Home Additions in Kent, NY

Westchester & Putnam Home Addition Service Serving Kent

Additions for homes in Kent Lakes, Kent Cliffs, Lake Carmel and the rest of the Town of Kent, sized to the zoning, the septic and the water nearby. A Putnam County contractor since 1980.

Two Kinds of Kent Lots

Kent has two very different kinds of lots. Around Lake Carmel and the other lake communities, houses sit on small lots zoned R-10, built up from 1930s cottages. Elsewhere, in Kent Cliffs, along the reservoirs on the western side and on the back roads toward Putnam Valley, houses are on R-40 and R-80 lots of an acre or more, with wells, septic systems and lots of rock.

An addition that works on one rarely works on the other. On an R-10 lot, the 8-foot side setback usually means going up. On a larger lot, there’s room to build out, but septic location, ledge, slopes and nearby wetlands decide where.

Kent Rules Every Addition Has to Meet

Stamped plans

Plans sealed by an architect or engineer for work over $20,000.

Board of Health

Putnam County approval before any bedroom is added to a septic house.

Water nearby

Planning Board review for work within 100 feet of a lake, stream or wetland.

Earthwork

Planning Board review if more than 5,000 sq ft is disturbed or more than 100 cubic yards is moved.

Licensing

Putnam County licenses for the contractor and trades, with electrical permits through County Consumer Affairs.

Undersized lots

Building on a vacant lot below the minimum size needs a ZBA variance.

Additions We Build in Kent

Second stories and raised roofs for lake-area houses that can’t spread sideways.
Family room and kitchen extensions on larger lots, often with a deck or walkout below.
Primary suites on one level, useful for aging in place.
Attached garages with storage or a mudroom, keeping accessory-building limits in mind.

Because the Town lies in the New York City watershed, we put erosion controls in place before excavation and keep equipment off the septic field. A Guardian project manager supervises every trade, and our workmanship warranty is one year.

Kent Home Addition FAQs

What setbacks apply to an addition in Kent?

It depends on the zone. In R-10, the small-lot district common around the lakes, the setbacks are 15 feet front, 20 feet rear and 8 feet on the sides. In the larger-lot R-40 and R-80 districts, they’re 40 feet front, 50 feet rear and 20 feet on the sides.

Can we put a room or apartment over a detached garage?

Not without approvals. Kent doesn’t allow living space over a detached garage unless the Planning Board, Zoning and the Board of Health have all approved it. Accessory buildings are also limited to 15 feet high in R-10 and 20 feet elsewhere.

When does an addition go to the Planning Board?

When the work is within 100 feet of a lake, stream or wetland, or when it disturbs more than 5,000 square feet of soil or moves more than 100 cubic yards. Planning Board approval comes before the building permit.

How long does a Kent building permit take?

Once a complete application is in, the Town has generally quoted about two to three weeks for review. Planning Board, ZBA or Board of Health steps add time, which is why we identify them first.

More Putnam County Pages

We also build additions in Mahopac, Brewster and Carmel.

Adding On in Kent?

Tell us about the house and the lot. We’ll check the zone and the septic and send a written estimate.

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