The City of Troy Bureau of Code Enforcement issues building permits, carries out construction and housing inspections, and issues certificates of occupancy and compliance. It is at 433 River Street, 5th Floor, Troy, NY 12180, phone 518-279-7180, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This guide covers the Bureau of Code Enforcement, the permit fees in the City Code, the City’s own electrician and plumber licences and right-of-way permits. The City’s posted fee schedule PDF could not be read, so fees come from the City Code.
What requires a building permit in the City of Troy?
The Building Permit Office, 433 River St, phone 518-687-1140, will say whether a project needs a permit. The fee is based on building cost, which includes general construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, but not land, landscaping, sidewalks or driveways. The applicant must back up the stated cost with bid sheets, proposals or contract documents; otherwise the Director of Code Enforcement sets the cost.
Work in the right-of-way takes separate city permits: excavation, encroachment, curb cut, and a barricade permit for dumpsters, moving pods, lifts or scaffolding, sidewalk repair and water/sewer line work.
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 City of Troy?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Code Enforcement | Building permits, inspections, certificates of occupancy, zoning enforcement; 433 River Street, 5th Floor | 518-279-7180 |
| Building Permit Office | Permit questions; 433 River St; Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 518-687-1140 |
| City Clerk | Master electrician and master plumber licences; 433 River Street, 5th Floor | 518-279-7134 |
| Planning Department | Planning; Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | 433 River Street, 5th Floor |
| Historic District & Landmarks Review Commission | Historic district and landmark review | c/o 433 River St., Troy NY 12180 |
Zoning and historic review in Troy
Troy’s zoning ordinance and zoning and use maps were enacted in April 2023, and the Bureau of Code Enforcement enforces the zoning ordinance. Historic district and landmark review is handled by the Historic District & Landmarks Review Commission.
City of Troy permit costs and fees
Fees are payable by check or cash only, with checks made payable to City of Troy. From the City Code:
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Building permit, up to $1,000 of work value | $100 minimum |
| $1,001 to $10,000 | plus $14 per $1,000 |
| $10,001 to $100,000 | plus $13 per $1,000 |
| $100,001 to $1,000,000 | plus $12 per $1,000 |
| Above $1,000,000 | plus $11 per $1,000 |
| Fence, up to 100 linear feet | $50 |
| Fence, from 101 linear feet | $100 |
| Fence, 201 or more linear feet | $150 |
| Miscellaneous permit not listed elsewhere | $100 |
| Demolition, per structure, up to 500 square feet (minimum) | $125 |
| Demolition, 501-1,000 | $200 |
| Demolition, 1,001-2,000 | $350 |
| Demolition, 2,001-3,000 | $500 |
| Demolition, 3,001 and up | $800 |
Electrical, plumbing and pool permits use the same table as building permits. If a project is not finished within one year of permit issue, a one-time renewal permit keeps the original approvals for one more year; it costs $100 up to $50,000 of value, rising to $300 from $300,001 up.
Electrician and plumber licences in the City of Troy
Troy licenses its own master electricians and master plumbers through the City Clerk (433 River Street, 5th Floor, 518-279-7134).
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →- Master electricians: about six years of experience, review by the Board of Electrical Examiners, a $100 exam and a $200 licence fee, renewed yearly by December 15.
- Electricians licensed elsewhere: a Class B licence for each Troy job, $200 residential (3 or fewer units), $300 antenna/solar, $500 commercial.
- Master plumbers: at least five years of continuous employment in the plumbing trade, a $100 exam on the New York State Plumbing Code (pass mark 75%), and a $200 licence that expires every December 31.
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 City of Troy
Call the Building Permit Office at 518-687-1140 to find out whether the project needs a permit.
There is no online filing: pick up the application at the Code Enforcement office in City Hall or download it.
Attach bid sheets, proposals or contract documents to support the stated building cost.
Permits that need plan review are issued by appointment only; non-review permits such as barricade and siding permits can be issued to walk-ins.
Checks are made payable to City of Troy.
Rather not deal with the City of Troy building department?
Get a free quote →Every permit carries an expiration date set by the City of Troy, 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 City of Troy
Inspections are requested by calling Code Enforcement at 518-279-7180 during business hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The City Code approves these agencies to inspect electrical work in Troy: New York Board of Fire Underwriters, New York Atlantic-Inland, Middle Department Inspection Agency, Commonwealth Electrical Inspection Services, Allied Electrical Inspection Agency and The Inspector, LLC.
Official City of Troy 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 →- City of Troy Bureau of Code Enforcement
- Troy building permits
- Troy City Code: permit fees and electrical inspection agencies
- Troy electrician licences
- Troy plumber licences
- Troy right-of-way forms and permits
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a Troy building permit online?
No. Pick up the application at the Code Enforcement office in City Hall or download it; permits needing plan review are issued by appointment only.
Does Troy license electricians and plumbers?
Yes. The City Clerk issues master electrician and master plumber licences, and an electrician licensed elsewhere needs a Class B licence for each Troy job.
Can I pay Troy permit fees by card?
No. Fees are payable by check or cash only, with checks made payable to City of Troy.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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- Confirm the office for the parcel and the zoning, historic or street approvals that go with the permit
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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 City of Troy permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.