The Town of Tonawanda Building Department is at 2005 Sheridan Drive, Suite 210, Tonawanda, NY 14223, phone (716) 877-8801, open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 3:30pm. It reviews residential and commercial plans, issues building, electrical, plumbing and sump pump permits, issues zoning compliance decisions and takes Zoning Board of Appeals applications.
This guide covers the Building Department, town contractor licensing, inspection booking, sump pump certificates and subdivisions. The Town’s building, plumbing and demolition fee schedules are scanned images that could not be read, so only the electrical and engineering fees are given; ask the Building Department for the others.
What requires a building permit in the Town of Tonawanda?
Building permit fees are based on construction cost minus plumbing and electrical costs, which take separate permits and fees. Commercial permit applications need the application signed by the contractor and two sets of plans; the code enforcement officer may require plans stamped by a New York State registered design professional.
Under Local Law 3-88, a property transfer in the town needs a certificate of compliance for the storm/sanitary system, issued after a town sump pump inspection booked with the Building Department.
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 Tonawanda?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Building Department | Plan review; building, electrical, plumbing and sump pump permits; zoning compliance; ZBA applications; 2005 Sheridan Drive, Suite 210 | (716) 877-8801 |
| Plumbing inspector | Plumbing permits and inspections | (716) 877-8801 |
| Electrical inspector | Electrical inspection applications | (716) 877-8807 |
| Technical Support Department | Minor subdivisions (two or three lots) | See the Building Department page |
| Planning Board | Site plan approval; meets 2919 Delaware Ave., Room 21, Kenmore, NY 14217 | First Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm |
Demolition, subdivisions and engineering permits in Tonawanda
Demolition
Before a demolition permit is issued, a demolition contractor licensed in the Town of Tonawanda must submit a property survey, a water and sewer disconnect permit from the town Water Resources Department, and an asbestos survey and clearance letter.
Subdivisions and site plans
Minor subdivisions (two or three lots) go to the Technical Support Department and take about 45 days from a complete application. Major subdivisions (four or more lots) need sketch plan then plat approval and can take up to 90 days. The Planning Board has site plan approval authority under Chapter 215-70.53 of the zoning code.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Floodplain and stormwater
Town engineering fees include a Floodplain Development Permit of $100 plus a $500.00 deposit for reimbursable costs, stormwater permit review of $500.00 up to 5 acres, and a Public Improvement Permit of $500.00 per permit.
Town of Tonawanda permit costs and fees
The building, plumbing and demolition fee schedules are posted only as scanned images; ask the Building Department for those amounts. Electrical permit fees effective January 2, 2026 include:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New 1 or 2 family home, 2000 sq. ft or less | $250.00 |
| New 1 or 2 family home, over 2000 sq. ft | $325.00 |
| Add 1 to 10 outlets or one EV charge station | $75.00 |
| New one-meter residential service | $125.00 |
| Residential solar up to 15 Kw | $150.00 |
Contractor, electrician and plumber licences in the Town of Tonawanda
The town licenses contractors, master plumbers and master electricians through the Building Department. A building permit application must be completed by a licensed contractor; owners or tenants who want to do the work themselves must first get a contractor’s licence. Electrical and plumbing work must be done by a licensed electrical or plumbing contractor. Town contractor licensees must carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Plumbing permits come from the town plumbing inspector, who inspects before concealment. Electrical inspection applications go to the town electrical inspector at (716) 877-8807, and work must be inspected before concealment.
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 Tonawanda
Hire a town-licensed contractor, or get a contractor’s licence first if you will do the work yourself.
Commercial work needs the application signed by the contractor and two sets of plans, stamped by a registered design professional if the code enforcement officer requires it.
Plans are reviewed in the order received. Commercial interior renovation review is generally done within 14 days but can take as long as 60 days in peak construction season.
Electrical and plumbing work takes its own permits and fees.
Book the sump pump inspection for the storm/sanitary certificate of compliance at (716) 877-8801.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Every permit carries an expiration date set by the Town of Tonawanda, 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 Tonawanda
For residential work the owner or contractor must call for inspections at stake-out (before digging), excavation and forms, rough framing, insulation (before drywall) and final. Building and electrical inspectors are in the office to schedule inspections between 8:00 am and 9:00 am or 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm.
Commercial inspections are booked first-come, first-served by calling (716) 877-8801 Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 9:30 am or 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.
Official Town of Tonawanda 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 →- Town of Tonawanda Building Department
- Tonawanda building permits, licensing and inspections
- Tonawanda electrical permit fees
- Tonawanda engineering fees
- Tonawanda Planning Board
Frequently asked questions
Can a homeowner get a Town of Tonawanda building permit?
Only with a licence: the application must be completed by a licensed contractor, so owners or tenants doing the work themselves must first get a contractor’s licence.
When do Tonawanda inspectors take residential inspection calls?
They are in the office to schedule inspections between 8:00 am and 9:00 am or 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm.
Is anything needed to sell a house in the Town of Tonawanda?
Yes. Under Local Law 3-88 a transfer needs a storm/sanitary certificate of compliance, issued after a town sump pump inspection.
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 Tonawanda permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.