Building Safety in Albany, NY (2026)
10 verified building safety rules for Albany, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Albany requires every elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter, and lift in the city to be inspected semiannually by a licensed inspector, who certifies compliance before the owner can obtain a certificate of operation.
Albany Elevator Inspections Every Six Months
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 175-12(B)
All conveyances existing in any building or structure must be inspected semiannually by a person, firm or company to which a license to inspect conveyances has been issued. Subsequent to inspection, said licensed person, firm or company must certify to the owner and/or the Administrator compliance with applicable sections of this chapter and, prior to use, a certificate of operation must be obt...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Albany's Housing Code requires sprinkler equipment already installed in a multiple dwelling to stay in proper operating condition at all times, with an automatic alarm wired into the system.
Albany Multiple-Dwelling Sprinkler Maintenance Rule
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 231-85
Required sprinkler equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times. Storage of materials shall cause minimum interference to effective discharge of water. ... An automatic alarm system shall be installed in connection with a required sprinkler system. Such alarm system shall be activated by the operation of the sprinkler system.
Childcare Center Rules
Albany's zoning code defines a day-care center as care for three or more people over three hours daily, requiring New York OCFS licensing, and restricts placement to a Conditional Use Permit in the city's lowest-density residential districts.
Albany Day-Care Center Rules: Licensing and Zoning
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-602
A facility providing supervised care, preschool, and/or activities other than in an occupied dwelling to three or more individuals for more than three hours a day. Any facility providing day care for three or more children must be licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. DAY-CARE HOME A program providing day care to no more than the maximum number of individuals ...
Door Locking Hardware
Albany requires every rental dwelling unit to have a single-cylinder dead-bolt lock with at least a one-inch throw, plus specific hardware on shared building entrances.
Albany Rental Unit Door Lock Requirements
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 133-60A(1)
Dwelling units. Each entry door to a dwelling unit shall be equipped with an operating single-cylinder dead-bolt lock with a minimum one-inch throw. The strike plate for said lock shall be firmly attached with a minimum of two screws. (2) Building entrances. For the purpose of this section, where a building entrance consists of two doors or sets of doors, the requirements shall be applicable...
Green Building Code
Albany rewards LEED Platinum or Gold new construction with extra impervious lot coverage and, in most zones, one additional story of height.
Albany LEED Certification Zoning Bonus
Light RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-401(5)(a)
Energy efficient development. New development of a principal building that is registered, designed, and documented for a LEED Platinum or LEED Gold certification, or equivalent as determined by the Chief Planning Official, shall receive the following benefits. (i) The project may increase the maximum impervious lot coverage by 20%; and (ii) The project may increase the maximum height of a...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Albany requires approved carbon monoxide detectors in every residential building with more than one unit, placed within 40 feet of sleeping rooms.
Albany Carbon Monoxide Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 133-78.9
Except as hereinafter provided, every building of residential or mixed occupancy and having more than one residential unit shall be equipped with approved carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with this article. B. For purposes of this article, "residential unit" includes multiple dwellings as defined in § 231-10 of the Code of the City of Albany.
Building Permits
In Albany, no structure may be built or altered until the Commissioner of Buildings approves the plans and a permit is posted on site. City Code Section 133-12 reaches new construction, alterations, and even new siding of any type.
Albany Requires a Building Permit Before Construction
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Albany § 133-12 (Approval required; posting of permit)
§ 133-12. Approval required; posting of permit. Except as otherwise herein provided, the erection or alteration of a structure, including any new siding of whatsoever type or nature, shall not be commenced until complete plans, specifications or statements shall have been submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of Buildings, and a permit posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. It s...
Electrical Permits
Albany requires an electrical permit from the Administrator before any electrical wiring or equipment installation, issued only to a licensed master electrician, with a final inspection to close it out.
Albany Electrical Work Requires a Permit
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 171-50
For work to be done in the City of Albany, it shall be unlawful for any person to contract for, allow or perform the installation of electrical wiring or equipment unless: Prior to any such installation the proper electrical permit is obtained from the Administrator... An electrical permit shall be issued only to a licensed or temporarily licensed master electrician... It shall be unlawful for ...
Plumbing Permits
Only a plumber licensed by Albany's Examining Board of Plumbers may perform plumbing work in the city. The Commissioner of Buildings issues the license after an exam, and the Board's own plumbing rules layer on top of the New York State Plumbing, Fuel Gas and Mechanical Codes.
Albany Plumbing License and Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 261-3
No person shall, within the limits of the City of Albany, engage in, carry on or work at the business of plumbing as herein defined without first having passed an examination and obtained and paid for and having in full force and effect a license as herein provided.
Building Inspections
Albany requires annual fire-safety and property-maintenance inspections for every building with a public assembly space, performed only by inspectors the city has licensed under City Code Chapter 151, Article VII.
Albany Mandatory Public Assembly Inspections
Significant RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 151-102
It is mandated by the State of New York Department of State that there shall be fire safety and property maintenance inspections of buildings which contain an area of public assembly. An "area of public assembly" is defined under Title 19 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (NYCRR), Section 1203.3(h), and also by the 2007 Building Code of New York State, Section 303.
Looking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albany city rules.
Building Safety in Albany County →