Buffalo Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

The City of Buffalo Department of Permit and Inspection Services (DPIS) is the municipal authority for development and private-property construction inside Buffalo. Erie County is the county context, but the City of Buffalo issues and inspects permits within its own city limits; an address outside the city may be under another local building department.

Buffalo building permits and plan review

DPIS issues permits for new buildings, additions, changes of use, remodeling, repairs, decks, sheds, flat work, and demolitions. The department reviews projects for the New York State Building and Fire Code, the Buffalo Green Code, and other applicable city ordinances. Depending on the project, preliminary approvals may include citywide site-plan review, Preservation Board review, zoning-board action, or engineering and right-of-way approvals.

Buffalo ePermits and permit search

The City’s ePermits portal is the official online route for digital permit applications and plan submissions. Applicants can register a project, upload documents, monitor review, and use the dashboard for status updates. In-person permit applications are handled by the Permit Office at City Hall, with appointments required on the city’s published appointment days.

Inspections, code compliance, and occupancy

Inspectors check permitted work throughout construction, including at required stages and project completion. The City says contractors or project agents are responsible for learning the required inspection points and providing at least 24 hours’ notice. DPIS issues close-out documents such as a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance after required inspections and approvals.

Official contact information

The DPIS main office is 65 Niagara Square, Room 301, Buffalo, NY 14202. The published general phone is 716-851-4972; permit and inspection divisions publish additional direct numbers. For inspection scheduling and the assigned district inspector, use the official District Inspections page or call the department’s general inspection number before work proceeds to the next stage.