Irondequoit, NY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Who issues permits
- Building Inspector, with Fire Marshal for fire-related work
- Shed exemption
- One-story, 30 square feet gross floor area at most
- Plan sets required
- At least three sets of plans and specifications
- Permit duration
- No longer than one year, two ninety-day extensions
- Fees
- Per fee schedule approved by Town Board resolution
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 per day or up to one year, or both
Summary
In the Town of Irondequoit, no one can build, enlarge, alter, demolish or convert a building or structure, or change its occupancy, without first getting a permit from the Building Inspector. One-story storage sheds, playhouses and pet shelters at one- or two-family homes need no permit only if the gross floor area does not exceed 30 square feet.
§ 98-9. Permit required. A. No person, firm or corporation shall commence erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion or installation therein of any building or structure or change in nature the occupancy of any building or structure without first obtaining an appropriate permit from the Building Inspector, except that no permit shall be required for the performance of repairs which are not structural in nature and do not entail plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation systems or components, or fire-detection, fire-prevention or fire-suppression systems. ... F. No building permit shall be required for work in any of the following categories, but the exemption from the requirement for a building permit shall not in any way be deemed to authorize work in violation of the Uniform Code or such zoning requirements as may still apply: (1) Construction or installation of one-story detached structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings which are used for storage, playhouses, pet shelters, or similar uses, provided that the gross floor area does not in any case exceed 30 square feet.
Full Breakdown
Section 98-9 of the Town of Irondequoit Code opens with a broad prohibition: no person, firm or corporation can commence erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, improvement, demolition, conversion or installation in any building or structure, or change the nature of its occupancy, without an appropriate permit from the Building Inspector. The only carve-out in that paragraph is for repairs that are not structural and do not entail plumbing, electrical, heating or ventilation systems or components, or fire-detection, fire-prevention or fire-suppression systems.
Section 98-9F then lists work that needs no building permit: one-story detached structures at one- or two-family dwellings used for storage, playhouses, pet shelters or similar uses, provided the gross floor area does not in any case exceed 30 square feet; swings and other playground equipment at those dwellings; temporary motion-picture, television and theater stage sets; window awnings supported by the exterior wall of a one- or two-family dwelling, installed to the manufacturer's specifications; and partitions or movable cases less than five feet nine inches in height. The exemption never authorizes work that violates the Uniform Code or zoning requirements. Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting and similar finish work are also exempt, but repairs that Code Enforcement Official requires a permit for in extenuating circumstances, such as fire or flood damage, need one.
Applications go to the Fire Marshal or the Building Inspector under § 98-10 with plans and specifications, at least three sets, and a licensed architect's or engineer's seal where Education Law § 7302 requires one. Under § 98-11 fees follow the fee schedule approved by Town Board resolution, a permit is not transferable, and it runs no longer than one year with no more than two ninety-day extensions. Work stays exposed until inspected, with inspections at footings and foundation, framing and building systems among others. A refused applicant can appeal to the Board of Review under § 98-8.
Violations & Fines
Section 98-47 makes it unlawful to build, alter or occupy a structure in a manner not permitted by an approved building permit. Under § 98-51 a willful violation is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 per day of violation or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, and each day the condition continues is a separate offense. The Building Inspector can issue a stop-work order, a violation order or an appearance ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irondequoit
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