Permits and Inspections
Plan Review ProcessCredit Card payment form for all permits, fees and applications
Related Online Documentation
- Application for Home Improvement Registration Certificate
- Home Improvement Contractor Application Requirements
- City Ordinance Chapter 1142 (Rental Dwelling Unit Registration Permit Process)
- Insurance Requirements
- Landlord Rental and Property Owner Registration/Renewal Packet 2023
- Procedure for Property Re-subdivision
- Short Term Rental Requirements
2023 Professional Lists
- 2023 Master Electricians List
- 2023 Master Plumber List
- 2023 Mechanical Contractor List
- 2023 Fire Protection List
Permit Applications - Residential/Commercial
- Sign Ordinance
- Electrical Installation Permit
- Fire Alarm Permit
- Mechanical Permit
- Plumbing Permit
- Towing Permit
- Security and Fire Alarm Permit
- Forestry Permit
- Encroachment
- Dumpster Permit Application
- Interior Permit Application
- Exterior Permit Application
- Sign Application
Requirements for Property Alterations
- Decks Requirements 2021
- Fence Requirements
- Detached Garage Requirements
- Residential Requirements for Additions
- Swimming Pool Requirements
- New Home Construction Requirements
- Ten (10) years of experience in the electrical industry doing electrical work in compliance with the national electric code consisting of at least 1,500 hours per year with documentation by the employer, in addition to graduation from a two-year or four-year New York State accredited college with a degree in an electrical-related discipline; or
- Ten (10) years of experience in the electrical industry doing electrical work in compliance with the national electric code consisting of at least 1,500 hours per year with documentation by the employer, in addition to 700 classroom hours of electrical course work approved by the Board with documentation of successful completion of such courses
- Prior to permitting any person to sit for the examination, the Board may require said person to appear before the Board to answer questions concerning his qualifications and to produce satisfactory documentation to enable the Board to determine whether he meets the eligibility requirements under subsection (b) hereof. After the Board has determined that an applicant is eligible to sit for the examination, the applicant shall pay an application fee in the sum of $125.00 together with all fees required by the outside agency, firm, or person conducting the licensing examination. Said application fee is not refundable, but shall be applied to the initial license fee should the applicant successfully complete the examination. (Amended 02/08/11).
- The test for the master electrician license shall be given annually at a time and place to be decided by the Board of Examiners. All applications shall be filed no later than the thirtieth day of June prior to the date on which the examination is scheduled, except that for the 2009 examination all applications must be filed by October 5, 2009. (Amended 09/22/09).
- Upon certification from the Board of Examiners that the applicant has successfully completed the examination, the City Clerk shall forthwith issue a master electrician license to the applicant upon payment of the required license fee.
- Any person who has previously applied for and been determined to be eligible to sit for the examination by the Board under the former provisions of this ordinance, and who has sat for said examination, and is not otherwise disqualified shall continue to be eligible to sit for said examination, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) hereof.
- An applicant who has violated any provision of Chapter 1113 of the Codified Ordinances in the twelve (12) month period proceeding the examination shall not be eligible to be seated for the examination.
Please note, the following is required when the application is submitted NO LATER THAN June 30th:
- A check in the amount of $125.00, made payable to “City of Niagara Falls”, after the Board approves your application.
- There may be an additional fee required on the exam date.
- Backup documentation must be attached to the application for all work/education experience listed on the application.
- Mail application to:
Department of Code Enforcement
Please download the PDF below:
Download
- Official Form of Business Documents
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- Certificate of Incorporation
- Partnership Agreement
- Business Certificate (D.B.A.- Doing Business As)
- Certificates of Insurance:
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- General Liability shall be $100,000 single limit, each occurrence, and $300,000 aggregate bodily injury and property damage. Such policy shall name the City of Niagara Falls, New York, as an additional party insured and shall not be canceled unless thirty (30) prior written notice has been given.
