Prior to occupying any commercial space within any building
in the Town of Ellicott, a change in commercial occupant permit must
be applied for and approved by the Building Department. If you are
proposing a new store or business within the Town of Ellicott, whether
it involves a purchase or lease of a storefront, commercial space,
or portion of an existing building, plans must be presented to the
Building Department for the utilization of such commercial space/building.
Plans are required even if there are no proposed alterations or renovations.
A permit and plan requirement is necessary so that the Building Department
can confirm that the proposed business is permitted under the Zoning
Law and that the intended use of the space/building complies with
the Existing Building Code of New York State.
To obtain a certificate of occupancy for an existing building
or tenant space, the following steps must be followed:
A. No physical changes to the building or tenant space are planned:
(1) If the new use of the space is the same as the previous use:
(a)
Provide a letter that describes the nature of the proposed use
(restaurant, retail store, etc.).
(b)
Indicate hours of operation.
(c)
Indicate number of employees.
(d)
Provide a floor plan of the space with dimensions, etc.
(e)
Pay the applicable fee for the inspections ($1 per 100 square
feet; minimum of $60/maximum of $350).
(2) If the new use is not the same as the previous use, provide the information
as listed above, and provide a code analysis for the change of the
use that indicates compliance with the provisions of either the Building
Code of New York State or the Existing Building Code of New York State,
whichever is most appropriate. The code analysis must be prepared
by an architect or professional engineer licensed in New York State.
Note: Before an updated certificate of occupancy can be issued,
the Building Inspector and an electrical inspector must inspect the
premises, and any deficiencies that are found must be corrected.
B. Physical changes to the building or tenant space are planned: If
changes to the space are planned, a building permit must be obtained.
A certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion/compliance
will be issued as part of the normal permit process.
Note: A separate permit is required for any signs.