HomeMy WebLinkAboutCodes Dept 2025 Annual Report1
Town of Ithaca
Department of Code Enforcement (and Zoning)
2025 Year End Report
The Department:
In 2025, our department experienced no changes in personnel. The team consists of five field inspectors, one director, and tw o
administrative assistants.
Accomplishments in 2025:
In addition to the items identified in the matrix below, the following activities were completed in 2025:
• Development Review
o Reviewed 17 new development applications in coordination with the Planning and Engineering Departments.
o Notable projects included Beginnings Credit Union, Maplewood II, the Cornell open-air aviary, multiple
subdivisions and lot line modifications, Ithaca College residence hall renovations, and Learning Farm site plan
revisions.
o Met with developers, in coordination with Planning and Engineering staff, to review proposed development
scenarios prior to formal application submission.
• Zoning Board of Appeals
o Processed, reviewed, and organized 35 Zoning Board of Appeals applications, including associated public
hearings.
• Fee Schedule Updates
o Updated building permit fees and consolidated Engineering and Public Works Department fees into a single
comprehensive fee schedule.
• Local Law Review and Amendments
o Reviewed and provided comments on proposed amendments to:
▪ Chapter 234 – Subdivision of Land Regulations
▪ Chapter 270 – Ordinary High Water Line
▪ Chapter 270 – Permit to Build (amended language)
▪ Chapter 270 – Zoning Violations and Penalties (amended language)
▪ Chapter 270 – Accessory Buildings in Side Yards (Residential Zones)
▪ Chapter 270 – Short-Term Rentals in Conservation Zones
▪ Chapter 270 – Public Hearing Notice Requirements and Variance Expiration Timeframes
▪ Chapter 144 – Ithaca Energy Code (updated to include net-zero requirements for new commercial and
residential buildings)
▪ Chapter 157 – Flood Damage Prevention Law
• Ithaca Energy Code
o Participated in the Ithaca Energy Code Working Group with the Planning Department to update the Energy
Code.
• Interdepartmental Support
o Provided front office coverage for the Town Clerk’s Department on an as-needed basis.
• Training and Representation
o Represented the Town at FEMA Floodplain Review trainings and meetings.
• Short-Term Rental Monitoring
o Published a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a short-term rental monitoring company, resulting in the
selection and transition to a new monitoring provider.
Goals:
• Develop an Energy Code checklist for individuals to utilize when applying for permit applications.
• Update and develop documents pertaining to the 2025 NYS Uniform Code that can be used by our department.
• Update and develop documents pertaining to the 2025 NYS Uniform Code for applicants and add them to our department
website page to assist applicants in understanding what is required for certain applications.
• Continue to work with the Engineering Department and the Public Works Department on various projects.
• Continue to work with the Planning Department and Town Committees on local law amendment proposals.
• Provide training to staff, contractors, architects, engineers, and other professions about the Ithaca energy Code and 2025
NYS energy Code.
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• Conduct an in-depth review of fire inspections that are conducted by the IFD for the Town
• Provide training staff in situational awareness and de-escalation techniques.
• Continue to work with the Ithaca Fire Department and the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control to issue operating
permits and fire inspections for large properties, such as Cornell and Ithaca College, based on their inspection reports.
• Continue to strengthen our intermunicipal relationships.
Current major projects carrying over to next year:
• Cornell:
o Cornell Game Farm Road Field Hockey Complex
•
• 602 Elmira Road, Storage Facility project • Coddington Road Community Center expansion
• 635 Elmira Rd., Comfort Inn Hotel • Beginnings Credit Union interior alterations
• Cayuga Medical Center Pharmacy • Cayuga Medical Center Generator Building
• 1358 Mecklenburg Rd., Carrowmoor Solar project • Ithaca College Track, Stadium, and Buildings
Anticipated major projects for next year:
• Cornell:
o Mirabito Gas Station – redevelopment
o Maplewood II- housing project
• Possible amendments to chapter 125, due to updates
required by NYS from the adoption of the 2025 NYS
Uniform Code and Energy Code.
• 602 Elmira Rd, Storage Facility project • Verizon Wireless Personal Wireless Service Facility
(tower)
• 272 Enfield Falls Rd, Learning Farm Kitchen • South Works Development- two phases of the residential
portion of the project
• Continued review of the Subdivision law
amendments
• Bomber Heights, Solar project
• Review the sprinkler local law for any amendments or updates, based on updates to the 2025 NYS Uniform Code
amendments.
Conclusion:
In 2025, we experienced another increase in the total number of permits submitted and issued. The year remained very active and
served as a transition period, with continued training of a new staff member. Our department remains committed to strengthening
internal training, particularly in the use of the OpenGov and Deckard databases. Ongoing training not only improves operational
efficiency but also ensures consistent application and enforcement of newly adopted and amended local laws. We continue to ac tively
review and provide feedback on proposed local law changes to support clarity and effective implementation. With recent updates to
the New York State Uniform Code Collection, we anticipate the need for additional training and associated expenses to ensure staff
remain current with updated requirements. We are committed to improving inter-department communication, streamlining system
workflows, fostering collaborations between departments, and strengthening municipal relationships. Our unwavering goal remains to
assist, whenever possible, our constituents, applicants, and the general public. We will continue to prioritize providing exceptional
service while maintaining the utmost importance of public health and safety.
A comprehensive summary of reports and activities is provided below. Attached to this report are supplementary graphs and a matrix
from our department. Upon request, a copy of the report submitted to the State can be provided.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marty Moseley
Director of Code Enforcement
(and Zoning Department)
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Condensed view of the 2025 activity for the Code Enforcement (and Zoning) Department
All Applications: 1256
All Permits Issued: 1119
Address Issued/Re-Issued 53
Sign Permit Applications 30
Sign Permits Issued 23
Total Inspections Conducted: 6107
Stop Work Orders Issued: 3
Do Not Occupy Notice: 2
Order to Remedies Issued: 23
Total Certificates Issued: 691
Temporary Certificates Issued: 21
Operating Permit/Fire Safety Applications: 376
Operating Permits Issued: 227
Short Term Rental Applications Received: 28
Short Term Rental Permits Issued: 27
Fire Safety Certificates Issued: 163
Rental Registry Applications Received: 70
Rental Registry Operating Permits Issued 93
Complaints Received: 168
Zoning Compliance Letters 14
Zoning Variance Applications Received: 35
Zoning Variances Approved: 28
Zoning Variances Withdrawn 6
Total Fees Collected: $ 443,403.20
Total Cost of Construction: $ 89,701,294.43
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2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Number of Permits Issued vs Inspections Conducted
Inspections Conducted Permits issued
4
$-
$50,000.00
$100,000.00
$150,000.00
$200,000.00
$250,000.00
$300,000.00
$350,000.00
$400,000.00
$450,000.00
$500,000.00
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$20,000,000.00
$40,000,000.00
$60,000,000.00
$80,000,000.00
$100,000,000.00
$120,000,000.00
$140,000,000.00
$160,000,000.00
$180,000,000.00
$200,000,000.00
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Cost of Construction vs Fees Collected
Cost of Construction Fees Collected
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$20,000,000.00
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$120,000,000.00
$140,000,000.00
$160,000,000.00
$180,000,000.00
$200,000,000.00
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Cost of Construction vs Permits Issued
Cost of Construction Permits issued