Building Permits in Onondaga County, New York
Adopted Construction Codes
These are the state-level code editions for New York. They apply in Onondaga Countyunless a verified local adoption or amendment is noted — in local-adoption states, confirm the city or county's own code editions with the building department.
Permit Requirements
Statewide baseline under the codes as adopted by New York. Local amendments and fee schedules for Onondaga County are being verified — use the building department contacts to confirm before you build.
Exemptions: The NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) applies statewide except in New York City, which keeps its own construction codes under Executive Law § 383. Under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1), every local code-enforcement program must require building permits for work that must conform to the Uniform Code, but each city, town, or village may exempt only the specific categories listed in § 1203.3(a)(1)(i)-(viii) (e.g., sheds up to 144 sq ft, finish work like painting and tiling, like-for-like equipment replacement, and non-structural repairs). Permits are issued locally, and municipalities may adopt more stringent requirements, so always confirm with the local code office.
Exemptions: Decks are not among the categories of work a municipality is permitted to exempt under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1)(i)-(viii), so building a deck is Uniform Code-regulated work that generally requires a building permit from the local authority having jurisdiction statewide (outside New York City). New York has no statewide 200 sq ft / 30-inch deck exemption like model IRC R105.2. Confirm specifics with the local code office, which may have additional requirements.
Exemptions: Permanent electrical wiring work is Uniform Code-regulated and generally requires a building permit from the local authority; under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1)(vi) a municipality may exempt only the installation of listed portable electrical equipment or appliances, and under (vii) like-for-like equipment replacement. Many jurisdictions also require third-party electrical inspection. New York City is excluded and enforces its own electrical code; always confirm local requirements.
Exemptions: Under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1)(viii), a municipality may exempt from the permit requirement 'repairs' that do not impact fire and life safety, such as any part of the structural system, the required means of egress, or the fire protection system; whether a given roof-covering replacement qualifies as an exempt repair is decided by each local jurisdiction. Work involving structural roof components is not exemptible. Check the local code-enforcement office; NYC has its own code.
Exemptions: NYS DOS (Code Outreach Program Issue 2024-02) states that retaining walls are exempt from the Uniform Code when they do not directly affect a regulated building, a means of egress, or an accessible route — New York's statewide code sets no 4-foot height trigger like the model IRC. A wall that supports or affects a building, egress path, or accessible route is regulated and generally needs a permit. Local governments may impose their own stricter permit, zoning, or engineering requirements, so verify locally; NYC follows its own code.
Exemptions: Under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1)(i), a local government may exempt from the building-permit requirement one-story detached structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings or townhouses used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 144 sq ft; NYS DOS confirms this in Code Outreach Program Issue 2024-02. The exemption is optional for each municipality, and a permit exemption is not an exemption from complying with the Uniform Code itself. Does not apply in New York City, which has its own code; check the local law where you are building.
Exemptions: Under 19 NYCRR § 1203.3(a)(1)(vi)-(vii), a municipality may exempt installation of listed portable plumbing/heating equipment and replacement of any equipment provided the replacement does not alter the equipment's listing or render it inconsistent with the equipment's original specifications — which can cover a like-for-like water heater swap where the locality has adopted that exemption. If the local program has not adopted it, a permit is required. Verify with the local code office; NYC follows its own code.
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