The Town of Cheektowaga Building Department (building, plumbing, fire safety and planning) takes all permit submittals and fees at 275 Alexander Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14211, phone (716) 686-3470, email BuildingClerks@tocny.org. Office hours are 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and building applications are accepted until 4:00 pm. Use the video doorbell to get in.
This guide covers the Cheektowaga Building Department’s fees, plumber licensing, the Engineering Department and the town’s storm-water and landlord rules, with pointers to the two villages.
What requires a building permit in the Town of Cheektowaga?
A pre-built shed needs a permit. Properties on Borden Road, Losson Road or Towers Blvd. have a larger front setback that can reach 50 feet, and detached accessory buildings may not exceed 750 sf in total.
The town asks applicants to consult the department before filing for permits so the right licensed professionals are involved, and every project seeking development review and site plan approval must first schedule a pre-submission meeting.
New York builds on one statewide code, the Uniform Code, outside New York City; the 2025 edition and 2025 Energy Code took effect on 31 December 2025 (the all-electric provisions remain suspended by court order). Cities, towns and villages administer it, and local standards stricter than the code need Code Council approval. The Uniform Code in New York
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in the Town of Cheektowaga?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building Department | All permit submittals and fees; 275 Alexander Avenue | (716) 686-3470; BuildingClerks@tocny.org |
| Supervising Code Enforcement Officer | Donald Wartinger | (716) 686-3565 |
| Town Engineer | Lot grading and drainage, sanitary sewer extensions, commercial storm water plans; Public Improvement Permit and Flood Damage Prevention ordinances | 275 Alexander Avenue; (716) 897-7288 |
Depew and Sloan
The Village of Depew, which lies partly in Cheektowaga and partly in Lancaster, has its own Building Inspection department. The Village of Sloan requires a permit for all work except cosmetic work; questions go to Village Hall at (716) 897-1560. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates, 9031 people live in the Cheektowaga part of Depew and 3699 in Sloan; Census also counts a small piece of Williamsville village (pt.) inside the town.
Storm-water, landlord and zoning rules in Cheektowaga
Storm-water discharge inspection
Cheektowaga runs a storm-water discharge (inflow and infiltration, time of sale) inspection: $100.00 for a residential property of a single building up to three units, and $150.00 per building for commercial property. Downspouts and sump pumps tied into the town sanitary sewer must be disconnected.
Landlord registration
Owners who do not live in a Cheektowaga property, outside the villages of Sloan and Depew, must register it with the town every two (2) years, within 30 days of purchase, with a $20 registration fee.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Zoning Board of Appeals
Variances go through the Zoning Board Appeal Request Form (ZBA), posted on the Building Department’s Forms & Guides page with the Special Use Permit and zoning change applications.
Town of Cheektowaga permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New one- or two-family dwelling | $1,250 base fee, includes 20 inspections; $50 per extra inspection, meeting or call-out |
| Residential alterations (Residential Code) | $7 per $1,000 of construction value |
| Commercial buildings and alterations (Building Code) | $10 per $1,000 |
| Residential solar panels or back-up generators | $50 base fee |
| Development review application | $300 for 0-4.99 acres; $600 for 5-10 acres; $800 above |
| Special Use Permit, 0-4.99 acres | $1,000 |
| Pre-project meetings | $0 |
| Commercial water or sewer tap | $500 per tap |
Pre-construction meetings and not-ready inspections count as inspections. A separate sewer tap fee is required for Erie County Sewer District 1.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Plumbing and electrical work in Cheektowaga
Cheektowaga licenses plumbers itself: the department holds master, journeyman and sewer contractor plumbing exams and keeps a list of licensed master plumbers. Commercial and residential plumbing carries an extra $50 for each failed or additional inspection, meeting or call-out; boiler, furnace or duct work is $50 per installation.
Electrical work must be inspected by one of the town-approved electrical inspection agencies. The residential permit packet names Commonwealth Electrical Inspection Services (716-207-0422 or 716-868-1062), Atlantic Inland (716-731-4748) and Niagara Frontier Inspection Agency (716-276-1200).
Where a municipality issues separate trade permits, the work is done under whatever electrical or plumbing licence that city, town or county requires; many places license neither trade. Trade licences in New York
How to get a building permit in the Town of Cheektowaga
Depew and Sloan handle their own building permits.
Talk to the Building Department before filing; site plan projects book a pre-submission meeting.
All submittals and fees go to 275 Alexander Avenue; building applications are accepted until 4:00 pm.
A town-licensed plumber and a town-approved electrical inspection agency.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Every permit carries an expiration date set by the Town of Cheektowaga, which may void a permit if work does not start in time; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in New York
Inspections in the Town of Cheektowaga
The new-home base fee covers 20 inspections; each one after that, including meetings and call-outs, is $50. Electrical inspections are done by the approved agencies, not the town.
Official Town of Cheektowaga permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Cheektowaga Building Department
- Cheektowaga Building Department forms and guides
- Cheektowaga permit and fee schedule
- Cheektowaga additions, sheds, decks and gazebo packet
- Cheektowaga Engineering Department
- Cheektowaga landlord registration
- Village of Depew Building Inspection
- Village of Sloan code enforcement
Frequently asked questions
Does a pre-built shed need a permit in Cheektowaga?
Yes. Detached accessory buildings may not exceed 750 sf in total.
Who issues permits in Depew and Sloan?
Each village: Depew has its own Building Inspection department, and Sloan permits go through Village Hall, (716) 897-1560.
What does the Cheektowaga time-of-sale storm-water inspection cost?
$100.00 for a residential property of a single building up to three units, and $150.00 per building for commercial property.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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More New York permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Town of Cheektowaga permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.