A.
Subject to Subsection B below, a building permit is required prior to undertaking any of the following activities:
(1)
Any work which must conform to the Uniform, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, or relocation of any structure or any portion thereof;
(2)
The installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit;
(3)
Construction of any accessory structure;
(4)
Installation of swimming pools where such pools are designed for a water depth of greater than 24 inches (reference Chapter 93, Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs);
(5)
Construction of retaining walls, including such walls which support a surcharge or impound Class I, II or IIIA liquids;
(6)
Replacement of any building equipment whose replacement alters the building equipment's listing or renders it inconsistent with the building equipment's original specifications;
(7)
Repairs to structures, provided that such repairs involve:
(a)
The removal or cutting away of a load-bearing wall, partition, or portion thereof, or of any structural beam or load-bearing component;
(b)
The removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure in a manner which affects egress;
(c)
The enlargement, alteration, replacement or relocation of any building system; or
(d)
The removal from service of all or part of a fire protection system for any period of time.
(8)
Any proposed paving work, including the construction, reconstruction, expansion, or other substantial alteration of any driveway or other paved area used for the parking of motor vehicles, and, for properties zoned other than single-family or two-family residential, any sealing work.
[Amended 7-15-2024 by L.L. No. 5-2024]
B.
Exemptions. The following activities are not subject to the permitting requirements of this chapter:
C.
Applications for building permits. Applications for a building permit shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the Code Enforcement Officer. The application shall be signed by the owner of the property where the work is to be performed or an authorized agent of the owner. The application shall include such information as the Code Enforcement Officer deems sufficient to permit a determination that the intended work complies with all applicable requirements and shall be accompanied by the following information and documentation:
(1)
A description of the proposed work;
(2)
The tax map number and the street address of the premises where the work is to be performed;
(3)
The occupancy classification of any affected building or structure;
(4)
Where applicable, a statement of special inspections prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Code; and
(5)
At least two sets of construction documents (drawings and/or specifications) which:
(a)
Define the scope of the proposed work;
(b)
Are prepared by a New York State registered architect or licensed professional engineer where so required by the Education Law;
(c)
Indicate with sufficient clarity and detail the nature and extent of the work proposed;
(d)
Substantiate that the proposed work will comply with all applicable requirements; and
(e)
Where applicable, include a site plan that shows any existing and proposed buildings and structures on the site, the location of any existing or proposed well or septic system, the location of the intended work, and the distances between the buildings and structures and the lot lines.
D.
Construction documents. Construction documents will not be accepted as part of an application for a building permit unless they satisfy the requirements set forth in Subsection C(5) of this section. Construction documents which are accepted as part of the application for a building permit shall be marked as accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer in writing or by stamp. One set of the accepted construction documents shall be retained by the Code Enforcement Officer, and one set of the accepted construction documents shall be returned to the applicant to be kept at the work site so as to be available for use by the Code Enforcement personnel. However, the return of a set of accepted construction documents to the applicant shall not be construed as authorization to commence work, nor as an indication that a building permit will be issued. Work shall not be commenced until and unless a building permit is issued.
E.
Issuance of building permits. The Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector shall examine an application for a building permit to ascertain whether the proposed work is in compliance with all applicable requirements. The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a building permit if the proposed work is in compliance with the applicable requirements.
F.
Building permits to be displayed. Building permits shall be visibly displayed at the site and shall remain visible until the authorized work has been completed in compliance with all applicable requirements.
G.
Work to be in accordance with construction documents. All work shall be performed in accordance with the construction documents which were submitted with and accepted as part of the application for the building permit. The permit holder shall immediately notify the Code Enforcement Officer of any change occurring during the course of the work. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that such change warrants a new or amended building permit, such change shall not be made until and unless a new or amended building permit reflecting such change is issued.
H.
Construction inspections.
(1)
Work to remain accessible and exposed. Work authorized pursuant to a building permit shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer or by an inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer. The permit holder shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer when any element of work described in Subsection B of this section is ready for inspection.
(2)
Elements of work to be inspected. The following elements of the construction process shall be inspected, where applicable:
(a)
Work site prior to the issuance of a building permit;
(b)
Footing and foundation;
(c)
Preparation for concrete slab;
(d)
Framing;
(e)
Building systems, including underground and rough-in;
(f)
Fire-resistant construction;
(g)
Fire-resistant penetrations;
(h)
Solid-fuel-burning heating appliances, chimneys, flues or gas vents;
(i)
Uniform Code compliance; and
(j)
A final inspection after all work authorized by the building permit has been completed.
I.
Certificates of occupancy.
(1)
Certificates of occupancy required. For structures that are intended for human occupancy or use, a certificate of occupancy shall be required for any work which is the subject of a building permit and for all structures, buildings, or portions thereof, which are converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another. Permission to use or occupy a structure, or portion thereof, for which a building permit was previously issued shall be granted only by issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(2)
Issuance of certificates of occupancy. The Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a certificate of occupancy if the work which was the subject of the building permit was completed in accordance with all applicable requirements and, if applicable, that the structure, building or portion thereof that was converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another complies with all applicable requirements. The Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect the structure or work prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. In addition, where applicable, the following documents, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Code by such person or persons as may be designated by or otherwise acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer, at the expense of the Applicant for the certificate of occupancy, shall be provided to the Code Enforcement Officer prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy:
(3)
Contents of certificates of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall contain the following information:
(a)
The building permit number, if any;
(b)
The date of issuance of the building permit, if any;
(c)
The name, address and tax map number of the property;
(d)
If the certificate of occupancy is not applicable to an entire structure, a description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate of occupancy is issued;
(e)
The use and occupancy classification of the structure;
(f)
The type of construction of the structure;
(g)
The assembly occupant load of the structure, if any;
(h)
If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, a notation as to whether the sprinkler system is required;
(i)
Any special conditions imposed in connection with the issuance of the building permit; and
(j)
The signature of the Code Enforcement Officer issuing the certificate of occupancy and the date of issuance.
(4)
Temporary certificate.
(a)
The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted to issue a temporary certificate allowing the temporary use or occupancy of a structure, or a portion thereof, prior to completion of the work which is the subject of a building permit. However, in no event shall the Code Enforcement Officer issue a temporary certificate unless the Code Enforcement Officer determines:
(b)
The Code Enforcement Officer may include in a temporary certificate such terms and conditions as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to ensure safety or to further the purposes and intent of the Uniform Code and this chapter. A temporary certificate shall be effective for a period of time, not to exceed six months, which shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer and specified in the temporary certificate. During the specified period of effectiveness of the temporary certificate, the permit holder shall undertake to bring the structure into full compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and any other applicable requirements.
(5)
Revocation or suspension of certificates. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a certificate of occupancy or a temporary certificate was issued in error because of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, and if the relevant deficiencies are not corrected to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer within such period of time as shall be specified by the Code Enforcement Officer, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke or suspend such certificate.
J.
Time limits. Building permits shall become invalid unless the authorized work is commenced within six months following the date of issuance. Building permits shall expire 12 months after the date of issuance, unless extended by the Code Enforcement Officer for good cause shown. A building permit renewed or extended hereunder shall be subject to the payment of any applicable fee.
K.
Revocation or suspension of building permits. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a building permit was issued in error because of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or that the work for which a building permit was issued violates any applicable requirement, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke or suspend the building permit until such time as the permit holder demonstrates that all work then completed is in compliance with all applicable requirements and all work then proposed to be performed shall be in compliance with all applicable requirements.