Building permit application process

While residents may perform necessary repairs on their property, new additions, garages, decks, porches, fences, sheds, swimming pools, hot tubs, or wood and gas burning stoves require a permit. You can submit your application in person, or email it to villagebuildingdepartment@gmail.com.

Building permitsHistoric building permitsCommercial building permitsZoning variances

Building permits

  1. Submit the appropriate application and pay the corresponding permit fees.
  2. The Building Department will confirm receipt of permit applications within 48 hours.
  3. If your application requires placement on the agenda for the Historic Preservation Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Planning Board, the Building Department should receive your completed permit applications before the application deadline for the meeting you wish to attend.
  4. In most cases, where board review is not required, the Building Department will review your project within in a two-week period.
  5. Permits will be mailed when all approvals have been granted.

Historic building permits

Any work conducted on a historic landmark or historic landmark site requires the approval of the Historic Preservation Committee. This is done by submitting an application for Certificate of Appropriateness. Your application must include the following at minimum to be added to the agenda for review at the next committee meeting: detailed written scope of work, proposed material samples and/or product numbers, and color photographs of the site.

Commercial construction process

Some commercial construction may require an Architectural and/or Site Plan Review application, depending on project scope. Please review the Planning Board application procedure. If you are unsure whether your project requires Planning Board review, contact the Building Department.

Zoning variances

Should the Building Department inform you that your project requires a variance, an application for the variance will need to be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Please review the ZBA Application Procedures & Guidelines. You can also download the Main Street Mixed Use Design Standards which include a zoning map for the Village of Williamsville.

A Variance Request can be made for area or use variances. For accessory apartments and short term rentals, please submit with appropriate attachments.

Contact the Building Department for information before beginning any construction or demolition project. Per village code, if you complete work without an approved building permit, you may be fined an amount equal to twice the cost of the required permits. You may also be required to appear in court. 

Links to Building Permit Applications

Outdoor Seating Application

Accessory Structure Permit Application – including sheds and pole barns

Demolition Permit Application

Fence Permit Application

Fire Protection Equipment Permit Application – Including fire suppression and fire alarm systems

Floodplain Development Permit Application

General Building Permit Application – For residential additions and new home construction. See this Checklist for One-and Two-Family Home Construction

Mechanical Permit Application – Including installation of heating and cooling equipment

Operating Permit Application

Plumbing Permit Application – Should a plumbing job require a road cut, you may also need a Highway Work Permit Application.

Plumbing License Application – 2024

Swimming Pool and Hot Tubs Permit Application

Roofing Permit Application

Sign Permit Application

Variance Request Permit

Special Use Permit – Accessory apartment

Special Use Permit – Short term Rental

Seasonal Permits

Click here to download a Seasonal Outdoor Seating Permit Application

Click here to download a Tent Permit Application

Other Applications

Sewer Compliance Inspection Application –  Per Chapter 81-6 (C) of the village code, all properties must have their sump pump system, footing drains, yard drains, and downspouts inspected prior to any transfer of ownership.

Sewer compliance inspections help to mitigate stormwater runoff and keep groundwater from entering the sanitary sewer system. Any property that passes a sewer compliance inspection will be issued a Certificate of Compliance, which is valid for a two-year period beginning from the date of issuance.

Click here to download a Code Enforcement Complaint Form