BUILDING CODE & ENFORCEMENT
20 Hammond Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771
Code Enforcement’s mission is to protect the health and safety of the city’s residents and visitors, and the livability of the community, by ensuring compliance with the city’s land use, environmental and building codes. The city will achieve code compliance both by encouraging voluntary compliance and by prosecuting code violators who do not comply. Staff will give priority to situations where public safety and health are at risk.
BUILD IT BEAUTIFUL.
Go the extra effort and make your project a part of a beautiful fabric of Port Jervis. Take ownership of your property and take pride in your community.
THE MISSION
The Port Jervis Building Department administers and enforces the New State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building codes, the Port Jervis City codes and Zoning Law and all reference standards that apply to the above, to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the general public.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND PRIMARY JOB PURPOSE includes the following:
Code enforcement is a function local governments perform that citizens consider important for accomplishing community goals, such as protecting property values and the environment. . Local governments are now obliged to include enforcement of these rules and regulations in the array of responsibilities they assume for protecting the public health and welfare.
Contemporary code enforcement involves local enforcement officials in the job of ensuring compliance with policies, codes, rules, regulations, and permits in a proper, timely fashion within the limits of the law. Consequently, enforcement officials must be fully acquainted with the adoption process and the thinking behind the regulations they enforce as well as the legal limits placed on them. Conversely, those who write the laws must understand the problems particular to enforcement and administration as the codes and regulations are implemented.
OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose of the Building Department is to ensure building safety through the enforcement of municipal, state, and federal regulations and codes. All plans for development are first reviewed by the department for adherence to regulatory statutes. Upon approval of proposed plans, permits are issued that allow for the construction and alteration of structures. Throughout the building process, the Building Inspector will visit active work sites reviewing work and approving various stages of construction. Final inspections will signal the end of the review process with new or renovated buildings receiving formal certificates of occupancy, which allows the structure to become occupied.
The primary divisions of the Building Department are:
* Building Code Enforcement
* Plumbing Code Enforcement
* Electric Code Enforcement ( With approved NY State Underwriter )
* Fire Safety Code Enforcement
* Property Maintenance Code Enforcement
Additionally, the department assists residents and developers with understanding ordinances and regulations that affect construction in the City of Port Jervis. The following is a list of informational services that are also provided:
* Understanding the Town Ordinance
* Evaluating and Assisting Requests for Property
* Review Applications for the Zoning Board of Appeals
* Review Applications for the Planning Board
* Handling Complaints about Zoning, Building, or Other Local Laws
* Investigating Fire Scenes
When making an appointment with the Building Inspector, you must call at least 24 hours prior to the date you wish to be seen.
Please call the Building Department during our regular working hours for any questions or concerns you may have regarding the New York State Building Code, the Town Code, or the Town Building Zone Ordinance.
2024 Zoning Map
FORMS AND DOWNLOADS
2024 Paid Haulers
List of City-Approved Haulers
2024 Licensed Electricians and Plumbers
List of Electricians and Plumbers that are licensed to work in the City of Port Jervis
Vacant Building Registration Form
Fees associated with owning a vacant building in the City of Port Jervis
Information and Building Permit Application
List of steps that assist in Acquiring a Building Permit + Permit Application
Complaint Form
Form to submit to Building Dept with complaints regarding housing & property maintenance
Curb Cut Application
Application for the installation of new driveway
Electrical Inspector List
Application to obtain a City of Port Jervis Electrician’s License.
Electrical License Application
Application to obtain a One-Time Electrician’s License.
One-Time Electrician License Application
Instruction and Fees for using a One-Time Electrician on a project
One-Time Plumber License Application
Application to obtain a One-Time Plumber’s License.
Owners Registration Form for 3 Dwellings or More
Rental Property Owner’s Registration Form for 3 Dwellings or more.
Owners Registration Form for Single Dwelling & 2 Family
Rental Property Owner’s Registration Form for Single-Family & Two-Family Dwellings.
Plumber License Application
Application to obtain a City of Port Jervis Plumber’s License.
Sign Permit Application
Application for business signage
Swimming Pool Permit
Application for installing an in-ground or above-ground Swimming Pool.
Planning Board Application
Application for Planning Board
Zoning Board Application
Application for Zoning Board
Demolition Permit Application
Application for Demolition Permit
Sandwich Board Application
Application for Sandwich Board
Sidewalk Cafe Application
Application for Sidewalk Cafe​
Building Department Applicants
Notary Page
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A BUILDING PERMIT?
A building permit is a document which grants legal permission to start the construction or alteration of a building or other structure in accordance with approved drawings and specifications.
WHY DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?
Permits ensure that construction within our municipality meets with standards set out in the NYS Building Code and the Code of the City of Port Jervis. Your home renovation project must meet basic requirements for health, safety and structural soundness. Beyond this, the permit process makes sure that your plans are in line with other town requirements, such as zoning regulations and historic building designations.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T GET A PERMIT?
The property owner may be subject to legal action for failure to obtain a building permit. If you carry out a renovation project that requires a building permit without having one, Port Jervis Building Department representatives may issue a "Stop Work" and or a "Cease and Desist" order, which remains in effect until you obtain a permit. If the work doesn't meet the requirements of the Building Code, you may well have to redo the work at your own cost.
Work performed with out a required building permit may hold up the sale of your property in the future and may also affect an insurance claim. Before any work begins on your home, check with your insurance representative, who can explain exactly what is needed to ensure continuous and adequate coverage, both during and after the renovation.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO HAVE A DUMPSTER ON MY PROPERTY?
(Information Coming Soon)
WHY AM I BEING CHARGED TO OWN A VACANT BUILDING?
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HOW DO I REPORT PEOPLE THAT ARE VIOLATING BUILDING CODES?
To report municipal building code violations, contact a code enforcement officer using the contacts above.
DO I NEED A PERMIT FOR AN ABOVE GROUND POOL?
(Information Coming Soon)
AM I ALLOWED TO PERFORM WORK ON MY OWN HOUSE?
(Information Coming Soon)