Building permits in Rochester, New York
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Rochester, 1 need a permit outright and 9 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Rochester
City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, Bureau of Zoning and Permitting (Building Permit Office); inspections and code enforcement by the Bureau of Buildings and Compliance
- Rochester City Hall, Room 125B, 30 Church St, Rochester, NY 14614
- Phone: 585-428-6526
- Email: planreview@cityofrochester.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Rochester
Rochester runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Rochester
Of the 10 common home projects we have verified in Rochester, 1 need a permit outright and 9 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | height of the deck surface above grade | Deck Fees, published on the city's building permit fees page: "Deck up to 144 sq. |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | Not specified | Residential electrical inspection fees on the city's fee page: "New dwelling unit with... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence, wall or retaining wall above average grade | The Fences (Residential and Village Center Districts) packet dated Mar 2026 states... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | Not specified | HVAC work falls under Building Permit Fees based on the actual cost of work, which start... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | aggregate size of a paved area or of an addition to a paved area | Exterior Paved Area Fees, published on the city's building permit fees page: "Exterior... |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | Not specified | The fee page states "Base fee for all plumbing permits $100 in addition to base plumbing... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | pool accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling and installed entirely above ground | Miscellaneous Fees on the city's building permit fees page: "Swimming pool" $85.00. |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | share of the total roof area involved in the repair or covered by an added roof layer | Roofing falls under Building Permit Fees based on the actual cost of work: $75.00 for $0... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | gross floor area of a one-story detached storage shed accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling | Building Permit Fees are based on the actual cost of work: $75.00 for $0 to $2,000... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | The Solar JULY 2026 packet states "Unified Fee $100" by check or money order payable to... |
Planning a project in Rochester?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project