[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of East Hampton 10-17-1975 by L.L. No. 4-1975 (Ch. 11 of the 1971 Code); amended in its entirety 2-7-2025 by L.L. No. 3-2025. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 11-21-2025 by L.L. No. 20-2025]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspector of the Village of East Hampton or, in the event the Village of East Hampton shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, the Building and Zoning Administrator of the Town of East Hampton.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, remodeling, alteration, conversion, modernization, improvement or addition to residential property, including but not limited to alarm systems, awnings, basements, bathrooms, cabinetmaking, carpentry, central vacuum cleaning, cesspools, dormers, driveways, extensions, exterminating, fencing, flagpoles, flooring, fumigation, garages, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, kitchens, masonry, railing, roofing, septic tanks, siding, sprinklers, storms and screens, swimming pools, tennis courts, termite control, tile installers, waterproofing and weatherproofing, but not including:
A. 
The construction of a new home or work done by a contractor in compliance with a guaranty of completion on new residential property.
B. 
The sale of goods by a seller who neither arranges to perform nor performs directly or indirectly any work or labor in connection with the installation or application of the goods.
C. 
Improvements to residences owned or controlled by any government subdivision.
D. 
The painting or decorating of residential property.
E. 
The landscaping of residential property.
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT
An oral or written agreement between a home improvement contractor and an owner for the performance of a home improvement, and includes all labor, services and materials to be furnished and performed thereunder.
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
A person who conducts or engages in a home improvement business and who performs or undertakes or agrees to perform or undertake a home improvement.
LICENSING REVIEW BOARD
The Board formed and composed pursuant to § 107-8, unless the Village of East Hampton shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, in which case "Licensing Review Board" shall mean the Licensing Review Board of the Town of East Hampton.
OWNER
Any owner of residential property, tenant or any other person who orders, contracts for or purchases the service of a home improvement contractor, or the person entitled to performance of the work of a home improvement contractor pursuant to a home improvement contract.
PERSON
An individual, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity.
PLACE OF BUSINESS
Any shop, residence, place or premises from which a home improvement business is transacted.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
One- or two-family houses and property associated therewith.
VILLAGE BOARD
The Village of East Hampton Board of Trustees, unless the said Village shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, in which case "Village Board" shall mean the Town Board of the Town of East Hampton.
VILLAGE CLERK
The Village Clerk of the Village of East Hampton, unless the said Village shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, in which case "Village Clerk" shall mean the Clerk of the Town of East Hampton.
No person shall conduct or engage in any home improvement business without first obtaining and maintaining in effect at all times a license therefor from the Building Inspector, as hereinafter provided.
No license shall be required under this chapter in the following instances:
A. 
An individual who performs labor or services for a licensed home improvement contractor for wages or salary.
B. 
A member or partner of a firm, partnership or other entity which is a licensed home improvement contractor, who performs labor or services for such licensed home improvement contractor.
C. 
A stockholder or officer of a corporation which is a licensed home improvement contractor, who performs labor or services for such licensed home improvement contractor.
D. 
A plumber, electrician, architect, professional engineer or any other person who is required by state law to attain standards of competency or experience as a prerequisite to engaging in such craft or profession and who is acting exclusively within the scope of the craft or profession for which he is currently licensed.
E. 
Any home improvement where the aggregate contract price for all labor, materials and other items is less than $500. This exclusion does not apply where the work is only part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or different home improvement contractors, or in which a division of the operation is made in contracts or amounts less than $500 for the purpose of evasion of this chapter or otherwise.
A. 
A fee of $10 shall be paid to the Village of East Hampton or, in the event the Village of East Hampton shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, to the Town of East Hampton, upon the filing of each application for a license, for the purpose of defraying expenses incidental to the processing of said application and the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. The same fee shall be payable upon applications for renewals.
B. 
Any license issued hereunder shall expire one year after its date of issuance, unless revoked as hereinafter provided.
