Moving or Starting a Business in Potsdam

Code of the Village of Potsdam, New York

FAQs:

St. Lawrence County Planning Board Referral Fee Schedule Information – Effective January 1, 2013
At the direction of the County Board of Legislators, the County Planning Office will begin charging applicants of 239m and 239n reviews. The fee schedule is broken into two categories, residential and commercial. Institutional and industrial uses will fall into the commercial category. Local government applications (comprehensive plan reviews, town land subdivisions, etc.) are exempt. Residential: $25 for all area variances, subdivisions of less than 5 lots, and site plan reviews. $75 for all use variances, special use permits and subdivisions of 5-9 lots. $150 for subdivisions of 10 lots or more. Commercial (including institutional and industrial): $75 for all area variances, use variances, site plans and special use permits for projects less than 5,000 gross square feet. $150 for all area variances, use variances, site plans and special use permits for projects between 5,000 and 9,999 gross square feet. $150 plus $50 per each additional 5,000 square feet for all area variances, use variances, site plans, and special use permits for project over 10,000 gross square feet. (Example: the cost of a permit for a 50,000 square foot building would be $150 +($50 X 8) = $550.

The Code Enforcement Office will determine if the application needs to be reviewed by the County. The Village of Potsdam will arrange for the referral to St. Lawrence County Planning Board. A separate check is required, made payable to St. Lawrence County Planning Board and should be submitted along with applications to the Village of Potsdam. See map below under Documents titled St. Lawrence County Village of Potsdam Referral Map.

RENTAL INSPECTION FEES:

A. Initial Inspection $25.00 Per Unit

B. First Re-Inspection Free

C. 2nd Re-Inspection $75.00 Per Unit

D. 3rd· Re-Inspection $300.00 Per Unit

E. 4th Re-Inspection $1,500.00 Per Unit

*One reschedule is allowed at no cost

DOCUMENTS

Planning Board Application (PDF – 208.3 KB) Use this form to apply for a special use from the Planning Board. Usually the Code Enforcement Officer will refer you to this application. $50 application fee.

Application to the Zoning Board of Appeals (PDF – 627.2 KB) Use this form to apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for any kind of variance such as an area or use variance, or to apply for an appeal from a formal decision made by the Code Enforcement, Planning Board, or Village Board. For additional information contact the Code Enforcement Office. $50 application fee.

Sign Permit Application (PDF – 80.8 KB) Use this form to apply for permanent signs within the Village of Potsdam. $50 application fee.

Site Plan Application (PDF – 117.2 KB) Use this form to apply for site plan review from the Planning Board. Instructions/requirements included. $50 application fee.

Temporary Banner/Sign Permit Application (PDF – 120.5 KB) Use this form to apply for a temporary banner/sign permit. The Village Code allows banners in three week increments for $20; 5 3-week increments are allowed in any calendar year.

Subdivision Application (PDF – 443.4 KB) Use this form to apply for a minor or major subdivision of your property. Combining two or more properties into one is also considered a subdivision. Please call the Code Enforcement Office for more information. $40 application fee.

Application For Rental Housing Permit (PDF – 170.8 KB) This form is for any property owner who wants to rent their dwelling unit(s). Instructions included. Per unit inspection fee is required upon permit issuance and every three years thereafter.

Property Registration Form (PDF – 179.3 KB) This form is used for all properties to register dwellings as rental or non-rental. Instructions included. $25 registration fee for rental properties; $0 for owner-occupied single family dwelling units.

St. Lawrence County Village of Potsdam Referral Map (PDF – 109.0 KB) Projects (site plans, variances, signs, etc.) that will need a review by the St. Lawrence County Planning Board. Referral required if project is located within 500′ of: A county, village or town boundary Existing or proposed county or state park or other recreation area Existing or proposed county or state road or right of way Existing or proposed right of way of any county stream or drainage channel County or state owned land that contains a public facility The boundary of a farm operation in an agricultural district.

Permit, Occupancy, Application Fee Schedule (PDF – 60.9 KB) Full listing of all fees related to codes enforcement.

Building Permit Application (PDF – 456.2 KB)

 

Support for Development Efforts 

Educational institutions and government agencies at all levels are interested in and supportive of economic development in the County. Some of these include:

The Village of Potsdam Loan options: These include micro-enterprise loans to businesses with five or fewer employees (including the owner). 

St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (IDA): The IDA is a public benefit corporation created under New York State General Municipal Law. Its mission is to promote, encourage, attract, and develop job opportunities and economically sound commerce and industry in St. Lawrence County. The IDA can assist in aligning and accessing the financial, technical, and informational resources needed for business start-up or expansion. 

CITEC Business Solutions: CITEC offers training and consulting services to help businesses grow. CITEC works mostly with small and medium manufacturers across the seven-county North Country region but can also work with most types of organizations. Its primary areas of focus include leadership development, safety, and business development. 

SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – The SBDC offers free direct counseling and a wide range of management and technical assistance services. It helps start-ups develop a business plan, assists existing businesses prepare to expand and offers resources for industry-specific topics.

Adirondack Economic Development Corporation: The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation provides free business planning, technical assistance, classroom training, and access to commercial loan funds.

Employment Opportunities

  1. One Stop Career Center  Phone: (315) 386-3276  Address: Suite 8, 80 State Highway 310 Canton, New York 13617
  2. Penski, Inc. Staffing, Payroll & Training Services Phone: (315) 265-8860  Address: 50 Market Street Potsdam, NY 13676
  3. Persone Staffing  Phone: 315.274.WORK (9675)  Address: Suite 2205,  65 Main St. Peyton Hall Potsdam NY 13676
  4. Seaway Help Wanted Job
  5. New York State Department of Labor