Skip to main content

Building Code Review

PERMIT OFFICE CHANGES  

  • The Certificate of Occupancy Program has relocated to room 028B.  The office hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
  • Any questions regarding the C Of O program, please email cofo@cityofrochester.gov.
  • Walk-in service for the Building Permit and Zoning offices will be available: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. 
  • Email, telephone, and online permit submissions will be available daily.  

 More information on building permits

The Bureau of Buildings and Compliance is responsible for reviewing all documents submitted to the City of Rochester for a Building Permit. Plans must comply with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, which includes the following specific codes: 

  • New York State Building Code
  • New York State Fire Code
  • New York State Mechanical Code
  • New York State Fuel Gas Code
  • New York State Plumbing Code
  • New York State Residential Code
  • New York State Property Maintenance Code
  • New York State Existing Building Code

Reference Codes such as the following are also reviewed, as well as the New York State Energy Conservation Code: 

  • NFPA - (Fire Alarms, Sprinkler Systems, etc.)
  • ICC/ANSI - (Handicapped Accessibility)
  • ASME - (Elevators and the National Elevator Code)

Plan reviews for large projects often require multiple reviews, such as for

  • Building
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Elevator
  • Fire Department codes 

Permit Submission

Permit submissions shall comply with Section 39-208 of the City Charter. 

All residential and commercial projects require 2 complete sets of construction documents. A complete set of the approved construction documents will be returned to the applicant when the permit is approved. 

Project Close-out 

The term 'Developer' is intended to refer to the project developer or property owner who is responsible for the construction of the project. During the construction of the project, the developer shall be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date set of 'As-Built' drawings at the project site.

An electronic copy of the 'As-Built' drawing is required to be submitted to the Building Inspector or Permit Office prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance.

Our preferred method of submission is to upload your 'electronic plans or testing documents' of any size to the City of Rochester Plan Review page for 'As-Built' drawings and 'Final Documents ONLY'. 

Visit the Plan Review page

  • All electronic documents must be saved in either TIFF or PDF-A format.
  • If plans are designed in CAD, they cannot be layered.
  • The plans and documents must be labeled with the 'permit number and property address'. 

Large plans and testing documents can also be submitted via DVD or CD-R (Not Re-Writable) disk.  Small to medium plans or testing documents can be submitted via Flash Drive.  Small plans or testing documents may also be e-mailed to the building inspector.

Please note the following:

  • The City does not provide design services. 
  • Applicants are responsible for providing plans with sufficient code information to conduct a complete code review. 
  • Required documents may vary based on the project size and complexity.