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Inspections > New Construction

New Construction

Address - 312 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone - 716-851-4937
Fax - 716-851-5506

The New Construction Division of the Department of Permit and Inspection Services consists of a Chief Building Inspector and a series of Building Inspectors assigned to inspect newly built structures or major renovations. The final step in the inspection process within the division of New Construction is the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy and/or Certificate of Compliance. The type of work or renovation being done determines which of these certificates is issued. As a general rule, a certificate of occupancy is issued for an entire structure or building as compared to a Certificate of Compliance which is issued for work or renovations completed to code within a specific section of a building or structure. To this end, the Building Inspector working in the New Construction Division must also coordinate the efforts of the other inspectors where required such as electrical, plumbing, Department of Fire Division of Fire Prevention, Preservation, and Fuel Devices.

No work is to be performed prior to plan approval and the issuance of the applicable permit. Twenty-four (24) hour notification from the contractor or the home owner is highly recommended in order for timely inspections to occur. Do not wait until the last minute to call for an inspection as the inspector's work is inputted the day before. The building inspector must approve each stage in the construction process, foundation, framing, mechanicals, drywall, and finished product. Electrical, plumbing, and fuel device inspectors can not inspect work through a finished wall. Framing can not be inspected in this fashion either. This advanced scheduling allows the inspectors time to schedule their inspections and verify the scope and nature of the work performed.