New York State Codes
Residential Building Permit Guidelines
City of Rome’s Code of Ordinances

Many projects require permits. A stop work order will be issued to any job started without a building permit and subject to a thorough inspection. Additionally, permit fees are doubled for any work started without a building permit.

*Always contact the codes office to confirm that a permit is required or not.

Generally, permits are required to:

• Construct a house or building
• Add or make structural alterations to a building
• Install new windows (Energy Code and Egress Requirements)
• Construct, repair or replace a deck steps and handrails
• Install or replace a pool, spa, or hot tub
• Kitchen or bath remodels
• Build or enclose a porch
• Construct an accessory building (shed or other structures detached from the principle bldg)
• Convert garage, attic, or basement to usable space, such as a recreation room
• Install new, or extend existing plumbing
• Alter or extend the electric system
• Demolish any building interior or building section, sheds under 144SF (require a no-cost demo permit to be removed from Assessor’s Inventory)
• Repair structures damaged by fire
• Install any wood burning appliance (e.g. woodstove, fireplace, etc)
• Install a chimney liner or repair chimney
• Erect any sign
• Install a septic tank
• Drill a well
• Add fill, excavate or change existing drainage
• Move any building

Demolitions Permit Application

Important Links:

• State Asbestos Info
• Utility Disconnect Form

The City of Rome requires all plumbing work to be performed by a City of Rome licensed plumber. The Code Enforcement Office oversees a plumbing board, administers plumbing exams, and enforces the performance of all plumbing activities in the City. It is the responsibility of the plumbing inspector to ensure the health and safety of the public water and sanitation while enforcing quality workmanship and adherence to standards.

• 2025 Master Plumbers List
• 2025 Limited Residential Plumbers List
• 2025 Third Party Electrical Inspectors List
• Plumbing Exam Information/Directions
• Limited Residential Plumbing Exam Application
• Master Plumbing Exam Application

• Zoning Inside District
• Zoning Outside District

The City of Rome Zoning Ordinance, developed in conjunction with the comprehensive plan, was adopted April 28, 2004. The new ordinance is a complete revision of the former ordinance adopted in the early 1960’s. Because of the age of the previous ordinance, many components of the document were outdated and incomplete. The new ordinance focuses on correcting these issues, improving development standards, focusing development in appropriate areas and making the City of Rome a friendly place to live and do business.

A zoning law is a community’s guide to its future development. It is not meant to be just another governmental intrusion, or another bit of red tape ahead of development plans. A landowner can look at the zoning map and regulations and know that if he follows them, he has a right to use his land in a certain way, and that neighboring property is subject to the same restrictions. But, because all land in the district is subject to the same rules, and because no two parcels of land are precisely the same, problems can arise.

When the first zoning ordinance in this country was passed in New York City in 1916, there was doubt that the courts would uphold its constitutionality, since it was a new and, at that time, radical system of land use control. Various safety valves were included in that first ordinance; therefore, in an attempt to relieve the pressure of too rigid enforcement of the zoning ordinance and any attendant hardship, and also to attempt to ensure judicial approval of the new concept. Foremost among these devices was the concept of an administrative body that would stand as a buffer between the property owner and the court. That administrative body is the Zoning Board of Appeals, sometimes referred to as a board of adjustment.