Smithtown, NY Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Under Town Code § 112-12, the Chief Building Inspector examines every building permit application and either approves or disapproves it within a reasonable time; once approved, one set of endorsed plans stays on file with the Building Department and the other must be kept at the job site, open to inspection at all reasonable times (§ 112-13C requires the permit itself to be posted so it can be seen from the street). Section 112-16 gives the Chief Building Inspector and building inspectors a right of entry to any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour upon showing proper credentials, and no one may interfere with that entry.

Before a certificate of occupancy issues, § 112-18 requires the Chief Building Inspector to examine or cause to be examined all buildings, structures and sites covered by a permit, with a Building Department record kept of every examination and any violations found. Section 112-19 then requires a final inspection confirming the work matches the approved plans before the certificate can be issued; if the work isn't properly completed, the Inspector must refuse the certificate and order the work brought into conformity. A temporary certificate of occupancy can be issued under § 112-20 for partially completed work if the finished portion can be safely occupied, but it lapses after one year.

Section 112-21 lets the Inspector order materials or assemblies tested whenever there are reasonable grounds to doubt compliance. Elevator owners face a recurring inspection duty separate from construction: § 112-22 requires passenger elevators to be inspected every six months and freight elevators every 12 months by New York State-approved inspectors, with a copy of the results posted in the car.