Schenectady, NY Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Chapter 137 sets out a two-step process: permit issuance under § 137-4, then a defined inspection sequence under § 137-5. Section 137-4F requires the Code Enforcement Officer to examine an application to determine whether the proposed work complies with the Uniform Code and Energy Code, and directs that a permit be issued once it does. After the permit issues, § 137-5A requires that the work remain accessible and exposed until it is inspected and accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer or an authorized inspector, and puts the burden on the permit holder to notify the Officer when each element of work is ready for inspection.

Subsection B lists the specific stages that must be inspected where applicable: the work site itself before a permit issues, footing and foundation, preparation for a concrete slab, framing, building systems including underground and rough-in work, fire-resistant construction and fire-resistant penetrations, solid-fuel-burning heating appliances, chimneys, flues or gas vents, Energy Code compliance, and a final inspection after all permitted work is complete. Section 137-5C describes the outcome of each inspection: the work is noted satisfactory as completed, or the permit holder is told where it fails to comply, and noncompliant work must remain exposed until it is corrected, reinspected, and found satisfactory.

A fee set under § 137-16, Fees, must be paid before or at the time of each inspection. Beyond construction inspections, the Code Enforcement Officer separately conducts recurring firesafety and property maintenance inspections under § 137-12, at intervals ranging from every 12 months for public-assembly buildings and dormitories to every 36 months for other multiple dwellings and nonresidential buildings.