- New York State Workman’s Compensation Insurance
- New York State Disability Insurance
- Copy of a Legally Recognizable Contract Pursuant to the New York State Business Law
- Mechanical Contractor Application Fee:
- $175.00 Initial Filing Fee (make check payable to “City Controller”)
- $150.00 Annual Renewal Fee (make check payable to “City Controller”)
Once completed, the form can be submitted via:
Department of Code Enforcement
Please download the fillable PDF below:
Download
Any plumber that wishes to work in the City of Niagara Falls must first pass a test to become a Master Plumber. Below is the application information and form to apply for the test.
Chapter 1111.10 Licensing and Registration of Master Plumbers
Section I.
Applications for examination shall be properly filled out and acknowledged and filed with the Chairman of the Board and shall be accompanied by the fee of Seventy ($70.00), as required by law, before being received by the Board of Examiners. This fee is non-refundable.
Section II.
The applicant must state on oath his full name, residence, giving street and street number, the names of the parties, firms or corporations in whose service he has been and his business or employing during the five years immediately preceding the date of application, as well as the number of years during which he has been engaged in the trade, business or calling of plumbing.
Section III.
Two reputable citizens of Niagara Falls, New York, and a registered master plumber licensed in the City of Niagara Falls, New York, must certify that they are personally acquainted with the applicant and believe him to be of good moral character and temperate habits.
Section IV.
Falsehood or fraud in the application or examination shall be cause for dismissal of the application and refusal of the Certificate and shall be cause for revocation.
Section V.
The names and standing of all persons examined shall be formally entered on the records of the Board.
Section VI.
License Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of plumbing in this City or to imply to the public that he is engaged in the business of plumbing in this City unless he has obtained a license as a Master Plumber from the Board.
Section VII.
Qualifications. The application for a Master Plumber’s license shall have at least (10) ten years experience in the plumbing trade, five years of which shall be as a Journeyman Plumber, and shall obtain a Certificate of Competency from the Board.
Section VIII.
Applications. Applications shall be advertised at least once each year at the discretion of the Board. Applications from qualified candidates for examinations shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board at least 60 days prior to the examination. Each application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee. This application is non-refundable. The Clerk shall present said application at the next regular meeting of the Board. At this time, the Board shall review the application and determine the applicant’s qualifications to sit for the examination. Notice of the Board’s action shall be sent to the applicant within 30 days of said meeting. An applicant who qualifies must then pay a non-refundable fee.
Section IX.
Examinations. Examinations to qualified applicants shall be given at the time and place set by the Board. During the examination of the applicants, only the Board, the Clerk, and the applicants shall be present. All tests formatted by the Board shall be of such character as to fully test the fitness and qualifications of the applicant in the trade of plumbing. Each test shall be given in three parts: (1) questions on the Plumbing Code and Practical Plumbing; (2) drawings of plumbing installations; and (3) plumbing layout and aptitude. The applicant must attain a grade of at least 75 points in order to receive a Certificate of Competency. An applicant who has failed the test may notify of his intent to be re-examined by registered mail to the Chairman of the Board without having to file another application.
Section X.
It shall be the duty of every employing and Master Plumber, before he shall engage in the trade, business or calling of plumbing, after having passed a satisfactory examination as provided in the foregoing sections, to present his Certificate of Competency to the Board and register his name and address at the office of the Board in a book provided by said Board of the purpose.
Section XI.
It shall be the duty of every employing or Master Plumber, in case he shall change his address after registering the same as provided in the previous Section, to notify the Board of such change within five (5) days after the same shall be made.
Section XII.
The Plumbing Board shall publish in the official paper, a list of all registered licensed Master Plumbers in said City, between the 1st and 15th days of January or as often as required by the Chairman of the Plumbing Board.
Section XIII.
If the application is rejected, the fee will be forfeited.
Section XIV.
These Rules will become effective for applications filed with the Board after July 6, 1992.
Registration and Licensing of Master Plumbers
a. License Required: It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of plumbing in this City or to imply to the public that he is engaged in the business of plumbing in this City unless he has registered with and obtained a license as a master plumber from the Board.
b. Qualifications: The applicant for a master plumber’s license shall have at least ten years of experience in the plumbing trade; five years of which shall be a journeyman plumber. In addition, the applicant shall obtain a certificate of competency from the Board.
c. Applications:
- Applications shall be advertised at least once each year at the discretion of the Board.
