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1. Do I need a building permit?

Requirements for Building Permit Application

• Please refer to Chapter 125 and Chapter 407 of the Code of the Town of Grand Island before considering any construction project. Be advised that your project may be subject to review by the Architectural Review Board and or the Zoning Board of Appeals. If you have a commercial project, site plan approval will be required from the Planning Board and the Town Board.
• Refer to Chapter 125, Section 125-5A2 of the Town Code to see if your project requires a building permit.
• Refer to Chapter 125 (Construction Code) of the Town Code for the projects that require a building permit, such as a dwelling, garage, dock deck, pools, solar panels, generator, etc. Please note that as of October 3, 2016, the State of New York recognizes the codes from the International Code Council. Please contact your design professional or the Town Building department for any assistance with these codes.
• Be advised that a Grand Island licensed electrician and/or plumber are required to perform this type of work.
• Refer to Chapter 407 for your Zoning requirements, such as setback and height requirements, special use permits, agricultural animal permits, and variance applications.
• Refer to Chapter 407 Schedules 1 through 4 for references to setback requirements in all districts, off-street parking requirements, and Zoning schedule of use controls in all districts.
• Refer to Section 407-18 for Special setback requirements such as riverside and county road setbacks.
• Please review Section 407-5 (Compliance required), Section 407-9 (Word Usage), and Section 407-10 (Definitions) of the Zoning Code.
• After you have reviewed the requirements for your project please submit all your information to the Building and Zoning Department for code review.

Please contact the Building and Zoning Department at 716-773-9600 ext. 646, should you need any assistance or have any questions.

2. How Do I Get a Building Permit

Bring project description and survey to Building Department

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1. Cat or domestic animal issue?

>Call the SPCA at 716-875-8672.

2. Coyote Issue?

Call the Department of Environmental Conservation at 716-851-7000.

3. Rodents or Rabies?

Call the Erie County Health Department at 716-875-7360.

4. Other Wildlife Nuisance?

Contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Public Protection Dispatch at 716-851-7000 or Erie County Nuisance Wildlife.

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

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2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

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3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

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4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

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5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

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6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

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1. I recently sold my home, how do I close my account?

Prior to closing, please call the water billing department to schedule a final read and provide a forwarding address for the final bill. We will advise you of any adjustments that may apply to you at closing.

2. I am purchasing a home in Grand Island, how do I open an account?

Prior to closing, please call the water billing department to provide billing and contact information for the new account. We will advise you of any adjustments that may apply to you at closing.

3. I recently moved to Grand Island and haven’t received a water bill. When can I expect it?

Water bills are mailed out quarterly.  We do not prorate or bill for a partial quarter. Depending on your closing date, you may not receive a bill until your account has been active for a full quarter. Under this circumstance, your first bill will be for a longer period. We will let you know if this applies when you call to establish your account.

4. I went away for most of the winter. Why did I still get charged with a water bill?

There is a quarterly minimum charge for the delivery of water to a property regardless of whether there is usage or not. This charge is based on usage of  7,000 gallons of water.

5. Do I have to pay the sewer charge on water that does not directly go into the sewer (swimming pools, sprinkler systems)?

Yes.  All water used that passes through the meter is charged both rates. There will be no adjustments.

6. I made my last payment using on-line banking and the funds were withdrawn before the due date. Why am I seeing a late fee on my current bill?

Online check payments made via your bank are not electronically deposited to the Town bank account. These payments are mailed by your bank through the U.S. Mail and are posted on the date they are received in the clerk's office. To ensure that water bill payments are received in a timely manner, please be sure your online payment is processed at least 7 to 10 days prior to the water bill due date. To ensure that payments are posted correctly, please reference your current account number and / or service address on the check.

7. The due date of the 15th falls on the weekend when Town Hall is closed. How do I pay my bill without penalty?

If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are accepted penalty-free on the next business day. 

8. I just came home and found a notice on my door from the water department. What does it mean?

Water meters have a radio transponder on them which allows us to read the meter from the street. Occasionally, the reading may indicate that there is a problem with your service (leak, higher or lower than usual usage) or a problem with your meter (no usage). When this occurs, we will leave a door hanger at the property requesting that you contact our office. It is very important that you call the Town at your earliest convenience so that we can identify the problem as soon as possible. Non-compliance will result in a surcharge being added to your water bill.