Ithaca New York Housing Trade and Inspection Guide

Ithaca rental housing, accessory apartments, electrical, plumbing, heating, fire protection, elevator, housing inspection, and owner-occupancy issues should be checked before work, rental, or inspection scheduling.

Permit takeaway

Ithaca requires housing inspections for all residential rental dwellings in the city, including one- and two-family dwellings, multiple dwellings, dormitories, mixed-use residential occupancies, residential accessory structures, and accessory apartments.

Zoning and placement

Accessory apartments, owner occupancy, residential accessory structures, and rental use can create housing, zoning, and building questions beyond the construction permit.

Building and trade review

Housing inspection forms can include agency agreements, permission forms, fire protection systems, sprinkler forms, heating inspection reports, elevator certification, and major-items checklists.

Call before applying when

Call before applying if the property will be rented, includes an accessory apartment, has fire protection or sprinkler systems, includes heating appliance work, needs electrical or plumbing permits, or needs housing inspection forms.

Documents to prepare

• Housing inspection forms
• Agency agreement
• Permission form
• Heating inspection report when applicable
• Trade permit information

Inspection planning

• Confirm rental inspection requirement
• Submit signed forms
• Coordinate building, electrical, plumbing, and housing inspectors
• Attach testing reports
• Close inspection items

Official sources

• Ithaca Housing Inspections
• Ithaca Building Forms
• Ithaca Building Permit Information

This guide is a planning summary. Always verify the current requirements with the local office before starting work.