The officer of any city, village or town having power to approve plans for the construction and alteration of buildings shall, immediately upon the issuance of a permit for the construction or alteration of a building to be used for a factory or mercantile establishment as defined by this chapter, forward to the commissioner on forms provided by him a notice of the issue of such permit and such other information as he may require. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the city of New York.