Most Albany County municipalities require a building permit for fences over 6 feet tall, and some require zoning review for any fence regardless of height. Permit fees typically range from 25 to 100 dollars.
The City of Albany requires a zoning permit for all new fences. Colonie and Bethlehem require building permits only for fences over 6 feet or within site-distance triangles. Retaining walls over 4 feet require engineering and building permits throughout the county. Historic districts including Center Square, Washington Park, and Mansion in Albany require Historic Resources Commission review.
Building without a permit incurs 100 to 500 dollar fines and possible stop-work orders. Historic district violations can require removal and restoration.
See how Albany County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.