County Building Permits
St. Lawrence County, NY - Unincorporated Area Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Lawrence County, New York. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Outside the City of Ogdensburg and outside incorporated village limits; permit authority ordinarily is the town where the parcel is located.
- Department
- Town Code Enforcement (varies by town)
- Address
- Varies by town; see County Clerk Roster
- Phone
- Varies by town
Application Process
- Determine the town where your property is located.
- Contact the town Code Enforcement Officer for permit requirements and application forms.
- Verify whether your property is within an incorporated village; if so, contact the village first.
- Prepare required construction documents per town and applicable code requirements.
- Submit application to town Code Enforcement Officer with all required materials.
- Pay permit fees as established by the town.
- Schedule required inspections with the town office.
- Obtain certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
General Requirements
Under 19 NYCRR Part 1202, a building permit is required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code unless a listed exemption applies.
- Building code
- New York State Uniform Code; Energy Code; local municipal codes
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact individual town office for current fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures up to 144 square feet (in some cases)
- Certain finish work
- Swings and playground equipment for one- or two-family dwellings
- Some other narrow categories as listed in 19 NYCRR Part 1202
Important: Exemptions do not authorize code-noncompliant work. Confirm applicability with town Code Enforcement Officer before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: New York State Uniform Code; Energy Code; local municipal codes
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County Facts
- County Municipal Websites List
- 2026 County Clerk Roster
- County Local Land Use Regulations
- NY DOS Administration and Enforcement
- 19 NYCRR Part 1202
- 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 Code Enforcement (varies by town) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Lawrence County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Lawrence County, NY?
- Under 19 NYCRR Part 1202, a building permit is required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code or Energy Code unless a listed exemption applies.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Lawrence County, NY?
- 1. Determine the town where your property is located. 2. Contact the town Code Enforcement Officer for permit requirements and application forms. 3. Verify whether your property is within an incorporated village; if so, contact the village first. 4. Prepare required construction documents per town and applicable code requirements. 5. Submit application to town Code Enforcement Officer with all required materials. 6. Pay permit fees as established by the town. 7. Schedule required inspections with the town office. 8. Obtain certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Lawrence County, NY?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 144 square feet (in some cases); Certain finish work; Swings and playground equipment for one- or two-family dwellings; Some other narrow categories as listed in 19 NYCRR Part 1202. Note: Exemptions do not authorize code-noncompliant work. Confirm applicability with town Code Enforcement Officer before proceeding.
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