C. 
Issuance of a license shall create no presumption that the license is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter or that the licensee is entitled to the license.
D. 
No license issued under this chapter shall be transferred or assigned to any person or used by any person other than the licensee to whom it was issued.
E. 
A license issued hereunder may not be construed to authorize the licensee to perform any work or engage in any kind of business which is reserved to qualified licensees under separate provisions of state law.
F. 
A license issued hereunder shall at all times be posted conspicuously in the place of business of the licensee.
G. 
Every licensee shall, within 10 days after a change of control in ownership, of management, of address or of trade name, notify the Building Inspector of such change in writing.
Applicants for licenses or renewals thereof shall file a written, signed and verified application with the Building Inspector. Where the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be signed and verified by a member or officer thereof. Applications shall set forth the following information:
A. 
The name, trade name and business address of the applicant.
B. 
If the applicant is an individual, his name and residence address; if the applicant is a corporation, the names and residence addresses of the officers thereof; and if the applicant is a firm, partnership or other entity, the names and residence addresses of the members or partners thereof.
C. 
Whether or not there are any outstanding liens or judgments against the applicant.
D. 
Such other reasonable information as the Building Inspector may deem necessary or advisable to facilitate the purposes and enforcement of this chapter, including but not limited to the following:
(1) 
The names and residence addresses of any employees of the applicant.
(2) 
The names and residence addresses of the stockholders and directors of a corporate applicant.
(3) 
Whether or not the applicant or any member, partner, officer, stockholder or employee thereof ever engaged in a home improvement business under another name or for another person, and if so, reasonable information with respect thereto.
(4) 
Information relating to the financial responsibility and character of the applicant.
After the filing of an application for a license or renewal thereof and payment of the required fee, the Building Inspector shall examine the application and make such investigation as he deems necessary or advisable. Upon completion of the same, the Building Inspector shall issue a license unless he finds that the applicant is unfit or undesirable to carry on such home improvement business or is incapable of properly conducting such home improvement business, in which event he shall deny the license.
A. 
The Building Inspector shall notify the applicant of his denial of an application for a license. Service of such notice shall be made personally or by certified mail, addressed to the address set forth in the application for a license. Such notice shall be in writing and shall specify the ground or grounds for the denial. The notice shall include or be accompanied by a statement that the applicant may request an appeal hearing before the Village Board by filing a written request therefor with the Village Clerk. The Village Clerk shall give the appealing party at least five days' written notice of the time and place of such hearing.
B. 
At the time and place set for the hearing upon the appeal from the determination of the Building Inspector, the Village Board shall give the appealing party and any other interested party a reasonable opportunity to be heard, in order to show cause before said Board why the determination of the Building Inspector should not be upheld. The decision of the Village Board shall be in writing, shall specify the ground or grounds upon which the decision is based and shall be final and conclusive.
A. 
Formation and composition.
(1) 
There is hereby established in and for the Village of East Hampton a Licensing Review Board consisting of either three or five members, as may be determined from time to time by the Village Board, who shall be appointed by the Village Board to serve at the pleasure of the Village Board. In no event shall a member serve for more than two years unless reappointed by the Village Board.
(2) 
The Village Board shall designate one member of the Licensing Review Board to serve as Chairman thereof.
(3) 
A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the Licensing Review Board.
(4) 
Members of the Licensing Review Board shall be residents of the Village and shall serve voluntarily without salary or compensation.
(5) 
At least one member of the Licensing Review Board shall be a home improvement contractor who resides and has his place of business in the Village.
(6) 
In the event the Village shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton pursuant to § 107-11, the Licensing Review Board shall be the Licensing Review Board established by said town.
B. 
Function. It is the function of this Board to hear and determine any complaint or grievance that may be the basis for recommendation to the Village Board for suspension or revocation of a license or that may be the basis for suspension of a license by the Licensing Review Board, upon finding that the licensee has been guilty of any one of the following:
(1) 
Fraud, misrepresentation or bribery in securing license.
