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1. Do I need a building permit for any or all of the following installations including a fence, swimming pool, siding, deck or roof repair or replace?

Yes, a building permit is required to replace all of the above projects. However, it is not required to repair.

2. Do I need a permit to have a dumpster on my property or in the street in front of my property?

Yes, a permit is required to have a temporary dumpster either on your property or in the street in front of your property. 

3. Do I need a building permit to install/replace my driveway?

Yes, a building permit is required to install or replace a driveway.

4. What is Title VI?

Title VI applies to any program for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by the United States Department of Transportation. Federal financial assistance includes grants and loans of Federal loans; the grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property; the detail of Federal personnel; the sale and lease of and the permission to use Federal property or any interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such sale or lease to the recipient and any Federal agreement, arrangement or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance.

5. What is discrimination under Title VI?

Discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, is an act (action or inaction), whether intentional or unintentional, through which a person, solely because of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, age or disability, has been otherwise subjected to unequal treatment or impact under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation.

6. Who may file a Title VI complaint?

A complaint may be filed by any person who believes they or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination.

7. What are the Title VI complaint procedures?

49 CFR 21.1, provides that, “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation.”

In order to comply with Title VI and all of the regulations of 49 CFR Part 21, the City of Cohoes, acting by and through its Planning Department provides complaint procedures for those persons who believe that they have been subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the United States Department of Transportation. These procedures do not deny the right of the complainant to file a formal complaint with other State or Federal agencies or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.

8. Who do the Title VI procedures apply to?

Title VI applies to any program for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by the United States Department of Transportation. Federal financial assistance includes grants and loans of Federal loans; the grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property; the detail of Federal personnel; the sale and lease of and the permission to use Federal property or any interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such sale or lease to the recipient and any Federal agreement, arrangement or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance.

9. How is a discrimination complaint filed?

A complaint must be in writing, signed by the person(s) or their representative(s) and must include the complainant(s) name, address and telephone number.

A signed written complaint must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. The signed complaint must be sent to Melissa Cherubino at the Building Department.

10. How long will it take for my complaint to be resolved?

The complaint will be reviewed by Melissa Cherubino. Where practicable, the complainant shall be notified, in writing, of the findings and remedial action, if any, within a period not to exceed 60 days.

11. How do I get a permit?

An owner or his contractor can apply for the permit. Depending on the type of work planned, you may need a survey of the property and plans or drawings that show details of construction. You can call ahead to check. Fees for a building permit must be paid at the time of the application. Permit applicants can expect to have the approved permit within 5 to 10 business days after submitting an application.

Permit applications must be checked against the various codes the City enforces, including building, housing, plumbing, zoning and preservation. Specially trained staff in the Cohoes Building Department will help you with this process. In most cases fees are based upon the cost of the project; in some cases the fees are pre-set. You can call ahead to check.

When a permit application is approved, a permit card is issued and must be displayed on the job until the work is finished. A set of approved construction plans should remain on the job site during the period of construction. To obtain a permit, visit the Code Enforcement Office.

12. What is the cost of a permit?

Permit fees vary by project.

View the current permit fees.

13. What is the procedure for installing a pool on my property?

To review the steps needed, visit the procedures for building a pool page.

14. When do you need a plumbing permit?

A plumbing permit is required to:
- Install or replace a plumbing fixture (bathtub, shower, water heater, etc.)
- Install, repair or replace a water supply line, storm or sanitary drainage line or vent line
- Mechanical de-rooting of a sanitary drainage system to remove a blockage.

A plumbing permit is not required to:
- Replace a rubber or fiber washer in an existing faucet
- Use a rubber plunger to remove a blockage drainage system

15. Who can do electrical work?

The owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling may perform electrical work within his/her own dwelling without having a licensed electrician, but he or she must still obtain an electrical permit at the City Cohoes Building Department and make application for inspection with a City approved electrical inspection agency in order that the work performed is inspected and approved.

Your electrician must file for an electrical permit and an application for inspection with a City approved electrical agency before work starts.

16. How often must I have my apartment inspected?

Each time you re-rent an apartment it has to be inspected.