Division of Building Standards and Codes

We have witnessed significant progress over the past hundred years or more in both the quantity and quality of construction regulations and fire prevention practices.  As a result, buildings constructed with today’s codes are safer, both structurally and from a fire protection point of view.

Since the inception of the statewide code in 1984, the State of New York has gained national prominence in the development, administration and enforcement of building, fire prevention and energy codes.

Background

New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. In 1981, the New York State Legislature enacted a new law directing the development and implementation of an integrated building and fire code for the state. One of the primary reasons for establishing an integrated code was to ensure that all communities in the state had effective standards in place to protect against perils posed by fire or inadequate building construction. Prior to the enactment of this law, the decision of whether to enforce a building or fire prevention codes was left to the discretion of each local government. This law also set the process by which the code would be developed, maintained, administered and enforced. (Exec. Law, Sections 370-383).

The Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) took effect on January 1, 1984, prescribing statewide minimum standards for building construction and fire prevention.  The Uniform Code is applicable in all parts of the state except the City of New York, which is permitted to retain its own code. Since 2003 the Uniform Code has been based on a family of model code books published by a recognized publisher (current publisher is the International Code Council), with New York State-specific amendments. Occasionally, a new provision is added to the Uniform Code between code cycles as a stand-alone rule making.

State Energy Conservation Construction Code. The New York State Energy Law became effective on July 26, 1976. It required the formulation of the first mandatory statewide Energy Conservation Construction Code (Energy Code), which became effective on January 1st, 1979. Since 2002, the Energy Code has been based on the ICC’s Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with New York State-specific amendments. In general, residential buildings are required to comply with the “residential provisions” in the IECC, and commercial buildings with the “commercial provisions” of the IECC, or with ASHRAE 90.1. Additional information about the Energy Code can be found on our Energy Code page.

The latest update to the Uniform Code (2020 Uniform Code) and Energy Code (2020 Energy Code) took effect May 12, 2020. Additional information about the updates can be found on our NYS Uniform Code and Energy Code Update page. Please see our Codes, Laws and Regulations page for links to the 2020 updates.

Local governments (cities, towns, villages, and counties) are responsible for enforcing the Uniform Code and Energy Code (Exec. Law Section 381). Local governments do not have to adopt the Uniform Code and Energy Code updates, such as those enacted in 2020, as they fall under the statewide mandate that has been in effect since 1984.

Local Programs for Administration and Enforcement of the Codes

Primary responsibility for administering and enforcing the Uniform Code and the Energy Code falls to the cities, towns, villages and counties of the State. Therefore, it is necessary for each municipal governing body to develop and implement a program for enforcement of the code within municipal boundaries. Although building construction, fire prevention and energy standards are uniform throughout the state, municipal programs for enforcing such standards are not required to be uniform, as long as they meet minimum standards (19 NYCRR Part 1203). A municipal code enforcement program appropriate for a large city is not necessarily appropriate for a rural town. Local needs and conditions should be considered when designing a municipal code enforcement program.

Department of State Responsibilities

The Division of Building Standards and Codes (Codes Division) provides support and assistance to local governments that enforce the code. Direct service to municipalities and the public is handled by the activities of several units within the Codes Division, including:

                                                        Educational and Technical Support

                                                        Compliance

                                                        Code Development

                                                        Code Administration

                                                        Inspection

Regional Services

Located in regional offices across the State, this unit provides on-site technical assistance to local government officials, design professionals, and the general public. Regional staff process requests for variances from the Uniform Code and serve as advisors to the regional boards of review. Our regional offices are the Codes Division’s “direct link” to local government code enforcement programs throughout the state.

BSC Staff

Director, Building Standards and Codes
John R. Addario, P.E.

Deputy Director, Building Standards and Codes
Brian S. Tollisen, P.E

Assistant Director for Code Development
Kevin Duerr-Clark, P.E.

 

Assistant Director for Code Administration and Factory Manufactured Building Programs
Joseph Hill, R.A.

Contact Information:
                                  Department of State
                                  One Commerce Plaza
                                  99 Washington Ave, Suite 1160
                                  Albany, NY 12231-0001
                                  Phone: (518) 474-4073
                                  Fax: (518) 486-4487

For Code Questions:
                                  Phone: (518)-474-4073, Fax: (518)-486-448
                                  e-mail: codes@dos.ny.gov

 

Click Here for Driving Directions

Click Here for Regional Office Information

Driving Directions to the BSC Main Office:

FROM THE SOUTH   Take the NYS Thruway (I-87) North to exit 23. Proceed straight onto I-787 North to the Empire State Plaza exit (#3). Follow the exit ramp under the Empire State Plaza and turn right onto South Swan Street. Follow South Swan Street to the second traffic light, then turn left onto Washington Avenue. One Commerce Plaza is on the right hand corner. Go straight, approximately 25 ft., and turn right into the parking garage.

FROM THE NORTH   Take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) South to exit 2, (I-90 East) to the I-787 South exit. Follow I-787 to the Empire State Plaza exit. Follow the exit under the Empire State Plaza and turn right onto South Swan Street. Take South Swan Street to the second traffic light, then turn left onto Washington Avenue. One Commerce Plaza is on the right hand corner. Go straight, approximately 25 ft., and turn right into the parking garage.

FROM THE WEST   Take the NYS Thruway (I-90) East to exit 23. Proceed straight onto I-787 North to the Empire State Plaza exit. Follow exit under the Empire State Plaza and turn right onto South Swan Street. Follow South Swan Street to the second traffic light, then turn left onto Washington Avenue. One Commerce Plaza is on the right hand corner. Go straight, approximately 25 ft., and turn right into the parking garage.

FROM THE EAST   Take I-90 East to I-787 South. Proceed on I-787 to the South Empire State Plaza exit. Follow exit under the Empire State Plaza and turn right onto South Swan Street. Follow South Swan Street to the second traffic light, then turn left onto Washington Avenue. One Commerce Plaza is on the right hand corner. Go straight, approximately 25 ft., and turn right into the parking garage.

FROM ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT   Leave Airport parking area and take a left onto Albany-Shaker Road. Follow Albany-Shaker Road to the second traffic light. Turn right onto I-87 (Northway) South to Exit 1E (I-90 East). Take I-90 East to 787 South to the Empire State Plaza exit. Follow the exit under the Empire State Plaza and turn right onto South Swan Street. Follow South Swan Street to the second traffic light, then turn left onto Washington Avenue. One Commerce Plaza is on the right hand corner. Go straight, approximately 25 ft., and turn right into the parking garage.

Parking

Parking is available under the building of One Commerce Plaza (99 Washington Avenue) for a daily fee. There is additional parking at Tri-State Parking (111 Washington Avenue) and at the outdoor lot directly behind One Commerce Plaza.

Amtrak

Take train to the Albany/Rensselaer Amtrak station. Taxis are available outside the station.