Regulations and Local Laws

Approved permits are required for most land development activity in Ulysses including single detached dwelling units, duplexes, multi-family residences, and commercial buildings.
Submission of an application for a construction permit is not equivalent to the issuance of a construction permit.
Once the plans reviewers ensure your application submittal is complete and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, a construction permit will be issued.
Do not start any construction activity, including demolition work, until issued an approved construction permit – note, there is no such thing as a “verbal approval” for development activity.

An application and complete set of plans stamped by a licensed New York State architect or engineer are required to obtain a building permit.
A site plan is required as part of the construction permit process, and under NY State Education Law, it is illegal to submit an altered survey unless it has been altered, notated, and stamped by a licensed professional, please see this link for a letter from the NYS Association of Professional Land Surveyors, Inc.
 
Site Plan Review by the Planning Board and/or variance approval(s) from the BZA may be required prior to the issuance of construction permits.
 
Adherence to the following codes and references may be required for the issuance of construction permits and inspection approvals:

• Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities ANSI A117.1-2009
• Automatic Fire Detection & Suppression Systems
• Building Code of New York State (BCNYS) 2025 Edition
• International Building Code (IBC) 2024 Edition
• International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2024 Edition
• International Fire Code (IFC) 2024 Edition
• International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2024 Edition
• International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2024 Edition
• National Electrical Code (NEC) 2023 Edition
• New York State Energy Conservation Code (NYSECC) 2025 Edition
• Town of Ulysses Design & Construction Standards & Specifications
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 80 Uniform Construction Codes
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 89 Flood Damage Prevention
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 142 Special Events
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 149 Storm Sewers
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 156 Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 200 Water
• Town of Ulysses Code Ch. 212 Zoning

 
Note, only the following actions listed below per Town of Ulysses Code 80-4.B may be exempt from building permit requirements:

• Construction or installation of one-story detached structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses), which are used for tool and storage sheds or similar uses, provided the gross floor area does not exceed 144 square feet;
• Construction of temporary sets and scenery associated with motion picture, television, and theater uses;
• Installation of window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses);
• Installation of partitions or movable cases less than five feet nine inches in height;
• Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, or other similar finish work;
• Installation of listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or cooling equipment or appliances;
• Replacement of any equipment provided the replacement does not alter the equipment's listing or render it inconsistent with the equipment's original specifications; or
• Repairs, provided that the work does not have an impact on fire and life safety, such as i) any part of the structural system; ii) the required means of egress; or iii) the fire protection system or the removal from service of any part of the fire protection system for any period of time.

 

Fire Inspections - fire inspections are required on mulifamily residences at least once every 2 years. For public assemblies, inspections are required every year.

Operating Permits - a special operating permit is required to conduct any of the following activities.

• Manufacturing, storing or handling hazardous materials in quanitites exceeding those in NYS Fire Code.
• Conducting a hazardous process or activity.
• Use of pyrotechnic devices in assemblies
• Use of a public assembly of over 100 people within a building