Tonawanda, NY Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

The Code of the Town of Tonawanda regulates electrical work in Article VIII of Chapter 54, Building Code Administration, covering the town outside the Village of Kenmore, which enforces its own code. Under § 54-15, all electrical installations for light, heat or power operating on 50 volts or more must conform to the National Electrical Code (NFPA Pamphlet No. 70), unless a local law, ordinance or the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code sets a different standard, in which case that stricter provision controls.

The Code Enforcement Officer and designated electrical inspectors carry out inspections and reinspections, report violations in writing, and authorize a certificate of compliance once installations meet the article. Electrical work itself must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed master electrician under Chapter 75, Electricians, Licensing of, except that a resident owner of a one- or two-family home may do the work personally. Before any wiring is installed or altered, the property owner or contractor must file an electrical permit and application for inspection with the Town of Tonawanda Building Department; connecting the wiring to an electrical energy source before a temporary certificate or certificate of compliance is issued is also a violation.

The article exempts mines, ships, railway cars, utility installations, in-house electricians at qualifying manufacturers who file an annual list with the Code Enforcement Officer by January 1, and buildings owned by federal, state or Erie County government. Complaints alleging noncompliance are handled under § 54-16, and the Code Enforcement Officer can issue a compliance order, appearance ticket or stop-work order under § 54-19.