City Building Permits
Town of Catharine, NY - Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of Catharine, New York. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the Town of Catharine, excluding land within the incorporated villages.
- Department
- Town of Catharine Code Enforcement Office
- Address
- 5182 Park Road, Odessa, NY 14869
- Phone
- (607) 594-2273
- Website
- https://townofcatharine.com/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper/Email • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Download the building permit application from the town's Forms and Permits page or obtain it from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Complete the application with property description, present and proposed use, owner/applicant information, and description of work.
- Prepare two copies of construction plans and specifications.
- Submit completed application and plans to the Code Enforcement Officer or town clerk during office hours.
- Pay the permit fee.
- Obtain permit before starting any work.
Typical processing time: Variable; generally 1-4 weeks depending on application completeness and required reviews.
General Requirements
A building permit is required for erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition, conversion, or change in occupancy of any building or structure, except ordinary non-structural repairs.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Two copies of plans and specifications
- Property description
- Owner and applicant information
- Description of proposed work
- Permit validity
- Valid for one year from issuance.
- Building code
- New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may file directly with the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid New York State licenses and insurance as required.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $40
- Plan check fee
- Included in permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- $40 for projects under $20,000; $2 per $1,000 for projects over $20,000
- Payment note
- Payment due upon permit issuance. Method to be confirmed with town.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Ordinary repairs that are not structural in nature
Important: Confirm with Code Enforcement Officer whether proposed work qualifies as exempt ordinary repair.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (607) 594-2273 (phone)
- tcathcode@empireaccess.net (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact Code Enforcement Officer to arrange inspection schedule.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday during business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer as necessary to enforce local law.
Additional Resources
- Building code: New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
- Verify contractor license: New York State Licensing
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Town of Catharine Website
- Unified Solar Permit Application
- License lookup guide: New York Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: New York Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- New York hub: New York Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Catharine Code Enforcement Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of Catharine Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of Catharine, NY?
- A building permit is required for erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition, conversion, or change in occupancy of any building or structure, except ordinary non-structural repairs.
- How much does a building permit cost in Town of Catharine, NY?
- The minimum permit fee is $40. Fees are calculated as: $40 for projects under $20,000; $2 per $1,000 for projects over $20,000. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Catharine, NY?
- 1. Download the building permit application from the town's Forms and Permits page or obtain it from the Code Enforcement Officer. 2. Complete the application with property description, present and proposed use, owner/applicant information, and description of work. 3. Prepare two copies of construction plans and specifications. 4. Submit completed application and plans to the Code Enforcement Officer or town clerk during office hours. 5. Pay the permit fee. 6. Obtain permit before starting any work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Catharine, NY?
- Typical processing time is Variable; generally 1-4 weeks depending on application completeness and required reviews..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Catharine, NY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs that are not structural in nature. Note: Confirm with Code Enforcement Officer whether proposed work qualifies as exempt ordinary repair.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Catharine, NY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (607) 594-2273, tcathcode@empireaccess.net. Contact Code Enforcement Officer to arrange inspection schedule..
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