Unincorporated Hamilton County

Building permits are required for most construction in New York. Because Hamilton County is opted-out, private applicants must obtain permits from the local town, city, or village. All projects in Hamilton County may also be subject to Adirondack Park Agency review.

• Exempt Work exempt from state code may still require local permits; confirm with your town or village.
• Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance may be exempt (verify with local jurisdiction).
• Exempt Some accessory structures under specified sizes (varies by town).

Note: Exemption rules vary significantly by town. Always confirm with your local code enforcement office before proceeding.

Building code

New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (adopted by local jurisdictions)

Permit validity

Permit validity periods are set by each local jurisdiction, typically 6-12 months.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may be permitted to perform work on owner-occupied residential property. Confirm requirements with your local jurisdiction.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid New York State license if required for the trade. Verify requirements with the local jurisdiction.

1. 01
   Identify the town, city, or village where your project is located.
2. 02
   Contact the local building or code enforcement office for that jurisdiction.
3. 03
   Request the local building permit application and fee schedule.
4. 04
   Submit your application, plans, and fees to the local office.
5. 05
   Local office reviews and processes your permit application.
6. 06
   Obtain inspections as required by the local jurisdiction.
7. 07
   If your project is in the Adirondack Park (all of Hamilton County), also contact the Adirondack Park Agency for APA review and permitting if required for your project type.

Typical processing time: Processing times vary by local jurisdiction and APA review requirements. Allow 2-4 weeks minimum.

Source: New York Department of State, Code Inspection Unit ↗

Payment methods and processing vary by local jurisdiction.

• Contact your local town or village code enforcement office (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Varies by local jurisdiction.

Inspection hours

Hours vary by local jurisdiction.

Time windows

Inspection windows vary by local jurisdiction.

Typical sequence: Inspection sequence depends on project type and local requirements. Coordinate with your local code enforcement officer.

Remote inspections may be available in some jurisdictions; confirm with your local office.