Frequently Asked Questions

Topics:
General
Parking
Violations
Building
Housing
Taxes
Board of Trustees

General
What are the Village's hours of operation at the Village Hall?
The Village Hall is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.

What are the various departments in the Village of Great Neck Plaza?
Mayor's Office, Village Clerk-Treasurer, Housing Department, Building Department, Department of Public Works, Code Enforcement and Village Justice Court

How many employee's does the Village of Great Neck Plaza have?
The Village generally maintains a staff of approximately 30 employees; however, we hire seasonal help in the summer to assist in painting, maintenance work and landscaping which are heavy activities at this time of year.

I have a complaint or concern regarding a Village facility or service.  How can I get a response?
You should write a letter to the attention of the Mayor, Village of Great Neck Plaza, P.O. Box 440, Great Neck, NY 11022.  You can also call the Village Hall at (516) 482-4500 and ask to speak with the Mayor's Office.

How do I obtain a Great Neck Park District "Park Card"?
Residents of the Village of Great Neck Plaza are part of the Great Neck Park District and are encourage to obtain a “Park Card” to enable you to take advantage of all of Park District’s parks, events and activities.  Please call the Great Neck House at (516) 482-0355 for registration department hours, times and required information for obtaining a Park Card. 

Obtaining a Park Card (New Applicants):
Registration department staff will verify residency using various approved software and listings available.

If your name and correct address appear in these listings you will need to show an official photo ID and one piece of official mail.

If you do not have official photo ID. You must show  two pieces of official mail.

If your name does not appear on one of the approved listings:
You must show official photo ID and two pieces of official mail.

If you do not have official photo ID you still must provide two pieces of official mail and your park card will be mailed to the address on file.

For further information, visit the Great Neck Park District’s website at: www.greatneckparks.org

Parking
What if the meter reads "DEAD" or “OUT OF ORDER,” can I still park at this space?
Whenever you encounter a meter that is not properly functioning, it is always best to avoid that spot and find a parking spot with a meter that is working properly. However, if you are not able to find another spot then you may park your vehicle at a meter that registers “Dead” or “Out of Order,” in our short-term metered lots (4 hours, 2 hours, or less), if you first call and notify the Village and park not longer than the designated time limit. If your meter reads "Fail" that does not mean that the meter is broken. It means that your quarter did not register and you should wait a minute until the meter resets and insert another quarter. Note: Please call Village Hall, Front Desk, at 482-4500 to report a malfunctioning parking meter so we can investigate it and fix the meter.

When is parking in the two municipal garages free?
Parking in the Gussack Plaza and Maple Garages is FREE in all spaces (both metered and permit spaces) weekdays from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.  It is free all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Who is eligible to obtain permits to park in the Plaza Centre and Maple Drive Garages?
Employers and employees who commute to work in the Village of Great Neck Plaza are eligible to receive a Commercial Parking Permit. Residents of multiple dwellings in the Village of Great Neck Plaza are eligible to receive a Residential Parking Permit, one per household on a limited basis.    
Cost:  Currently $90.00 per quarter (3 months).

Where can seasonal and part time workers park for a full day?
The Village has created 30 long term parking meters on the rooftop of the Gussack Plaza Garage.  Please come in to the Village Hall during permit hours to purchase a $5 parking permit.  You will then be able to park at one of the 10 hour meters but you will have to deposit quarters into the meters for the amount of time that you want to park.

What are the hours to renew garage permits?
9:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What is a street permit and who is eligible to obtain one?
Street parking permits are issued only to residents of multiple dwellings within the Village of Great Neck Plaza.  This permit exempts you from the three hour parking limit between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the un-metered streets in the Village of Great Neck Plaza.  Please note that this permit does not exempt you from the street cleaning regulations or any other regulation on our streets, lots or garages.  We also issue special street parking permits to residents of single-family homes.  These permits are slightly different, so please contact the Village Hall at (516) 482-4500 for further information.

What are the hours to renew street permits?
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What do I need to bring to renew my street permit?
The applicant's current car registration and valid driver's license.  If the Village address is not on the license and registration, then two proofs of residency must be shown (signed lease or contract, current utility bill or a major credit card statement).  The cost for the permit is $5.00.

Where can I park my car when I am on vacation?
Your car can be parked on the street if you have a valid street parking permit.  Try to get a neighbor to move your car on the street cleaning day, which is indicated on a street sign where you park your car.  In special situations, the Village can issue temporary permits.  Please call the Village at (516) 482-4500 for more information.

Do I have to move my car for street cleaning when it snows?
Alternate street parking will be suspended in the Village of Great Neck Plaza for a period of 24 hours after the cessation of a snow storm of at least 4 inches of snow, as published by the National Weather Service.

