Albany County requires inspections at footing, framing, rough-in plumbing, electrical, insulation, and final stages per NY Uniform Code. Certificate of Occupancy required before use.
Building inspection in Albany County is conducted by each municipality's Building Department in accordance with 19 NYCRR Part 1203 (NYS Uniform Code administration) and the 2020 NY Residential and Building Codes. Standard inspection sequence: (1) footing/foundation before concrete pour, (2) underground plumbing/electrical before cover, (3) framing/rough-in plumbing/rough electrical/HVAC before insulation, (4) insulation before drywall, (5) final before Certificate of Occupancy. Additional inspections for: fireplace, wood stove, oil tank, pool barrier, septic (Albany County Department of Health involvement), and accessibility in commercial. 24-hour advance notice typical for inspections; missed or failed inspections incur re-inspection fees ($50-$150). Certificate of Occupancy required before any space may be occupied; Certificate of Compliance typical for minor work (decks, sheds, renovations without occupancy change). Inspector must be a Code Enforcement Official certified under 19 NYCRR Part 434 by NYS Department of State. City of Albany, Town of Colonie, Town of Bethlehem, Town of Guilderland all maintain in-house inspection staff; smaller towns may contract with Albany County or share services. Annual fire and life safety inspections required for multiple dwellings under Executive Law 378 and local rental registration programs (Albany Good Landlord, Colonie, Cohoes).
Construction without inspection: stop-work order, $250-$1,000 per violation, and opened work may be required for inspection (destructive testing at owner cost). Occupying without CO: tenant eviction liability, rental license denial, daily fines.
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