(2) 
The making of any false statement as to any material matter in any application for a license.
(3) 
The business transactions of the home improvement contractor have been or are marked by a practice of failure to timely perform or complete its contracts or the manipulation of assets or accounts, or by fraud or bad faith, or is marked by an unwholesome method or practice of solicitation of business from owners.
(4) 
The person or the management personnel of the home improvement contractor are untrustworthy or not of good character.
(5) 
Failure to display the license as provided in this chapter.
(6) 
Failure to comply with any demand or requirement lawfully made by those charged with administering and enforcing this chapter.
(7) 
An agent or employee of a licensee has been guilty of an act of omission, fraud or misrepresentation and the licensee has approved or had knowledge thereof.
(8) 
Violation of any provision of this chapter.
(9) 
Abandonment of or willful failure to perform, without justification, any home improvement contract or project engaged in or undertaken by a home improvement contractor; or willful deviation from or disregard of plans or specifications in any material respect without the consent of the owner and, where required, from the Building Inspector.
(10) 
Making a substantial misrepresentation in the solicitation or procurement of a home improvement contract, or making any false promise of a character likely to influence, persuade or induce.
(11) 
Any fraud in the execution of, or in the material alteration of, any contract, mortgage, promissory note or other document incident to a home improvement transaction.
(12) 
Preparing or accepting any mortgage, promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness upon the obligation of a home improvement transaction with knowledge that it recites a greater monetary obligation than the agreed consideration for the home improvement work.
(13) 
Directly or indirectly publishing any advertisement relating to home improvements which contains an assertion, representation or statement which is false, deceptive or misleading, provided that any advertisement which is subject to and complies with the then existing rules, regulations or guides of the Federal Trade Commission shall not be deemed false, deceptive or misleading; or by any means advertising or purporting to offer the general public any home improvement work with the intent not to accept contracts for the particular work or at the price which is advertised or offered to the public.
(14) 
Willful or deliberate disregard and violation of the building, sanitary, fire and health laws of the Village, county or state.
(15) 
Failure to notify the Building Inspector of any change or control in ownership, management or business name or location.
(16) 
Conducting a home improvement business in any name other than the one in which the home improvement contractor is licensed.
C. 
Procedure.
(1) 
The Licensing Review Board shall have the right to determine whether or not it will take jurisdiction of any complaint submitted to it. In the event it shall deny jurisdiction, such determination shall be in writing, and a copy shall be mailed to the complainant.
(2) 
If the Licensing Review Board upon reasonable cause should believe that any licensee has violated any of the provisions of this chapter, such Board shall have the power to make such investigation as it shall deem necessary or advisable.
(3) 
There shall be no suspension of a license or recommendation that a license be suspended or revoked until after a hearing is had before the Licensing Review Board upon written notice to the licensee of at least 10 days. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the hearing and the grounds which will be the subject of the hearing, and it shall state that the purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the license should be suspended and whether a recommendation of suspension or revocation should be made to the Village Board. Such notice shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the place of business of the licensee. The licensee and any other interested party shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard. A stenographic record of the hearing may be taken and preserved. The determination or recommendation of the Licensing Review Board shall be in writing and shall specify the ground or grounds upon which it is based.
(4) 
The Licensing Review Board shall maintain records and files of any and all hearings held by it.
D. 
Powers.
(1) 
The Licensing Review Board shall have the power to suspend a license for a period not exceeding 30 days if it determines that the licensee has been guilty of any act or circumstances set forth in § 107-8B of this chapter. Any such determination of suspension shall be final and conclusive. Upon making such a determination of suspension, such Board shall direct the Building Inspector to notify the licensee that his license is suspended. Such notice shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the place of business of the licensee, and such licensee shall immediately surrender his license to the Building Inspector.
