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Building Department /  Department Overview

Property Maintenance Complaints please call (716) 631-7002 or visit our Property Maintenance Complaint webpage.
Click here for information regarding Rodent Control Complaints Erie County Vector Control at 716-961-6800.

Building Department

The primary purpose of the Building Department is to ensure building safety through the enforcement of municipal, state and federal regulations and codes. All plans for development are first reviewed by the department for adherence to regulatory statutes. Upon approval of proposed plans, permits are issued that allow for the construction and alteration of structures. Throughout the building process, field inspectors visit active work sites reviewing work and approving various stages of construction. Final inspections signal the end of the review process with new or renovated buildings receiving a formal certificate of occupancy, which allows the structure to become occupied.

The primary Divisions of the Building Department are:

  • Building Code Enforcement
  • Plumbing Code Enforcement
  • Electrical Code Enforcement
  • Fire Safety Code Enforcement
  • Property Maintenance Code Enforcement
  • Building Maintenance of Town Owned Facilities

Assisting Residents and Developers

Additionally, the department assists residents and developers with understanding ordinances and regulations that affect construction in Amherst. The following is a list of informational services that are also provided:

  • Handling Complaints About Zoning, Building, Property Maintenance or other Local Laws
  • Making Special Flood Hazard (SFHA) Determinations
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program
  • Investigating Fire Scenes
  • Juvenile Fire Setter Program

Building Department Organization Chart

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst was established in 1818 and celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018. The town has a geographical area of 53.6 square miles and a population of greater than 122,000.

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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Town of Amherst ADA Coordinators are Robert McCarthy (Director of Human Resources) and Mark Berke (Commissioner of Buildings).

Click for more information about ADA.

Website Contact

The Town of Amherst takes great pride in providing useful, timely and accurate information through its official website. We encourage public participation in our website and ask that you provide your feedback to help us make our site even better. Contact the website administrator at toawebsite@amherst.ny.us.

Get in Touch

  • General Information:
    (716) 631-7000
  • Email:
    toainfo@amherst.ny.us
  • Address:
    Municipal Building (Town Hall)
  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221