Clay, NY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 80-4.A of the Building Code Administration chapter requires a building permit for any work that must conform to the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the Energy Code and the Town of Clay Code, expressly naming construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of a building or structure, plus installing a solid-fuel burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in a dwelling unit; no one may start covered work before the Town issues the permit. Applications go to the Code Enforcement Officer in the Planning and Development Department in writing, and Section 80-4.B requires the property owner's or authorized agent's signature, the Tax Map number and street address, the occupancy classification, and at least two sets of construction documents showing egress, structural, energy, electrical, plumbing and mechanical information, sealed by a New York-licensed architect or engineer where required.

Once accepted, the permit must be displayed at the work site under Section 80-4.E, and any change from the accepted plans requires immediate notice to the Code Enforcement Officer, who decides whether an amended permit is needed. Section 80-4.G gives permit holders six months from issuance to start work before the permit becomes invalid, and the permit expires outright 12 months after issuance regardless of progress; an invalid or expired permit can be renewed on application and payment of the fee set under § 105-4.

A permit issued on incorrect or incomplete information, or where the work violates the Codes, can be revoked or suspended under Section 80-4.H until the Permit Holder shows the completed and remaining work both comply. Section 80-21 backs the permit requirement with fines up to $1,000 per day of violation, up to a year in jail, or a civil penalty up to $1,000 per day, plus injunctive relief in Supreme Court.