The Town of Colonie Building and Fire Services Department handles zoning approval, building permits, certificates of occupancy and compliance, and variances. It is on the Second Floor of the Public Operations Center, 347 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2286, phone (518) 783-2706 or (518) 783-2712. Regular office hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This guide covers the town department, its 2026 residential and commercial fee schedules and the Zoning Board of Appeals. The town pages do not publish how to request inspections, and the Village of Menands website could not be checked, so contact both directly.
What requires a building permit in the Town of Colonie?
The 2026 Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule prices new one- and two-family dwellings, additions, alterations, garages and decks, sheds, gazebos and chicken coops, hot tubs and swimming pools.
For residential additions, drawings must be wet stamped by a NYS licensed engineer or architect, with a stamped truss layout, when the estimated cost is $20,000.00 or more, for any second-story addition, or for structural work. Any addition over 300 square feet is presumed to cost more than $20,000.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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
Who handles permitting in the Town of Colonie?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building and Fire Services Department | Zoning approval, building permits, certificates of occupancy and compliance, variances; Public Operations Center, Second Floor, 347 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham | (518) 783-2706 or (518) 783-2712 |
| Storm Water Management Department | Erosion and Sediment Control Plan questions | (518) 783-6292 |
| Village of Colonie Building Department/Code Enforcement | All building permits in the village; Village Hall, 2 Thunder Road; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday | (518) 869-7562 |
The Village of Colonie is a separate municipality inside the town. Census lists both Colonie village (7679 people, 2025 estimate) and Menands village (4615) inside Colonie town; confirm with Menands which office permits there.
Health, storm water and pools in Colonie
Sewer, water and county health permits
A new residence needs sewer, water and/or Albany County Health permits as part of the building permit application.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Erosion and sediment control
New homes, additions and in-ground pools must keep the site in line with the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, with a final grading inspection.
Pools
Before a pool permit is issued, the pool outline must be staked or spray-painted on the property for a site inspection.
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals decides appeals from decisions under the Colonie Land Use Law and hears special use permit applications. Agenda questions go to the Building Department at (518) 783-2706. Residential ZBA fees run from $180 for a one-family dwelling to $250 for a two-family dwelling; on the commercial schedule an application is $690.
Town of Colonie permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New one- or two-family dwelling, up to 1,500 SF | $1,090 |
| 1,500 SF to 3,000 SF | $1,500 |
| 3,001 SF to 4,500 SF | $1,900 |
| Residential additions, alterations, garages, decks | $140 for the first $1,000 of construction cost, plus $15 per additional $1,000 |
| Sheds, gazebos, chicken coops | $70 |
| Above-ground pools | $95 |
| In-ground pools | $300 |
| Commercial new buildings and alterations | $650 for the first $1,000, plus $20 per additional $1,000 |
| Plan reviews beyond the 2nd submission | $150 |
| Reinspection beyond the 2nd failed inspection | $75 |
| Work without a permit (on top of the permit fee) | $100 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Payments are taken in person (cash, check or card), by mail (check only) or online for certain services, with a 2.75% card fee. All fees are non-refundable.
How to get a building permit in the Town of Colonie
In the Village of Colonie, the village Building Department issues all permits.
The Residential Zoning Verification and Building / Zoning Permit form, an electrical application for any electrical work, and certificates of general liability and workers compensation insurance.
Homeowners not hiring a contractor need a New York workers comp exemption certificate before the permit is issued.
Applications can be brought in or mailed with the fee; review may take 5 to 15 business days.
Permits expire two years from issuance, and applications are abandoned if no permit is issued within one year.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Every permit carries an expiration date set by the Town of Colonie, 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 Colonie
Pool sites are inspected before the permit, and new homes, additions and in-ground pools get a final grading inspection. A reinspection beyond the 2nd failed inspection costs $75. From 4/1/26 to 9/30/26 the department keeps construction hours of Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Official Town of Colonie permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Town of Colonie Building and Fire Services
- Colonie residential building permit guide
- Colonie 2026 residential fee schedule
- Colonie 2026 commercial fee schedule
- Colonie Zoning Board of Appeals
- Village of Colonie Building Department
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
How long does a Colonie residential permit review take?
The town says 5 to 15 business days.
When does a Colonie addition need stamped drawings?
When it costs $20,000.00 or more, is a second-story addition or involves structural work; any addition over 300 square feet is presumed to cost more than $20,000.
Who issues permits in the Village of Colonie?
The village’s own Building Department at Village Hall, 2 Thunder Road, (518) 869-7562.
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Inspections are where schedules slip.
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- Prepare the application, surveys, insurance forms and plans and file them the way the office accepts them
- Schedule the required inspections and follow the permit through to the certificate of occupancy
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in New York. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More New York permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Town of Colonie permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.