City of Tonawanda, New York Building Permit Guide

Inside the City of Tonawanda, permits come from the Building Inspection Department at City Hall, 200 Niagara Street (716-695-1806). It issues building, electrical and plumbing permits from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each weekday, every contractor needs a city contractor’s license, and the fee schedule effective January 1, 2025 sets a new single-family house at $600 and a roof, window or siding replacement at $50.

What requires a building permit in the City of Tonawanda?

The department lists the most common projects that need a permit and stresses that the list is not complete; its fee schedule shows the rest of the permits it issues.

The department’s list names all accessory storage buildings (sheds and garages), and the fee sheet prices one under 144 square feet at a flat $50. A picket fence counts as a solid fence anywhere but the rear yard, and corner lots follow the visibility rules in Section 82-443.

What the city decides and what the state holds

The department enforces the Uniform Code and Energy Code, and stricter local construction rules would need state Code Council approval. The city’s own ordinances, published in its Municode library, cover zoning (the zoning ordinance, whose fence rules are Section 82-447), contractor licensing (Chapter 18), electrician licensing and electrical permits (Chapter 14), plumber licensing through the Plumbing Board, and the fee schedules adopted for 2025. The city also requires a storm water compliance certificate before any property changes hands.

City of Tonawanda building department: who handles permitting

The Building Inspection Department, headed by Building Inspector Erik C. Lindhurst, reviews plans for code compliance, issues permits, inspects work in progress and handles code complaints and zoning enforcement. A city electrical inspector and a city plumbing inspector work alongside it, each with a direct line.

City or Town of Tonawanda? They are separate municipalities with separate building departments, codes, licenses and fees. The much larger Town of Tonawanda, which includes the Village of Kenmore, has its own Building Department on Sheridan Drive, and the City of North Tonawanda is a third, separate city in Niagara County. A “Tonawanda” mailing address does not tell you which one you are in, so check the tax bill: only City of Tonawanda parcels file at 200 Niagara Street.

City of Tonawanda permit types and filing

Permits are filed on paper at City Hall. The department posts the building permit application, the contractor’s license application and current list of licensed general contractors, electrician certificate-of-competency and license applications, the electrical permit application, the NYS unified solar permit application, master and journeyman plumber applications, the plumbing permit application, a right-of-way permit application (through the city engineer) and the infiltration survey application.

Residential permits

Deck, fence and swimming pool permits each have a requirements sheet. A new house is a flat $600 building permit, but the electrical permit is separate ($225 per unit for a one- or two-family house up to 2,000 sq ft, $300 above) and so is the plumbing permit ($30 filing plus $25 a fixture). Owners may do their own electrical and plumbing work only in a dwelling they occupy; everyone else must hire city-licensed trades.

The building application asks for the job location, SBL number, zoning, construction cost, occupancy and construction type. New buildings and additions must include a survey showing all existing structures, and two sets of plans are filed when the Building Inspector asks for them. Building materials may not be stored in the street or city right-of-way, any change to the approved plans needs the Building Inspector’s written approval, and the permit holder must arrange removal of construction debris, which the city will not collect from the curb.

Pools. Article 9 of the zoning ordinance requires a building permit for any private pool over 300 cubic feet, whether above or below ground, and every private swimming pool in the city, new or existing, must be permitted. The application needs a scaled plot plan with all lot lines, structures and yard measurements. A pool must sit at least 6 feet from rear and side lines and from the house, may cover no more than 10% of the lot, and must be enclosed by a 4- to 5-foot fence or barrier (6 feet in a rear yard where allowed). Pool plumbing needs a plumbing permit with two drawings of the fill, filtration and drainage systems; excavated pools of 1,500 cubic feet or more need a grated drain, and fill pipes must have a 6-inch air gap. Storable-pool electrical equipment needs GFCI protection, and pump or filter houses need their own building permit.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit applications, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

New commercial buildings, additions and remodeling are priced from the city’s cost-of-construction table with a $100 minimum, commercial plumbing carries a $75 filing fee, and commercial demolition is $200 per structure. Commercial projects that need site plan approval go to the Planning Board, which meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial building permits through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

What comes before the building permit

Zoning variances and appeals go to the Board of Appeals, which meets on the last Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Work in a city street or sidewalk needs a right-of-way permit from the city engineer. The City of Tonawanda participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, with its current flood map dated June 16, 2021, so parcels in a mapped flood zone can face flood plain review. Before a property is sold, the owner must obtain a Certificate of Storm Water Compliance showing that no storm water is entering the sanitary sewer, using the city’s infiltration survey application.

City of Tonawanda building permit fees

The city’s building permit fees took effect January 1, 2025. Many categories are priced from the city’s cost-of-construction table, printed on the last page of the fee sheet: $50 for the first $1,000 of cost, $8 for each added $1,000 up to $100,000 ($842 at $100,000), and $6.00 per $1,000 over $100,000, which the sheet’s own examples apply to the whole cost ($1,200 for a $200,000 job).

