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Permits and Applications /  Electrical Permits

Electrical Permit

Please be advised that all Electrical projects require a completed Amherst Building Department Permit Application. Requirements for submitting an Electrical Permit Application are found below. Requirements vary based upon whether the work is taking place on a Residential or Commercial property and if the Homeowner or Contractor is performing the work.

The Town of Amherst recommends using our Online Permit Application portal (Amherst Permits, Inspections & Inquiries). In person applications may require an appointment and result in delays in the application process.

Unit locations must adhere to manufactures specs for building separation and keep 3’ from all setbacks.

  1. Flood Plain check

    Use the attached link to verify if you may be in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This item does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work. If the proposed work falls within the SFHA please contact the building department for information on how to proceed.

    Town of Amherst SFHA Map

  2. CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form

    The Homeowner must provide a completed CE-200 insurance exemption form requested from New York State with the Amherst Building Permit Application. Please review the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (CE-200) Guide for information about how to apply for a CE-200 Exemption Form. New York State will provide a CE-200 certificate upon approval. It is recommended that the Homeowner apply for and receive the CE-200 certificate prior to applying for a Roofing or Siding Building Permit.

  3. Completed Electrical Permit Application Form

    The Homeowner must complete an Amherst Building Department Electrical Permit Application. The online form allows the Homeowner to electronically complete this application and download the completed form (in PDF format). A printable application is also available.

  4. Manufactures specs on the proposed unit

  5. Property Survey indicating where on the property the proposed unit will be located (Does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work)

  6. Submission process

    If you have received your CE-200 Exemption Form and completed the Electrical Permit Application Form, you are ready to proceed to the Town of Amherst Online Permit Submission Portal. This online portal requires a registered user account. You may also choose to apply by mail or in person (please see instructions below).

    To apply online:

    • If you have not registered, please proceed to the online portal user registration page. The registration process and email confirmation can be accomplished in a few minutes. Once you have received your user account confirmation via email, you may proceed to the online portal login page.
    • If you have already registered, please proceed to the online portal login page.
    • When you reach the application page, you must attach the completed application in the attachments section.

    To apply by mail or in person:

    • If you choose to apply by mail or in person, you must include a CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form and a completed Electrical Permit Application Form. As noted above, in person applications may require an appointment and result in delays in the application process.
  1. Flood Plain check

    Use the attached link to verify if you may be in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This item does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work. If the proposed work falls within the SFHA please contact the building department for information on how to proceed.

    Town of Amherst SFHA Map

  2. You must be on file as a Registered Contractor with the Town of Amherst

    If you are NOT a Registered Contractor (on file with the Town of Amherst Building Department), you must fill out and have notarized the Town of Amherst Home Improvement Contractor Registration Form. Completed forms must be returned to the Amherst Building Department, 5583 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221

    List of Registered Home Improvement Contractors

  3. If you are a Registered Contractor with the Town of Amherst, you must have current insurance certificates on file with the Town of Amherst Building Department. These include:

    • Workers Compensation (Form C105.2 only)
    • Disability (Form DB120.1 only)
    • If you are exempt from Workers’ Compensation and/or Disability Insurance, you must provide a CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form with each permit application. Please review the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (CE-200) Guide for information about how to apply for a CE-200 Exemption Form. New York State will provide a CE-200 certificate upon approval. It is recommended that the Registered Contractor apply for and receive the CE-200 certificate prior to applying for a Roofing / Siding Building Permit.

      If you are unsure what insurance forms you currently have on file with the Town please contact the Building Department at (716) 631-7080

  4. Completed Electrical Permit Application Form

    The Registered Contractor must complete an Amherst Building Department Electrical Permit Application. The online form allows the Homeowner to electronically complete this application and download the completed form (in PDF format). A printable application is also available.

  5. Flood Plain check

    Use the attached link to verify if you may be in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This item does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work. If the proposed work falls within the SFHA please contact the building department for information on how to proceed.

    Town of Amherst SFHA Map

  6. Manufactures specs on the proposed unit

  7. Property Survey indicating where on the property the proposed unit will be located (This item does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work)

  8. Submission process

    If you have received your CE-200 Exemption Form and completed the Electrical Permit Application Form, you are ready to proceed to the Town of Amherst Online Permit Submission Portal. This online portal requires a registered user account. You may also choose to apply by mail or in person (please see instructions below).

