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Building Inspector / Code Enforcement
Responsibilities of the Office of Code Enforcement
The Office Code Enforcement is charged with the enforcement of
the following national, state, and local codes and
ordinances...
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1. The National Electric Code
2. The New York State Fire Protection and Building Codes
3. The New York State Multiple Residence Law.
4. The City of Schenectady Building and Plumbing Standard
Ordinance.
5. The City of Schenectady Electrical Standards Ordinance.
6. The City of Schenectady Housing Standards Ordinance.
7. The City of Schenectady Swimming Pool Ordinance.
8. The City of Schenectady Certificate of Occupancy Ordinance.
9. The City of Schenectady Rental Certificate Ordinance.
10. The City of Schenectady Zoning Ordinance.
11. The City of Schenectady Vermin Infestation Ordinance.
12. The City of Schenectady Intensive Code Enforcement Plan.
13. The issuance of appearance tickets.
14. Electrical repairs to City Administrative Buildings.
15. Plumbing repairs to City Administrative Buildings.
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The Code Enforcement / Building Inspectors Office conduct
business from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with
the exception of summer hours which are 8:00 to 4:00 Monday
through Friday.
Inspectors and secretaries alternate schedules to open the
office to accommodate contractors and homeowners seeking
permits. All permits (Building, Electrical, and Plumbing) are
issued from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm each
day Monday through Friday.
During these periods the staff also takes complaints, provides
information, schedules inspections, fill out reports. You may
Contact this office either by phone @ (518) 382-5050 or in
person.
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The City of Schenectady has adopted the following codes:
• International Building Code, 2003 edition
• International Residential Code, 2003 edition
• International Plumbing Code, 2003 edition
• International Mechanical Code, 2003 edition
• International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 edition
• International Fire Code, 2003 edition
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2003 edition
• National Electrical Code, 2002 edition
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Housing Issues
This office handles all types of housing issues and complaints
from tenants, landlords and the general public. We follow up
on all bona-fide complaints involving life safety issues such
as: unsanitary conditions, poor living conditions, fires, fire
hazards, unsafe electrical equipment, plumbing, heat and
heating units, or other dangerous conditions. If you feel
there is a life safety issue we should know about, please do
not hesitate to call us.
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What types of violations does this office deal with?
The Office Code Enforcement responds to violations of the City
of Schenectady Housing Ordinance, including rental housing
complaints. We also enforce zoning ordinance violations in
residential areas. Examples of the types of violations that we
have enforcement powers over are: deteriorated roofs or
chipped and peeling paint, swimming pools that are
deteriorated or have stagnant water, interior violations of
rental or owner occupied properties and any other housing
issues which may affect the quality of life of the occupant or
neighbors, etc.
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How do I know if a violation exists?
There are many types of violations, too many to list here.
Some of the more common violations are described below. The
first thing you must keep in mind is that differences in
personal opinions or choices do not make a violation. In order
for a violation to exist, there must be a definite violation
of a city code or ordinance.
For example, if your neighbor paints his house a color you
aren't happy with, it isn't a code violation.
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Some other basic housing code violations include:
• Roofs that are not weather tight.
• Substandard or inoperable plumbing, electrical wiring or
heating systems.
• Deteriorated and unsound structures.
• Open cracks and breaks in foundation walls.
• Lack of adequate heat and hot water.
• Holes and rotting boards in exterior walls.
• Open and vacant structures.
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Building Permits
BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE
FOLLOWING TYPES OF WORK:
1. Accessory structures exceeding 100 square feet, including
pre-built sheds, etc.
2. ANY electrical work...no matter how trivial it may seem.
3. Solid fuel burning apparatuses, now known as FIREPLACE
STOVES, (wood or coal).
4. Pools, pool decks, home decks, patios, sun porches etc.
5. New homes built.
6. All commercial buildings, regardless of size.
7. Interior renovations….no matter how small (contact office
for further information)8. Replacement windows.
9. Roofing.
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Building Permit Application Process
1. Apply in person at the Office of Code Enforcement located @
City Hall 105 Jay Street room 17.
2.Fill out completely and legibly all of the following:
a. A plot plan showing all buildings already
onsite, including the proposed one(s) and distance separations
from each other and the property lines.
b. Proof of insurance, if required. Call us and ask.
c. A material list showing sizes of headers, floor joists,
wall studs, R-values of walls, floors and ceilings. A REScheck*
may need to be done to ascertain NYS Energy Code Compliance.
d. A detailed cutaway plan showing footer depth, width and
thickness. reinforcement rod, wall height, footer drainage
with anticipated stone and filtering material, and framing
details.
e. The applicable fee, call for a quote
3. You also must contact the Zoning Office to see if your
proposed project meets the zoning requirements for that area.
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NYS Required Inspections
• Footers before pouring
• Foundation walls before backfill
• Framing before enclosing
• Plumbing
• Electrical (by NYS certified inspectors)
• Insulation
• Final for your certificate of occupancy
When a permit is issued these inspections as required must be
completed satisfactorily before the project may continue.
PLEASE DO NOT START WORK WITHOUT YOUR
PERMIT
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