City Building Permits
Town of Danby, NY - Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Town of Danby, New York. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the Town of Danby.
- Department
- Danby Code Enforcement
- Address
- Town Hall, 1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
- Phone
- (607) 277-4788
- code@danby.ny.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Custom application system • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Review permit requirements and obtain the building permit application.
- Complete the application with all required information and supporting documents.
- Submit to the Code Enforcement office.
- Pay the applicable permit fee.
- Complete applications with no special zoning review are generally issued within 2 or 3 days, depending on workload.
- Schedule inspections and complete construction.
Typical processing time: Generally 2 or 3 days for complete applications with no special zoning review.
Source: Danby Code Enforcement
General Requirements
Building permits are required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, demolition, and installation of a solid-fuel burning heating appliance, chimney, or flue in a dwelling unit.
Required Documents
- Building permit application
- Site plan
- Notice of ground disturbance worksheet
- Construction plans
- Septic permit from Tompkins County Health Department (if bedroom count is increasing)
- New York energy-compliance statement
- Workers' compensation insurance or exemption
- Agricultural activity notice
- Permit fee
- Asbestos survey (for demolition projects)
- Permit validity
- Varies; check with Code Enforcement.
- Building code
- New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and NYStretch Energy Code (adopted 2022)
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid licenses.
Fees
- Payment note
- All new residential construction is required to meet NYStretch Energy Code standards.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached one-story sheds/playhouses/similar accessory structures up to 144 square feet
- Swings or playground equipment
- Above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Fences not part of a swimming-pool enclosure
- Repairs that do not affect structural elements or means of egress
Important: Confirm specific exemptions with Code Enforcement.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and NYStretch Energy Code (adopted 2022)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Code Enforcement
- Building Permits
- Planning
- 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 Danby Code Enforcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Town of Danby Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Town of Danby, NY?
- Building permits are required for work that must conform to the Uniform Code and/or Energy Code, including construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation, demolition, and installation of a solid-fuel burning heating appliance, chimney, or flue in a dwelling unit.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Danby, NY?
- 1. Review permit requirements and obtain the building permit application. 2. Complete the application with all required information and supporting documents. 3. Submit to the Code Enforcement office. 4. Pay the applicable permit fee. 5. Complete applications with no special zoning review are generally issued within 2 or 3 days, depending on workload. 6. Schedule inspections and complete construction.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Danby, NY?
- Typical processing time is Generally 2 or 3 days for complete applications with no special zoning review..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Danby, NY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Detached one-story sheds/playhouses/similar accessory structures up to 144 square feet; Swings or playground equipment; Above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Fences not part of a swimming-pool enclosure; Repairs that do not affect structural elements or means of egress. Note: Confirm specific exemptions with Code Enforcement.
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