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Building Department
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8 am to 4 pm
Inspection Hours
Monday - Friday 10 am to 12 pm, and 1 pm to 3 pm
***Requests outside of these hours require advance agreement with the Building Department and vary depending upon staff availability ***
Phone: 518-490-2715
*** Please see the FAQ section at the bottom of this page for help with many common questions.***
Building Department Services
- Enforcement of Code of the Town of Ballston and NYS Building Codes.
- Reviews plans, issues permits and provides inspections for the following types of construction:
- New construction of commercial and residential buildings
- Alterations, repair, renovation, reconstruction of existing commercial and residential buildings
- Accessory structures including sheds, decks, and swimming pools
- Installation of Plumbing and HVAC systems
- Waste Water (septic) system installation, replacement or decommission
- Signs
- Installation of Roof- and Ground-mounted residential PV (solar) arrays, EV charging stations, Generators
- Fire safety inspections of commercial and multi-family dwellings
Permit Application Forms
- Commercial Construction Building Permit Application (PDF)
- Animal Permit Application (PDF)
- Residential General (New construction, Garage, Renovations, Additional and Alterations) Permit Application (PDF)
- Accessory Structures (Deck, Shed, Pole Barn, etc.) Permit Application (PDF)
- Swimming Pool Permit Application (PDF)
- Mechanical (Generator, PV Array, Fireplace, Hot Tub, etc.) Permit Application (PDF)
- Waste Water System (Septic) Permit Application for new, replacement or decommission (PDF)
- Demolition Permit Application (PDF)
- Dock Boathouse Permit Application (PDF)
- Sign Permit Application (PDF)
- Change of Occupancy Form (PDF)
- Soil Disturbance Permit (PDF)
- Homeowner's Workers Compensation Exemption Form (BP-1) (PDF)
Resident Complaint Form
Lake Regulations
- What kinds of home improvements require a building permit?
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Any home improvement involving structural change requires a building permit.
Find a list of the types of projects that require permits in the Building Department Services section of the Building Department page.
Visit the Code of the Town of Ballston for more specific information.
Please contact the Building Department with any questions:
Phone: 518-490-2715
Email: building@townofballstonny.org - Do I need a permit for a fence?
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You do not require a permit for a fence. We recommend that you have the nice side facing out and put it inside your property line by 1-2 feet so you are not trespassing if you need to do any maintenance or repair on the fence. Also, the fence should not exceed 6 feet in height.
Please note that if your neighborhood has a Homeowner's Association they may have rules about fences.
- Do I need a permit for a shed?
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Sheds that are 120 square feet or less do not require a permit.
Sheds over 120 square feet require a building permit and are subject to current zoning regulations.
Visit the Permit Application Forms section of the Building Department page. Applications include instructions for submittal.
Please note that if your neighborhood has a Homeowner's Association they may have rules about shed placement, regardless of size.
Please contact the Building Department with any questions:
Phone: 518-490-2715
Email: building@townofballstonny.org - Do I need a permit for a roof replacement?
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No permit is required for replacement of a roof unless there is a structural change.
- How do I apply for a building permit?
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Choose the permit application that fits your project from the Permit Application Forms section of the Building Department page. Applications include instructions for submittal.
Please contact the Building Department with any questions:Phone: 518-490-2715
Email: building@townofballstonny.org - How do I schedule an inspection?
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Inspections can be scheduled in person, by phone at 518-490-2715, or Email the Building Department.
Please provide your name, phone number, property location and type of inspection needed.
We require 24 hours advance notice, and will do our best to accommodate your request.
- Does the Building Department do electrical inspections?
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The Building Department does not conduct electrical inspections. If your permit requires an electrical inspection, the following inspection agencies are Town-approved, or you can have any licensed electrical inspector perform the inspection:
Atlantic Inland - 518-857-6235 or 518-692-9295
Middle Department Agency - 518-399-4753 or 518-273-0861
The Inspector, LLC - 518-363-0181 or 800-487-0535
- Where can I find my setback requirements?
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Town of Ballston bulk requirements can be found online in the Town Code Chapter 138 Zoning.
Please contact the Building Department by phone at 518-490-2715 or Email the Building Department with any questions.
- How do I get Building Department records for a property?
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To view available Building Department records, such as building permits, architectural drawings, septic plans, etc., for a property, whether owned by you, a property you wish to purchase, etc., you must submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request with the Town Clerk's Office.
Please note that the Town of Ballston Building Department does not have any of these records available online; they are only available by FOIL request.
The Freedom of Information Law, commonly know as "FOIL" (Public Officers Law, Article 6, Sections 84-90), is New York State's principal statute regarding public access to government records. For more information about FOIL, please visit the New York State Committee on Open Government.
Please see the following for how to file a FOIL request:
Town of Ballston FOIL request information:
- All FOIL requests must be filed with the Town Clerk's Office
- If not filed in person, we will acknowledge receipt of your request within 5 days of receiving it
- We will fulfill your request within 20 days, and will contact you once the information is available
- You may view the records at Town Hall, have copies emailed to you (size permitting), and/or receive photocopies (size permitting; fees apply, see below)
To file a FOIL request you will need the following two items:
1. A completed Freedom of Information Law Request Form (be as specific as possible about the information you are requesting)
- Available at Town Hall OR
- Click The Freedom of Information Law Request Form (PDF) to complete online and print (the form cannot be submitted online) OR
- Call the Town Clerk's Office at 518-490-2800 ext. 2502 to have a form mailed or emailed to you
2. Your Driver's License
- If submitting by drop-off, mail, or email, please include a photocopy of your driver's license
Options for submittal:
In person:
- Town Hall, 323 Charlton Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 - come to the Town Clerk's window, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
By drop-off:
- Drop the completed form with a photocopy of your driver's license in the gray, locked mailbox at the rear of Town Hall that is labeled "Town Payment."
By mail:
- Mail the completed form with a photocopy of your driver's license to: Town of Ballston, P.O. Box 67, Burnt Hills, NY 12027.
By email:
- Scan and email the completed form with a photocopy of your driver's license to: cgumienny@townofballstonny.org.
Fee Schedule:
Viewing the records at Town Hall is free.
Having copies of records emailed to you is free.
Photocopy fees (per page):
- 8.5" x 11" = $.25
- 22" x 34" = $2.50
- 2' x 3' = $3.00
- 3' x 4' = $6.00
- Please note that fees are subject to change at any time
Please call the Town Clerk's Office at 518-490-2800 ext. 2502 with any questions.
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Building Department
Physical Address
323 Charlton Road
Town Hall
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 67
Burnt Hills, NY 12027
Phone: 518-490-2715
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Jeffrey Stickles
Building InspectorPhone: 518-490-2740
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Matthew Vaverchak
Assistant Building InspectorPhone: 518-490-2716
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Wayne Howe
Assistant Building Inspector
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Erica Collins
Senior Building ClerkPhone: 518-490-2715