    To apply online:

    • If you have not registered, please proceed to the online portal user registration page. The registration process and email confirmation can be accomplished in a few minutes. Once you have received your user account confirmation via email, you may proceed to the online portal login page.
    • If you have already registered, please proceed to the online portal login page.
    • When you reach the application page, you must attach the completed application in the attachments section.

    To apply by mail or in person:

    • If you choose to apply by mail or in person, you must include a CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form and a completed Electrical Permit Application Form. As noted above, in person applications may require an appointment and result in delays in the application process.

To perform commercial electrical work, you must be on file as a Registered Contractor with the Town of Amherst.

If you are NOT a Registered Contractor (on file with the Town of Amherst Building Department), you must fill out and have notarized the Town of Amherst Home Improvement Contractor Registration Form. Completed forms must be returned to the Amherst Building Department, 5583 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221.

List of Registered Home Improvement Contractors

  1. If you are a Registered Contractor with the Town of Amherst, you must have current insurance certificates on file with the Town of Amherst Building Department. These include:

    • Workers Compensation (Form C105.2 only)
    • Disability (Form DB120.1 only)
    • If you are exempt from Workers’ Compensation and/or Disability Insurance, you must provide a CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form with each permit application. Please review the Certificate of Attestation of Exemption (CE-200) Guide {LINK} for information about how to apply for a CE-200 Exemption Form. New York State will provide a CE-200 certificate upon approval. It is recommended that the Registered Contractor apply for and receive the CE-200 certificate prior to applying for a Roofing / Siding Building Permit.

      If you are unsure what insurance forms you currently have on file with the Town please contact the Building Department at (716) 631-7080.


  2. Completed Electrical Permit Application Form

    The Registered Contractor must complete an Amherst Building Department Electrical Permit Application. The online form allows the Homeowner to electronically complete this application and download the completed form (in PDF format). A printable application is also available.

  3. New units on a commercial site may require site plan approval from the Planning Department

    If you are doing work on a commercial property of a new accessory unit, please contact the Planning Department at (716)631-7051.

  4. Flood Plain check

    Use the attached link to verify if you may be in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This item does not apply to service, smoke/CO detector or fixture work. If the proposed work falls within the SFHA please contact the building department for information on how to proceed.

    Town of Amherst SFHA Map

  5. New units on a commercial site may require screening from the Planning Department

  6. Submission process

    If you have received your CE-200 Exemption Form and completed the Electrical Permit Application Form, you are ready to proceed to the Town of Amherst Online Permit Submission Portal. This online portal requires a registered user account. You may also choose to apply by mail or in person (please see instructions below).

    To apply online:

    • If you have not registered, please proceed to the online portal user registration page. The registration process and email confirmation can be accomplished in a few minutes. Once you have received your user account confirmation via email, you may proceed to the online portal login page.
    • If you have already registered, please proceed to the online portal login page.
    • When you reach the application page, you must attach the completed application in the attachments section.

    To apply by mail or in person:

    • If you choose to apply by mail or in person, you must include a CE-200 Insurance Exemption Form and a completed Electrical Permit Application Form. As noted above, in person applications may require an appointment and result in delays in the application process.

After your permit has been issued by a Code Enforcement Officer, you will be instructed to call your assigned inspector. All calls for Residential Mechanical permit inspections should be directed to following:


Joseph Hoehman
Senior Electrical Inspector
jhoehman@amherst.ny.us
631-7060


John Garven
Asst. Electrical Inspector
jgarven@amherst.ny.us
631-7070


Gary Naylor
Asst. Electrical Inspector
gnaylor@amherst.ny.us
631-7165

To find out who your inspector is for, please view this Interactive Inspection Territories Map to view which of the above inspectors is assigned to your job site.

After your permit has been issued by a Code Enforcement Officer, you will be instructed to call your assigned inspector. All calls for Commercial Electrical permit inspections should be directed to following:


Joseph Hoehman
Senior Electrical Inspector
jhoehman@amherst.ny.us
631-7060


John Garven
Asst. Electrical Inspector
jgarven@amherst.ny.us
631-7070


Gary Naylor
Asst. Electrical Inspector
gnaylor@amherst.ny.us
631-7165

If you are unsure who your inspector is for, please visit this Interactive Inspection Territories Map to view which of the above inspectors is assigned to your job site.

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

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  • Email:
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  • Address:
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  • 5583 Main Street
  • Williamsville, NY 14221


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