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NBD PERMITS SELF-SERVE APPLICATIONS

EXCITING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT! !

Beginning in December 2023 all incoming Plumbing and Electrical Permits can be submitted online! The new permitting system will replace current submission methods (mailed or  emailed in submissions).  If you were unable to attend one of our training sessions, or could not follow one of our training guides below, we are happy to help you  either in person at the Permit Office (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or you can email us at: buildingpermit@cityofrochester.gov.  

Click below for a step by step guide on how to submit:

Click here to start your electrical or plumbing permit application.

We look forward to working with you to improve our permitting process! 

 PERMIT TOPIC WHEN TO USE   QUESTIONS? 
AC and Generators  

Installation of units outside of a structure

  zoning@cityofrochester.gov
585-428-7043
Additions/New Construction   For either commercial or residential zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Business Permits See packet for list of uses requiring a Business Permit  zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Change, Establish, or Legalize Use For both commercial and residential uses zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Daycares See packet for specific daycare classifications that require a permit zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Decks For both commercial and residential uses zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Deconversions When decreasing the number of dwelling units zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Demolition For both commercial and residential structures and accessory structures

planreview@cityofrochester.gov  
585-428-6526
Driveways Zoning approval required to install, expand or resurface zoning@cityofrochester.gov
 585-428-7043
Electrical Permits  Must be applied for by a licensed electrician or a  single family owner occupant doing their own work This permit type is now applied for and processed online.  See above instructions.
Electrical Reconnections  To restore power to a property.  Anyone can apply for this. This permit type is now applied for and processed online.  See above instructions.
Electrical Systems Unified Building and Electrical Permit for:  EV Charging Stations, Generators, Geothermal, and Energy Storage Systems. This permit type is now applied for and processed online.  See above instructions.
Fences New installation or replacement of fencing zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Fire Damage Repair Required when there has been fire damage to a property planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526
Fire Systems/Commercial Kitchen Installing or altering fire suppression systems or commercial hood installations firesystempermits@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526
Food Trucks, Carts and Trailers Only when located on private property zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Garages and Carports New construction or repair accessory to  residential use zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Home Occupation For establishing certain businesses within a dwelling unit zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Interior-Exterior Renovations For renovations of residential or commercial property  planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526 
 Legal Use Verification  To verify the legal use of a property, typically for a transfer of title  or a refinance zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Lifts and Ramps Installation of these apparatuses on commercial or residential structures

planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526 
Parking Lots Installing new or legalizing zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Plumbing  Must be applied for a licensed plumber or a  single family owner occupant doing their own work This permit type is now applied for and processed online.  See above instructions.
Pools and Hot Tubs New installation planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526
Porches Porch repairs, enclosures or new planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526
Roofs Re-roof of structure roofpermit@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526
Sheds When accessory to a principal use zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Signs New or replacement of existing

zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Solar Both commercial or residential installation

planreview@cityofrochester.gov  
585-428-6526
Unlicensed Vehicle Temporary storage of an occupant’s unlicensed vehicle

zoning@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-7043
Window Replacements Replacement with a different size or new location planreview@cityofrochester.gov 
585-428-6526

SEE ALSO

Permits and Licenses