Building Safety in Amherst, NY (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Owners of Amherst rental properties built before 1978 must certify awareness of lead paint risks and federal disclosure duties when they register, and the Building Department can order remediation and proof from a licensed lead inspector if testing finds lead-based paint violations.
Amherst Lead Paint Rules for Pre-1978 Rentals
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 44-4(A)(9)
(9) If the property was constructed prior to 1978, the owner shall certify that the owner is aware of the possibility of lead paint in the property; that the owner is aware of federal disclosure requirements concerning property that may contain lead paint and has complied with federal disclosure requirements; and that the owner is familiar with the use of lead-safe methods during painting, reno...
Elevator Maintenance
Amherst's Property Maintenance Code requires elevators, dumbwaiters, and escalators to be kept free of physical and fire hazards and to safely sustain all imposed loads under § 151-81, with a current inspection certificate posted or available on request. Buildings with passenger elevators must keep at least one running whenever occupied, except during testing or servicing of a sole elevator.
Amherst Elevator Maintenance and Service Rule
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 151-81
Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained to sustain safely all imposed loads, to operate properly and to be free from physical and fire hazards. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter, or the certificate shall be available for public inspection in the office of the building opera...
Building Permits
Amherst Code § 83-5-1 requires a separate building permit or quick permit from the Commissioner of Building before almost any construction, alteration, enlargement or demolition begins in the Town outside the Village of Williamsville, with a short list of exempted minor work.
Amherst Building Permit Requirement For Construction
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 83-5-1
No person, firm or corporation shall commence the relocation, replacement, demolition, erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal or change of any required means of egress, rearrangement of parts of a structure in a manner that affects egress, the removal from service of all or part of a fire protection system for any period of time, or conversion of any building, str...
Electrical Permits
Amherst Code § 83-5-4 requires a separate electrical permit or quick permit from the Commissioner of Building before any electrical installation, alteration or repair of wiring or fixtures begins on a premises, building or structure in the Town.
Amherst Electrical Permit Requirement Before Wiring
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 83-5-4
No person, firm or corporation shall commence any electrical work involving electrical installation, alterations or repairs of wiring or fixtures for electrical light, heat, cooling, power and control on any premises or within or on any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate electrical permit or quick permit from the Commissioner of Building for ...
Plumbing Permits
Amherst Code § 83-5-2 requires a separate plumbing permit or quick permit from the Commissioner of Building before any plumbing, drainage or sewer contracting work begins on a building, structure, parking lot or premises in the Town.
Amherst Plumbing Permit Requirement For Sewer Work
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 83-5-2
No person, firm or corporation shall commence any plumbing, drainage or sewer contracting work in any building, structure or parking lot or on any premises, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a separate plumbing permit or quick permit from the Commissioner of Building for each such occurrence. When authorized by the Commissioner of Building, a quick permit application may be ...
Building Inspections
Amherst requires every stage of permitted construction work to pass a Commissioner of Building inspection before it can be covered up. The permit holder must call for each inspection, and work stays exposed until it is approved.
Amherst Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 83-5-5
All work authorized under a valid building permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit, or fire prevention permit shall be executed in strict accordance with plans and specifications previously approved by the Commissioner of Building. No part of any building, structure, electrical wiring, parking lot, plumbing and drainage or sewer work shall be covered or concealed in any way until it has been...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
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