Albany, NY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code Section 133-12 (Ch. 133)
- Permit issued by
- Commissioner of Buildings
- Trigger
- Erection, alteration, or new siding
- Permit posting
- Conspicuous place on premises
- Also enforced
- NYS Uniform Building Code
Summary
In Albany, no structure may be built or altered until the Commissioner of Buildings approves the plans and a permit is posted on site. City Code Section 133-12 reaches new construction, alterations, and even new siding of any type.
§ 133-12. Approval required; posting of permit. Except as otherwise herein provided, the erection or alteration of a structure, including any new siding of whatsoever type or nature, shall not be commenced until complete plans, specifications or statements shall have been submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of Buildings, and a permit posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, mutilate, destroy or conceal any notice issued and posted on any building by the Commissioner of Buildings pursuant to the provisions of this code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
Albany City Code Section 133-3 bars any structure from being built or altered except in conformity with the Building Code, and Section 133-12 makes the permit the gate: erection or alteration cannot begin until complete plans, specifications, or statements are filed with and approved by the Commissioner of Buildings and the permit is posted conspicuously on the premises. Even installing new siding of any type triggers the requirement. The Department of Buildings and Regulatory Compliance reviews applications and collects the fees, and Albany enforces the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code alongside these local provisions. Removing or concealing a posted permit notice is itself unlawful.
Violations & Fines
Starting work without an approved permit is unlawful and the Commissioner of Buildings can halt the job. Removing, mutilating, destroying, or concealing a posted permit notice is a separate violation under Section 133-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to re-side my Albany house?
Who issues building permits in Albany?
Can I take down the posted permit once work begins?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Albany County handle building permits.