Building Department

Why do we have a Building Department?

The Building Department is a resource for the Town of Wheatland regarding development and construction information, as well as providing enforcement of the New York State Building Code and relevant regulations specified in the Town Code.

What services are provided?

The Building Department issues various permits (i.e., building permits, sign permits, operating permits, special event permits), provides enforcement of the New York State Building Code, relevant Town Code and conditional approvals from other municipal Boards. Building Department and Fire Marshal Staff conduct plan reviews and construction inspections for new building construction, alterations and additions of existing buildings and occupancies. Additionally, Building Department and Fire Marshal Staff are tasked with doing required fire safety inspections, operating and special permit inspections, property maintenance inspections and investigating zoning complaints.  The Building Department also serves as the development liaison to the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and other Boards and Committees of the Town. See Building Department FAQs for answers to common inquiries.

What are the Fire Marshal’s responsibilities?

The Town Fire Marshal is responsible for the enforcement of local ordinances regarding fire prevention and precaution. The Office of the Fire Marshal works with local fire districts to furnish and receive information regarding fire hazards, and pre-planning fire fighting procedures on all local building stocks.

Building Permit Requirements

The following provides examples where building permits are required:

Structural

  • Any erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition, conversion or change in use occupancy.

  • New Single or Multi Family Dwellings.

  • New Commercial Buildings, additions, renovations, change of use or reconfiguration of space.

  • Additions/Renovations.

  • Demolition of any building, structure or project that required a building permit to construct.

  • Mobile homes.

  • Porches, decks, pool decks, arbors, sunrooms, greenhouses and gazebos.

  • Satellite dishes (large ones, not DISH network or Primestar receivers)

  • Garages and carports (attached and detached)

  • Converting a garage to living space

  • Finished Basements, Bonus Rooms and any areas previously unfinished

  • Replacement of any project that required a Building Permit (i.e., deck, shed, pool). Note that all replacement projects must comply with current Zoning and Building Code requirements.

Heating

  • Installation or replacement of a fuel fired appliance (furnace/boiler) including change of fuels.

  • Heat Pumps, fireplaces, pellet stoves, wood stoves, gas fireplaces, LP gas appliances or fireplaces with inserts and solar thermal systems.

  • Removal, replacement, installation or abandonment of fuel tanks including propane.

Exterior

  • Roofs, decks, porches and entryways- any size.

  • Any pool capable of holding 24 inches of water (above or in ground). 

  • Hot tubs, spas.

  • Fences

  • Accessory structures, including, but not limited to: sheds, carports, detached garages, gazebos and greenhouses (note that ALL accessory structures that have electricity must have a building permit).

Electric

Any new or additional wiring including but not limited to:

  • Central air conditioning, Ductless air conditioning, Heat Pumps

  • Upgrades of electric service 

  • Solar Electric Arrays and Systems

Plumbing

  • Any changes in configuration or additional piping.

Code Enforcement

The Building Department is the principal code enforcement agency of the Town for many non-police matters. In addition to enforcing local zoning and the New York State Uniform Building and Fire Prevention Codes, which regulate the use and occupancy of private land and structures, the Building Department is responsible for the enforcement of local laws related to exterior property maintenance such as garbage, rubbish, recycling and refuse, street and sidewalk cleaning and maintenance (including snow removal); posting of signs in public rights-of-way and distribution of flyers and handbills.