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Site Plan Approvals
If your project requires Major or Minor Site Plan approval, please contact John Fell (716-851-4533 - jfell@buffalony.gov - https://www.buffalony.gov/343/Planning-and-Zoning ) to get on the agenda for the next available meeting. Your project will have to be registered with the permit department prior to being added to any Planning / Zoning meeting(s).  John will also need additional documentation submitted via email to add your project to the meeting agenda.


Preservation Board Approvals 
If your project requires the approval of the Preservation Board, please contact Chris Hawley (chawley@buffalony.gov) to get on the agenda for the next available meeting. Your project will have to be registered with the permit department prior to being added to any Preservation Board meeting(s).  Chris will also need additional documentation submitted via email to add your project to the meeting agenda.


Department of Public Works Permits 
For projects involving encroachments, curb cuts, or work within the right of way, please reach out to Sarah Cartwright (716-851-5366 - scartwright@buffalony.gov), Nolan Skipper (716-851-5629 - nskipper@buffalony.gov), or Joe Brown (716-851-4903 - jabrown@buffalony.gov) at the Department of Public Works (DPW). You may be required to submit additional documentation via email to obtain any necessary permits.


Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing Permits
If your project involves any Mechanical, Electrical, or Plumbing work, please ensure that the appropriate permits for each discipline are secured before starting any work on those systems. Contact the relevant individuals below if you have specific questions or need further information:


Specific Work Requiring Multiple Permits:

  • Geothermal Work: (4) permits required – Repair, Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing
  • Solar Work: (2) permits required – Repair & Electrical
  • EV Car Charger Work: (2) permits required – Repair & Electrical
  • EV Battery Storage Work: (2) permits required – Repair & Electrical
  • Elevator: (2) permits required – Repair & Elevator


What permit should I apply for?

  • Billboard: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing billboard.
  • Certificate of Occupancy/Certificate of Compliance: if applying for a new or an updated CoO / CoC.
  • Change or Alteration of Use: if applying to change/alter the use of the building’s zoning without changes to the occupancy classification within the Building Code of NYS.
  • Demolition: if applying to take down an existing building or portion thereof.
  • Fence & Driveway: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing fence/driveway.
  • Garage & Shed: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing garage or shed.
  • General Construction: if applying to change the use of a building according to the occupancy classification within the Building Code of NYS, construct a new building, or an addition to an existing building.
  • Interior Build-Out: if applying to change the use of an existing tenant space to a different occupancy classification within the Building Code of NYS or to build out a portion of an existing building.
  • Interior Tear-Out: if applying to do interior demolition work to an existing building.
  • Outdoor Cafe: if applying to install a new outdoor café area.
  • Parking Lot: if applying to construct a new, change the layout, or repair an existing parking lot down to substrate.  If you are only resurfacing an existing lot then apply for a Repair (Plans) permit.
  • Repair (No Plans): if applying to repair an existing building without any drawings or plans.
  • Repair (Plans): if applying to repair an existing building with drawings or plans.
  • Sign Installation: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing sign within the property.
  • Storage Tank Install/Removal: if applying to install a new tank or remove an existing tank.
  • Swimming Pool: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing swimming pool.
  • Tower Satellite: if applying to construct a new or repair an existing tower satellite.


Please ensure you have all necessary permits before proceeding with any work.

Our submission standards for plans can be found here. Please make sure to follow these standards so that we can most efficiently process your application.