How do I obtain a handicapped parking permit or license plate?
A handicapped parking permit may be obtained for persons with a permanent or temporary disability.  You do not have to be a driver.  A registered owner of a vehicle may apply to get a handicapped parking permit issued in the name of the person with a disability regardless of the age; e.g. children with a qualifying disability, legally blind, etc.  Handicapped parking permits are obtained from the Nassau County Office of the Physically Challenged located at 60 Charles Lindberg Boulevard, Uniondale, NY  11553 or by mail, telephone their offices at (516) 227-7399.  Application forms are available for downloading on their website at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OPC/index.html.  Do NOT send your application or contact DMV for a handicapped parking permit. 

The Department of Motor Vehicles does not issue handicapped parking permits.  Only contact DMV is you are applying for and qualify for a special disabled license plate; which requires you to show proof of a qualifying permanent disability. You and your healthcare provider can complete the application form MV-664.1. For further information, please call the DMV toll-at 1-718-477-4820 or visit the DMV’s website FAQ’s at: www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm.

Violations
Where and when can I pay for parking violations?
All summonses can be paid at the front desk of the Village Hall Monday-Friday, 9am- 4:00 p.m.  Summonses can also be paid on court nights, which are regularly held on Tuesday nights or by mail.  Make checks payable to Village of Great Neck Plaza, Justice Court. P.O. Box 440, Great Neck, NY  11022.

I received a moving violation.  How do I pay it?
In order to pay for a moving violation, you first must enter a plea of guilty.  You may do so either by mail (sign part "A" on the back of you summons and return it to the Justice Court) or in person on your scheduled court date, as indicated on your summons. Please click here to see the appropriate fine due. 

I want to plead not guilty.  How do I do that?
You can plead not guilty in court before the Judge.  You can plead by mail on moving violations by signing part "B" on the back of the summons and returning it to the Justice Court.  Not guilty pleas require that you appear for a trial at a later date.

How long do I have to answer a summons?
All summonses issued have a returnable court date on them.  You must enter a plea by that date or the summons will accrue late penalties.

I was in my car.  Why did I get a Double Parking summons?
It does not matter if you are in your car or not.  It does not matter if your car is running or not.  NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law sets the standards and definitions for double parking, which may differ from what you may consider double parking.  Double parking jeopardizes lives and/or results in serious personal injury.  By parking in the roadway, other vehicles are forced to move around your vehicle, possibly towards oncoming traffic, creating an extremely hazardous condition for motorists and pedestrians.

Why can't I "feed the meter"?
Short term on-street parking provides for convenient access for customers to neighboring business and services.  Time limitations at meters ensure convenience and turnover.  If you surpass the time limitation at a meter it is considered meter feeding and subject to an overtime violation.

What is an overtime violation?
An overtime violation is issued because you surpassed the time limitation at the meter on the street or in the lots and garages.  The time limitations at the street meters are two hours.  In the lots and garages, you can park at a meter for four hours.

Why are the street cleaning regulations enforced in the winter?
To clear the street for proper snow removal.

What are the dog leash and clean-up regulations?
Chapter 73 of the Village of Great Neck Plaza Code, regulates that dogs must be leashed at all times and you must clean-up after your dog.  The penalty for violation of this chapter has a current maximum fine of $250.00.

Building
The garbage did not get picked up today, who can take care of this?
Please contact Jamaica Ash directly at (516) 333-2211 because they have specific questions that will need to be answered to figure out why the garbage did not get picked up.  In addition, please contact the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 so we may monitor any complaints.

Is it my responsibility to fix the sidewalk in front of my property?
Yes.  The Village Code (Section 185-35) places the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the sidewalk on the adjoining property owner.

I received a Notice of Violation for my sidewalk.  What must I do?
If you have received a Notice of Violation from the Village, you must make satisfactory repairs.  If the repairs are not done on a timely basis by the property owner, the Village will undertake the necessary repairs and assess these costs as a lien onto the individual property owner's taxes. Please contact the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 for restoration specifications.

I am a licensed contractor with the County/City; do I need a separate license with the Village of Great Neck Plaza?
No, as long as you are licensed with the Town of North Hempstead or Nassau County.

What are the allowed hours of construction?
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  You are not permitted to perform any work on Sunday.

Why do I need a permit to do construction work?
So the Village can maintain that such work is being performed in a safe and legal manner according to regulations.

What are the fees for construction permits?
Permit fees vary depending on the extent and length of work.  Call the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 for exact fees.

If I see a street light outage, what should I do?
Please make a note of the location where you noticed the light outage and contact the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500.  These can be reported at night as well by leaving a voice mail message in the general mailbox.

I need a copy of a building plan or file.  Where should I go and what should I do?
You must come to the Village Building Department with your request and we will copy a plan or file for a minimal fee.

