feet of an intermittent stream or wetland, or 100 feet of a perennial stream, can also need one. In subdivisions approved since October 1995, a house can’t be built within 100 feet of a perennial stream at all.

Which building department handles a new house?

Most Brewster-addressed lots are in the Town of Southeast, whose Building Department is at 1 Main Street, 845-279-2123. Lots inside the Village of Brewster go to the Village Building Department at 50 Main Street. We confirm which from the tax map.

We also build in Carmel, North Salem and Somers.

Own Land Near Brewster?

Send us the address or tax map number. We’ll walk the lot, check the watershed distances and send a written estimate.

Guardian Remodeling Corp · 143 Lake Shore Dr W, Carmel, NY 10512 · 914-912-0385 · Frank@guardianremodelingcorp.com