Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9 am to 3 pm and Thursday 9 am to 1 pm
Appointments outside of regular office hours can be made with prior notice. We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule and time frame.
Permits/Applications can be obtained on this website. Please print and then email, fax, USPS or use dropbox/mailslots at Eason Hall. Please phone for fee information. Applications without payment will not be processed.
In an effort to serve our community we will accept building permit applications via email, USPS and the Village or Town Drop boxes and in person.
The Building Inspector for the Town of Westfield issues building permits for various types of structures. This includes new construction, additions, alterations or demolition, swimming pools, signs, storage sheds, fences and decks. A building permit should be acquired before the commencement of any project. State and local standards and specifications apply to any building construction within the Town. The Building Inspector also received complaints, makes investigations, and takes appropriate action concerning the enforcement of the building and zoning codes of the Town. It is her duty to review building plans, issue permits, inspect construction as it progresses, conducts fire inspections and makes recommendations concerning unsafe structures to assure safety and protection.
Contact Information
Eason Hall
23 Elm Street
Westfield, NY 14787
Ken Shearer, Building / Code Enforcement Officer [E-mail]
Lindsay Simpson, Code Clerk
Ph: (716) 326-4401
Town Code
Town Building Code & Enforcement Forms
Building Permit Application for Large Projects (Residential, Commercial)
Building Permit for Small Projects (pools, decks, etc.)
Special Use Permit Application
Special Use Permit Modification
Town Building Code & Enforcement FAQs
Q. What do I need a building permit for?
A. All work that must comply with Zoning Code and Building Code requirements to receive a building permit. If you are not sure that you need a permit please contact our office. Ordinary repairs with like materials (that do not affect structural members) painting, siding, or replacing of windows with the same size window. Any change in use or occupancy of a building or space, will require a permit, and commonly will require additional analysis from a registered architect or engineer licensed in New York State.
Q. Are stamped architectural blue prints required for all permitted work?
A. No, only new residential construction, and additions, that have a gross sq. ft. of 1500 sq. ft., or the value of construction exceeds $20,000. Additions include existing sq. ft. of the building plus the proposed additional space. All commercial work requiring a building permit, also require stamped blue prints.
Q. Do I need a permit to construct a garden shed?
A. Sheds limited to 144 sq. ft. do not require a building permit. However, they are required to comply with the setback requirements prescribed in the specific zoning district. Larger buildings require a building permit and a permanent foundation.
Q. I want to put up a sign, what do I need to do?
A. Generally, all signs require a permit application for approval from the Building Inspector. Depending on the nature of the sign and proposed location, some more restrictive standards may need to be followed. This also applies to existing signs in need of maintenance or repair that do not have a valid permit on record.
Q. How much will a building permit cost?
A. Residential construction permits are calculated by multiplying the sq. ft. of the entire project by $.10. A minimum charge of $35.00 will be assessed for smaller projects. All commercial construction fees are based on the cost of construction.
Q. I want to complain about my neighbor’s messy property, but I want to remain anonymous!
A. Signed complaint forms are required for any building/zoning complaint filed with the Code Enforcement Office, though verbal complaints will be investigated. However, even though the person complained of has the right to review the written complaint, he or she does NOT have the right to know the identity of the complainant, and the complainant’s name is redacted from the complaint form if a defendant wishes to review it.
Q. Why do I need a building permit now to do the same work I did 5 years ago, that didn’t require a building permit?
A. New York State adopted the new International Building Code 2015 in 2016. The newer edition surpasses the old code. The work done in the past may not have required a building permit, but does under the new edition.
Q. Do I need a permit for a yard sale?
A. No. However, signs are not permitted to be posted on utility poles, and signs are limited to 4 sq. ft. in size.
Q. What is a Special Use Permit?
A. Special Use Permits are permits that allow a specific use in a zoning district, but involve additional requirements prior to permit approval. A public hearing, adjacent property notification, county planning, adjacent municipality notification and environment reviews are all examples of some of the additional requirements of a Special Use Permit.