Do I need a permit to display a sign in my store window?
Most likely.  Please contact the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 for specifications on the Village's sign ordinance.

Which roads are County roads in the Village of Great Neck Plaza?
Grace Avenue, Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck Road and Middle Neck Road are under the jurisdiction of Nassau County.

Housing
What can I do if I do not get enough heat in my apartment?
First, contact your superintendent, landlord or management company.  If there is no response, you may then contact the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 to verify a violation has occurred.  Heating should be maintained at 70F (three feet from the window, 5 feet up from the floor) when the outside temperature is below 55F.

What can I do if my landlord does not fix the ceiling from water damage?
First, contact your landlord or management company.  If there is no response, write a letter and send it via certified mail to formally put them on notice.  You may then contact the Village Housing Commissioner at (516) 482-4500, to which you can then fill out a formal NYS complaint form.

What can I do about excessive noise?
After 11:00 p.m., contact the source of noise and let them know in a kindly manner that the noise is bothersome. If they do not comply with your request, write a letter and send it certified mail to your landlord or management company documenting the disturbance.  You should also send a copy to the Village Building Department at (516) 482-4500 so we can monitor such complaints.

What can I do if my landlord has cut back on services?
Write a letter and send it via certified mail to your landlord or management company.  If you feel that you are now being overcharged in rent for lack of services, the forms for the NYS Division of Housing & Community Renewal (DHCR) are available for you to fill out at the Village Hall.  Please contact the Village Housing Commissioner at (516) 482-4500.

What can I do about Major Capital Improvements (MCI’s)?
When you receive notice of an increase due to an MCI, you may contest the increase within 35 days of the date on the Order.  The form you need to use is called a Petition for Administrative Review (PAR).  You may obtain these forms through the Village Housing Commissioner.  In order to qualify for a rent increase, the MCI (Windows, Roofing, Boilers, etc.) must meet the depreciation standards of the Internal Revenue Code other than for ordinary repairs and meet the requirements set forth in the Division of Housing and Community Renewal's useful life schedule.

Taxes
What is the STAR exemption and where do I apply for it?
STAR is the New York state school tax relief program that provides an exemption from school property taxes for owner-occupied primary residences. There are two exemptions offered: (1) Basic STAR exemption is granted to all primary residence homeowners regardless of age or income.  (2) Enhanced STAR exemption is granted to persons 65 years of age or older with a maximum annual income of $60,000.  The Village does not offer this exemption.  For an application for the STAR exemption, call the Nassau County Department of Assessment at (516) 571-1500.  You may also access Nassau County's website for further information at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Assessor/

Does the Village offer a real property tax exemption for veterans?
Yes, the Village offers the "eligible funds" veterans exemption to all homeowners, including those who own shares in cooperative apartments.  The eligible funds exemption provides a partial exemption from real property taxation where property owned by a veteran has been purchased with pension funds or insurance monies received by the United States or New York State in recognition of the veteran's military service.  If you qualify you may receive an exemption up to a maximum of $5,000.  This is applied to the assessed value of your property.  However, this exemption is applicable to general municipal taxes, but not to school taxes or special assessments.  For more information or to receive an application, please call the Village Clerk at (516) 482-4500.

Does the Village offer a real property tax exemption for senior citizens?
Yes, however, unlike the veterans exemption it does not include shareholders of cooperative apartments.  The senior citizen tax exemption is available to those residents who own real property and are 65 years old or older with a maximum annual income of $19,500 or less.  If eligible, the assessed value of your residential property is reduced by 50%. For more information or to receive an application, please call the Village Clerk at (516) 482-4500.

Board of Trustees
When is the Village election held?
The Village holds its annual election on the third Tuesday of March.  The elected offices for the Village and the terms for each are as follows: Mayor (two years), Trustees (two years), and Village Justice (four years).

Do I need to register with the Village to vote in the Village election?
No. As long as you are a resident of Great Neck Plaza and are registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections, you may vote in a Village election.  However, you must be registered no later than 25 days before the election.

Can I vote by absentee ballot in a Village election?
Yes, under certain circumstances such as illness, vacation, and military service. For information or to get an application for an absentee, please call the Village Clerk at (516) 482-4500.

When does the Village's fiscal year start?
The Village fiscal year begins March 1 and ends February 28 or 29 depending if it's a leap year.

Can anyone attend a Board of Trustees meeting?
Yes, these meetings are open to the public.  However, if there is an issue you would like to discuss with the Board of Trustees, you should contact the Village Clerk at (516) 482-4500 to be put on the agenda as a "Request to be heard" item, which are usually taken after noticed public hearings or other continued matters.  The Board of Trustees convenes on the first and third Wednesday of each month.