(2) 
The Licensing Review Board shall have the power to recommend to the Village Board that a license be suspended or revoked by the Village Board.
(3) 
In lieu of a suspension or a recommendation to the Village Board, the Licensing Review Board may accept a written assurance of a compromise between the parties.
A. 
The Village Board shall have the power to revoke a license if it determines, after a public hearing as hereinafter provided, that the licensee is unfit or undesirable to carry on the home improvement business or is incapable of properly conducting such home improvement business. The Village Board shall have the power to suspend a license if it determines, after a public hearing as hereinafter provided, that the licensee has been guilty of any act or circumstances set forth in § 107-8B of this chapter.
B. 
Hearing.
(1) 
If the Village Board determines to hold such a hearing, it shall notify the licensee that a hearing will be held before the Village Board to determine whether his license should be suspended or revoked. Such notice shall specify the time and place of hearing and the ground or grounds for suspension or revocation which will be the subject of the hearing. Such notice shall be in writing, shall be served at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing and shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the place of business of the licensee.
(2) 
At the time and place set for the hearing, the Village Board shall give a licensee and any other interested party reasonable opportunity to be heard. The decision of the Village Board shall be in writing, specify the ground or grounds upon which the decision is based and shall be final and conclusive.
(3) 
If the Village Board determines that the license of the licensee should be suspended or revoked, the Village Board shall direct the Building Inspector to notify the licensee that his license is suspended or revoked. Such notice shall be served personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the place of business of the licensee. A licensee shall immediately surrender his license to the Building Inspector upon its suspension or revocation by the Village Board.
A. 
Any person who shall conduct or engage in any home improvement business without having obtained a license therefor, in violation of this chapter, or who shall conduct or engage in any home improvement business while his license is suspended or revoked, in violation of this chapter, shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 for each and every violation.
B. 
Each and every home improvement contract entered into or undertaken or performed by a home improvement contractor without having obtained or maintained in effect a license therefor, in violation of this chapter, shall be deemed a separate violation of this chapter.
The Village of East Hampton at its option may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Town of East Hampton for performance by the Town of East Hampton of the functions, powers and duties relating to administration and enforcement of this chapter requiring a license in order to conduct or engage in home improvement business in the Village of East Hampton. Such cooperative agreements may provide, among other things, that the Town of East Hampton Building and Zoning Administrator shall serve as the licensing officer under this chapter, that the Licensing Review Board of the Town of East Hampton shall serve as the Licensing Review Board under this chapter, that the Town Board of the Town of East Hampton shall serve as the Board designated to hear appeals and to revoke and suspend licenses under such chapter, that application fees under such chapter be paid to the Town of East Hampton and that a license issued by the Town of East Hampton shall serve as the license required under this chapter, so that a licensee will be permitted to engage in the home improvement business in the Village of East Hampton and elsewhere, as provided in § 107-12, by obtaining one license and paying one application fee.
[Amended 11-21-2025 by L.L. No. 20-2025]
A. 
Any home improvement contractor whose principal place of business is located in the Town of East Hampton, Town of Southampton, Town of Riverhead, Town of Shelter Island or Town of Southold, or in any incorporated village within any of the aforesaid towns, and who holds a license issued by such town or village in which his principal place of business is located, permitting him to conduct or engage in the home improvement business, shall be exempt from the license application fee provided for in this chapter and shall be entitled to a license under this chapter without payment of such application fee, upon filing with his application satisfactory proof that s/he meets the foregoing conditions.
B. 
The application fee exemption provided for in § 107-12A of this chapter shall apply only to a home improvement contractor whose principal place of business is located in any of the aforementioned towns or villages which have adopted a local law or ordinance containing a reciprocal provision applicable to home improvement contractors having their principal place of business in the Village of East Hampton.
C. 
