The Town of Union Permits/Code Enforcement Department enforces the town zoning ordinances, the Uniform Code and the Flood Damage Prevention Local Law, and issues building, sewer and water permits. It is at 3111 E. Main Street, Endwell, NY 13760, phone (607) 786-2920, open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Call to make an appointment before visiting so that a Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer is available.
This guide covers the Code Enforcement Department, what needs a permit in the town, fees, electrical permits, excavation in the right-of-way and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
What requires a building permit in the Town of Union?
A permit is needed for roofs (including go-overs), siding, pools, sheds and decks of any size, roof- or ground-mounted solar panels, whole-house generators, and new or replacement fireplaces, chimneys and solid-fuel appliances. Driveways, concrete pads with no structure, aluminum storm windows, gutters and fences need no permit.
Solid fences must be set back eight feet from the front property line, with the finished side facing the neighbours; maximum height is six feet residential and ten feet commercial, with restrictions. The town requires an asbestos survey for all renovation, remodeling, repair and demolition work on interior and exterior building materials.
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 Union?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Permits/Code Enforcement Department | Building, sewer and water permits; zoning and flood law enforcement; Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm | (607) 786-2920 |
| Planning Director | Planning; Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm | (607) 786-2977 |
| Zoning Officer | Zoning; Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm | (607) 786-2921 |
Zoning appeals and street work in the Town of Union
Zoning Board of Appeals
The seven-member Zoning Board of Appeals grants area and use variances and hears disputes over the Building Inspector’s decisions. The application fee is $100 for a residential variance and $200 for a non-residential variance.
Sewer and water laterals
Sewer and water lateral work needs a $25.00 excavation permit. Excavation in the town right-of-way also needs a $5,000.00 street opening bond on file with the Town Clerk and a street opening, sidewalk or curb permit from the Highway Superintendent. Give 6 hours’ notice for the lateral inspection before covering.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Town of Union permit costs and fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New 1- or 2-family homes and residential additions/alterations | $10.00 for the first $2,000 plus $2.00 per $1,000 after |
| New commercial/industrial and multi-family | $25.00 for the first $2,000 plus $3.50 per $1,000 after |
| Garages, patios, decks, pools and siding | $25.00 for the first $10,000 plus $2.00 per $1,000 after |
| Excavation permit | $25.00 |
| Zoning compliance letter, one- or two-family home | $15.00 |
| Certificate of compliance, one- or two-family home | $25.00 |
Starting work without a permit increases the fee by 100%. Building permits, zoning compliance letters, certificate of compliance letters and variance fees can be paid online, but only after the Code Enforcement Office has received and processed all documents; the processing fee is $1.00 on payments up to $33 and 3% on larger amounts. Do not mail checks with applications; the office will call with the amount due.
Electrical permits in the Town of Union
All electrical installations need an electrical permit, and the work is inspected by private agencies approved by NYSEG. The town will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy until it has confirmation that an approved agency passed the electrical work.
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
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in the Town of Union
Make an appointment at (607) 786-2920 so a Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer is available.
Submit a plot plan and two sets of construction plans; one approved set must stay on the site. Projects with plans larger than 11 by 17 inches also submit as-built plans as a PDF.
An architect’s or engineer’s stamp is required for commercial and industrial work costing over $20,000 or involving structural changes, for residential structures over 1,500 square feet, and for any non-conventional framing or construction.
Do not mail a check; the office calls with the amount due, which can then be paid online. Most permits are issued within 2 weeks of a complete submittal; Planning Board or ZBA approval adds time.
Display it in a prominent place such as a front window. It is valid for 12 months and is voided if construction has not started within 6 months.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Every permit carries an expiration date set by the Town of Union, 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 Union
Notify the inspector as set out on the permit application and do not cover work until it is inspected; inspectors have up to 3 days to respond to an inspection request. New buildings and additions need a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy, requested by the owner or contractor.
Official Town of Union 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 Union Code Enforcement / Building Permits
- Town of Union building permit requirements
- Town of Union building permit fees
- Town of Union electrical permits
- Town of Union excavation permits
- Town of Union certificates of occupancy
- Town of Union Zoning Board of Appeals
- Town of Union Planning and Zoning
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does a small shed or deck need a permit in the Town of Union?
Yes. Sheds and decks of any size need a permit, as do roofs (including go-overs), siding and pools.
Does a fence need a permit in the Town of Union?
No, but solid fences must be set back eight feet from the front property line and have the finished side facing the neighbours.
How do I pay for a Town of Union permit?
Wait until the Code Enforcement Office has processed your documents and calls with the amount due, then pay online; do not mail checks with applications.
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
- Prepare the application, insurance certificates and plans and file them online or at the counter
- Schedule the 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 Union permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.