Elmira Fire Department


Inspections
Inspections are important for fire safety The Division of Inspection Services of the Elmira Fire Department is responsible for the compliance of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the City of Elmira’s Code of Ordinances, and the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Elmira for all properties in the City of Elmira. Inspectors perform routine required inspections throughout the process of construction for new structures after the issuance of a building permit. Inspectors also patrol neighborhoods in Elmira looking for property maintenance issues, code violations, and quality of life concerns.

Permit Inspections
After you are issued a permit, you will need to have the work that is done inspected at specific intervals of the building process. Required inspections may include the following:

  • inspection of footing before pouring concrete
  • inspection of foundation before backfill
  • inspection of framing before enclosing
  • inspection of insulation before enclosing
  • inspection of electrical before enclosing
  • inspection of plumbing before enclosing
  • inspection of progress
  • inspection of HVAC units and systems
  • final inspection after completion
  • other inspections necessary depending on the project

Please contact Inspection Services AT LEAST ONE DAY IN ADVANCE to schedule an inspection. The cost of an inspection is covered by the permit fee.
»Click here for more on permits

Commercial Inspections
Section 9-27 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Elmira requires that
all structures that are classified by the New York State Fire Code as assembly, multiple dwelling, senior citizen housing, and adult residential care facilities have an annual inspection conducted to ensure compliance with all applicable codes. In addition, all structures classified by the New York State Fire Code as mercantile, industrial, storage, institutional and miscellaneous facilities must be inspected as often as necessary and at least once every two years.

The Elmira Fire Department performs these annual inspections at a cost of $37.50 per hour. These inspections allow city firefighters to become familiar with the property and will result in better service should the Fire Department ever need to fight and control a fire on the property. These inspections certify that the property is free of code violations and can be used to obtain better insurance rates.

The owner may choose to hire any other inspector that is qualified to conduct New York State Fire Safety Inspections. The inspector should send a copy of the inspection report to the Inspection Services Division of the Elmira Fire Department.

To understand what the inspectors will be looking for, you can download a copy of the inspection forms the inspectors will use.
»Fire Safety Inspection Report
»Multiple Dwelling Inspection Report

Code Violation Inspections
Violations must be corrected right awayInspectors conduct code violation inspections on a property when a complaint has been received. The inspector will investigate the complaint and issue any violations that are readily visible on the property. Inspectors will also drive or walk through city neighborhoods to ensure compliance with codes. If there is a code violation, an inspection is automatically scheduled for 15 days following the date of the citation. The property owner will receive a letter informing him or her of the code violation and the recommended actions to take to remedy the violation. If the problem is corrected sooner, you may call to request a re-inspection before the 15 days.
»Click here for more on Code Violations