Any person engaged as a contractor, subcontractor, electrician, plumber or contractor in any other trade presently regulated by the County of Suffolk or the Town of East Hampton may engage in such business in the Village of East Hampton if he or she is registered in the Village Contractor Registry and holds a valid license from the County of Suffolk or the Town of East Hampton. Upon demand by the Building Inspector such contractor, subcontractor, electrician, plumber or other trade presently regulated by the County of Suffolk or the Town of East Hampton shall exhibit said license to the Building Inspector. Failure to do so shall be a violation, which shall be punishable by a maximum fine not exceeding $250.
[Amended 11-21-2025 by L.L. No. 20-2025]
A. 
No contractor, subcontractor, home improvement contractor, electrician or plumber presently regulated by the County of Suffolk or the Town of East Hampton shall advertise, operate or provide services within the Village of East Hampton unless registered annually pursuant to this chapter in the Village of East Hampton Contractor Registry.
B. 
Registration requirements.
(1) 
Registrants shall submit a completed annual registration form provided by the Village Administrator and pay a nonrefundable annual registration fee of $200 or such other amount as may hereafter be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time.
(2) 
Registrants shall provide proof of comprehensive liability and property insurance in an amount of at least $1,000,000 personal injury/$2,000,000 aggregate and $50,000 property damage, as well as proof of worker's compensation and disability insurance as required by New York State law. Workers compensation insurance, disability insurance and liability insurance (with coverages set by resolution of the Board of Trustees) must be current and certificates of insurance must be filed naming the Village as certificate holder and additional insured as required by the Village.
(3) 
The registration form, at a minimum, shall state that the registrant has read, understands, and agrees to comply with the Village's noise law (Chapter 196) and all other relevant Village laws, rules, regulations and policies. A business entity registrant shall be responsible for all employees understanding the applicable rules and regulations and compliance with the requirements of this chapter and the Village Code.
(4) 
In addition, the registrant shall submit a copy of proof of a valid and current Suffolk County and/or Town of East Hampton license.
(5) 
In addition, if the registrant uses or intends to use regulated chemicals or pesticides, proof of applicable New York State Department of Environmental Conservation certificate must be submitted.
(6) 
Any registrant shall also provide the following information: name of registrant as it appears on the Town of East Hampton and/or Suffolk County license, address, contact person with phone number, vehicle registration, make, and license plate number for each commercial vehicle owned, registered, leased or otherwise to be utilized for contracted for work within the Village.
C. 
When the Village Administrator determines that all requirements have been met, s/he shall issue registration tags/stickers/decals, which must be placed in a conspicuous location as determined by the Village Administrator on each commercial vehicle the registrant uses in the Village. Such tag/sticker/decals shall be visible to any police officer and any inspector, official, officer, or employee of the Village. Failure to do so shall be a violation of this chapter. Each truck, dump truck, van, or other motor vehicle without a registration decal affixed shall be considered a separate violation. The registration tag/sticker/decal shall apply to the vehicle registered to the registrant and is not transferable from one vehicle to another, nor to any other business, person or entity. The registrant shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $10 for each registration tag/sticker/decal issued.
D. 
Registration and the registration tags/stickers/decals granted pursuant to this chapter shall expire not later than the last day in June next following the date of the granting thereof, unless sooner suspended or revoked for cause.
E. 
Failure to register timely.
(1) 
Any contractor, subcontractor, home improvement contractor, electrician or plumber in violation of the registry requirements shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter and, upon conviction, shall be punishable by a fine of no less than $250 and not more than $500 for a first offense; no less than $500 or more than $2,500 for a second offense; and no less than $2,500 or more than $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. The continuation of an offense against the provisions of this chapter shall constitute, for each day the offense is continued, a separate and distinct offense hereunder.
(2) 
In addition, the Board of Trustees may revoke the registration of any contractor, subcontractor, home improvement contractor, electrician or plumber, who violates any requirement of this chapter, or for good cause shown, following written notice with an opportunity to be heard at a public hearing.