The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080
    Email:
    [email protected]

    Kingston News

    10/5/2023 - Mayor Noble Launches Development Guide and Information Hub for New Zoning Code

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 5, 2023

     

    Mayor Noble Launches Development Guide and Information Hub for New Zoning Code

    Zoning Code Encourages Responsible Development

     

     

    KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston has created an informational hub for the new zoning code. To make it easier for Kingston residents to understand and use the new zoning code, the hub includes a 30-page development guide, an interactive zoning map, and an easy-to-use online version of the zoning code.

    The City of Kingston’s new zoning code, which was passed in August 2023, is a form-based code that regulates the location, design, alteration, occupancy, and use of structures and the use of land. It is designed to make it easier to develop, while protecting what makes Kingston unique.

    Mayor Noble said, “Our new zoning code is designed to spur housing development and this 30-page development guide, the first ever produced by the City, offers a step-by-step approach that will help developments move through the City’s processes much more efficiently.”

    “Zoning fundamentally impacts the economic and housing opportunities that Kingston residents have. That’s why I am so excited by the many opportunities that the new code offers, particularly for the development of new housing throughout the City. I look forward to continuing to develop resources and training opportunities so that everyone can benefit from the new form-based code,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives.

    Those resources, such as the development guide, are designed to help residents and small-scale developers understand and use Kingston’s form based code. While the code itself explicitly details the zoning requirements, the guide aims to clarify the code’s intent and the best ways to use it. It outlines Kingston’s context and goals, the components of the code, and how to build in the City.

    In a form-based code, each parcel in the City is designated as a transect or special district. The code divides Kingston into 5 transects that range from the least developed (T1) to the most developed (T5). Special districts are designed to capture specific and/or existing parts of the city.

    In addition to transect standards, a form-based code also has general standards that control characteristics, form, design standards, and incentives. Additional standards outline rules for specific parts of development like street design, usable open space, and large sites. To understand what this means, residents can begin by searching for a parcel in the interactive zoning map and looking at the property details on the left side of the page.

    For more definitions, processes, and tips, see the City’s development guide. Additional materials and resources can also be found on the right-hand side in the "resources" section of this page.

    As part of this rollout, the City of Kingston will do a citywide mailing informing residents that the new zoning code was adopted by the Common Council and is now in effect.

    The zoning code resource page can be found at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.

    For the background on the zoning code adoption and public engagement process, visit www.engagekingston.com/kingston-forward-archive. 

     

     
    Archives

    Copyright © 2025 City of Kingston, NY. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Powered By QScend Technologies, Inc.
    Contact  |  Sitemap