- Applications from qualified candidates for examinations shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board at least 60 days prior to the examination.
- The Clerk shall present said application at the next regular meeting of the Board. At this time the Board shall review the application and shall determine the qualifications of the applicant to sit for the examination. Notice of the Board’s action shall be sent to the applicant within 30 days of said meeting. An applicant who qualifies must then pay nonrefundable application and examination fees.
d. Examinations:
- Examinations to qualified applicants shall be given at the time and place set by the Board. During the examination of applicants, only the Board, the clerk, and the applicants shall be present.
- All tests formulated by the Board shall be of such character as to fully test the fitness and qualifications of the applicant in the trade of plumbing. Each test shall be given in three parts: (1) questions on the plumbing code and Practical Plumbing; (2) drawings of plumbing installations; and (3) plumbing layout and aptitude. The applicant must attain a grade of at least 75 points in order to receive a certificate of competency.
- An applicant who has failed the test may notify the Board of his intent to be re-examined by registered mail to the chairman of the Board without having to file another application.
e. Licenses:
- Upon receipt of a certificate of competency, the applicant shall register his name and business address in this City with the clerk of the Board on forms provided by the Board and pay the required registration fee, whereupon he shall receive a master plumber’s license. Said license shall be the same as the certificate of registration under article 4 of the General City Law.
- All licenses shall expire on the 31st day of December of the year in which they have been issued and may be renewed within thirty (30) days preceding such expiration date on the renewal applications provided by the Board, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee.
- A master plumber who permits his license to lapse may apply for reinstatement upon payment of a reinstatement fee.
- Any master plumber who abandons or ceases to engage in the business of plumbing work shall surrender his metal plate to the Board. A lapse of six months shall be considered an abandonment of the business.
- Every master plumber shall give immediate notice of any change of location of his place of business to the Board.
- All vehicles utilized by a master plumber in the business of plumbing shall be identified. All vehicles shall conspicuously display the name of the company, the identification number provided by the Examining Board of Plumbers, and identify the company as a plumber licensed by the City of Niagara Falls, New York.
f. Use of License by Others: No person who has obtained a master plumbers license in this City shall allow his name or license to be used by another person either for the purpose of obtaining permits or for engaging in plumbing work under said license. Furthermore, no person who has obtained a master plumber’s license may subcontract any plumbing work unless such a subcontractor is licensed as a master plumber pursuant to this ordinance. The permitted and subcontractor shall be required to provide the Director with a copy of any and all contract documents pertaining to the plumbing work prior to the commencement of said plumbing work.
In the sole discretion of the Director and upon his request, the permitted and/or subcontractor shall be required to provide to the Director any and all information and documentation to verify the status of any persons engaging in plumbing work, including but not limited to employment and payroll records. In the event a permitted and/or subcontractor should fail to comply with any such request from the Director, any and all permits issued by the Director shall be immediately revoked, and said person to persons shall immediately cease and desist in the performance of any work and immediately vacate the affected premises.
g. Installation Compliance: Master plumbers shall perform all associated work in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the National Plumbing Code and the Plumbing Code for the City of Niagara Falls.
h. Suspension or Revocation: The Board may, after written notice and a hearing, suspend or revoke the license of any master plumber for the violation of this plumbing code or any law which pertains to said license. Said license shall be suspended: for thirty (30) days for a first violation committed within a five (5) year period; for ninety (90) days for a second violation committed within a five (5) year period; and for six (6) months for a third violation committed within a five (5) year period. For any subsequent violation, irrespective of when committed, said license shall be permanently revoked.
Please note, the following is required when the application is submitted NO LATER THAN June 30th:
- A check in the amount of $70.00, made payable to “City Controller”, after the Board approves your application.
- Backup documentation must be attached to the application for all work/education experience listed on the application.
- Mail application to:
Department of Code Enforcement
Please download the PDF below:
Download