So a new single-family house costs $600 for the building permit whatever its size, while its first electrical permit is $225 or $300 depending on whether the floor area exceeds 2,000 sq ft. A $20,000 kitchen remodel comes to $202 on the table ($50 plus 19 × $8). A homeowner replacing a roof pays $50, and a fence permit is a flat $50 whatever the length of the fence.

Trade permits and who may pull them

Contractors. Every contractor working in the city must hold a City of Tonawanda Contractor’s License under Chapter 18, Article 6, filing proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance and a $100 fee. The department posts the current licensed contractor list.

Electricians. Anyone installing electrical wiring or equipment for hire needs both a City of Tonawanda Electrician Certificate of Competency ($100) and a city Electrical License ($100); the master electrician exam is scheduled by calling the office. An electrical permit is required before starting any extension or upgrade of an electrical system. Fees effective January 1, 2025 include $50 for one to ten new outlets, $70 for more, $110 for a one-meter service change with the required smoke alarms, $125 for a whole-house generator, and $40 for an above-ground pool; new multiple residences are $175 per unit, a generator panel $75, and air conditioning or other special equipment $45 per system as part of an original installation or $75 added later.

Plumbers. Plumbing licenses are processed by the Building Department after the exam set by the Plumbing Board. Master and journeyman exams are given at the April and November board meetings, with applications due at least 30 days before; the fee is $50 for the journeyman exam and $100 for the master exam, or $100 and $250 for a special exam at another time. Plumbing permits carry a $30 residential filing fee plus $25 a fixture, $50 for a sump pump, $25 for a water heater or boiler, and $30 per 100 feet of sewer, water or gas line. The Plumbing Board meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

How to apply for a City of Tonawanda permit

Review, corrections and what causes delay

Anything submitted after 11:30 a.m. is processed the next business day, and because every contractor must hold a city license, a contractor new to the city should file the license application, insurance certificates and $100 fee first. Fees based on the cost-of-construction table are set at review, so bring an accurate project cost.

City of Tonawanda inspections and certificates

Once a permit issues, in-progress inspections are required. Building inspections are arranged with the department at 716-695-1806; the electrical inspector takes calls at 716-444-1237 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays and inspects all permitted electrical work, and the plumbing inspector, at 716-695-8627, inspects plumbing permits. The department investigates code violations and prosecutes local ordinance violations when required; complaints go to 716-695-1806 with the caller’s name and address.

The person who signs the building application agrees to notify the Building Inspector for each required inspection; failing to call can lead to legal action and fines. Occupying a new building or addition before the city issues a certificate of occupancy violates the City Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

When a property is sold, the separate storm water infiltration survey must be passed so the city can issue its Certificate of Storm Water Compliance before the transfer.

New York building code

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

City of Tonawanda permit FAQ

Is the City of Tonawanda the same as the Town of Tonawanda?

No. They are separate municipalities; City parcels are permitted at 200 Niagara Street, Town parcels by the Town Building Department on Sheridan Drive.

How much is a permit for a new house?

$600 for a single-family house and $700 for a two-family house, plus separate electrical and plumbing permits.

Do I need a permit for a shed?

Yes. All accessory storage buildings need a permit; one under 144 square feet is $50.

How tall can my fence be?

Five feet in residential districts, or six feet in the rear yard, and solid fences within 15 feet of the street are limited to 36 inches. The permit is $50.

Can I do my own electrical or plumbing work?

Only in a dwelling you occupy. All other electrical and plumbing work must be done by city-licensed tradespeople, with a permit.

Do I need a permit for an above-ground pool?

Yes, for any private pool over 300 cubic feet: $50 for an above-ground pool or $100 in-ground, plus a plumbing permit, an electrical permit ($40 above ground) and a 4- to 5-foot barrier.

Who inspects electrical work in the city?

The city’s own electrical inspector, reached at 716-444-1237 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, after a city-licensed electrician or the homeowner takes out the permit.

What do I need before selling a house?

A Certificate of Storm Water Compliance from the infiltration survey, showing no storm water enters the sanitary sewer.

City of Tonawanda permit search and official resources

Permit and inspection records are held by the Building Inspection Department at City Hall; copies can be requested from the city under the Freedom of Information Law. The posted lists of licensed contractors, electricians and plumbers show who may work in the city.

• City of Tonawanda Building Inspection Department
• Building permit fees (effective January 1, 2025)
• Electrical permit fees (2025)
• Plumbing permit fees (2025)
• Fence requirements, Section 82-447
• Building permit application
• Contractor’s license application
• City board meeting dates
• City of Tonawanda Code of Ordinances (Municode)
• NYS Uniform Code adoption notice

Simplify City of Tonawanda permitting with Alliance Permitting

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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about City of Tonawanda permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.