Frequently Asked Questions

Fees are calculated on a per-inspection basis. For residential permits, permit fees are $45 per inspection. A new dwelling requiring a service, rough and final inspection, for example, will garner a $135 electrical permit fee. If the service is underground another $45 inspection fee will be added. Similarly, commercial permit fees are also based on the number of required inspections, but at the rate of $100 per inspection. Failed inspections are subject to an additional inspection fee, and must be re-inspected.

If it is a gas water heater, both a gas and plumbing permit will be required. The fee is $95 for both permits.

Pricing of a building permit is contingent upon the type of work being done and/or square footage of new construction. It is important to note that if electrical/plumbing and/or gas work is being done in connection with building changes, these permits must be obtained separately. Please refer to the 2019 Permit Fees posted on the left side of the webpage.

• First and foremost a permit must be obtained to ensure the work performed, or installation of a product, is done in accordance with the MA Building Codes and local regulations. The building department is in charge of ensuring this work is done properly to protect the safety of the occupants of the structure. It is in your best interest to call the building department to inquire if a permit is required if you are unsure. As the homeowner, you are ultimately responsible for any and all improvements on your property.
• Your insurance company can refuse to pay for claims for water, wind, fire, or vandalism damage or a personal injury claim that involves unpermitted improvements; i.e. new structures such as additions, decks, and swimming pools, just to name a few.
• You could be in violation of the building code; this can lead to fines and a potentially expensive path to rectify the violations. These violations could include flood zone regulations as well.
• There are no tax savings as you will be assessed on the improvements during a re-evaluation from the Assessors.
• In the event that you sell your home, the banks will become aware of the unpermitted work and will then require the proper documentation to be filed and inspections performed. This could delay the sale of your home significantly.
• If the work involves an addition or deck that constitutes a zoning violation, it could require a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Failure to obtain approval from the ZBA could result in the removal of any work that violates the zoning bylaws.
• The permit fee will be doubled for work that is performed without the necessary permits. These fees could be very costly.

All work to construct, repair, renovate, or demolish a structure requires a building permit. This includes major construction as well as smaller projects, including but not limited to:

• Wood/pellet stoves
• Vinyl siding
• Roof reshingling
• Replacement windows
• Swimming pools (inground and aboveground)
• Sheds of 200 square feet or larger for Residential only

The codes pertaining to work do not require a building permit. It is always best to check with the building department prior to starting any project of which you may be unsure. Also keep in mind that just because a building permit is not required other permits or approvals may be required such as electrical, plumbing, and gas, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Board of Health and Conservation to name a few.

R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit. Except for activities that may require a permit pursuant to other laws, and the specialized codes of M.G.L. c. 143, § 96, a building permit is not required for the following activities:

• One-story detached accessory structures provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2).
• Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Water tanks are supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
• Sidewalks and driveways.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work.
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
• Swings and other playground equipment (also refer to 521 CMR for accessibility requirements as applicable)
• Window awnings are supported by an exterior wall that does not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, and are not attached to a dwelling do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4. Proposed 9th Edition of 780 CMR (Residential Volume) 13
• Greenhouses are covered exclusively with plastic film. This exemption does not apply if the greenhouse is to be used for large assemblies of people or uses other than normally expected for this purpose.

Yes. The process is similar to that of requesting a Special Permit or Variance. A $300 fee still applies, as does the provision of 17 sets of plans/correspondence, legal notice, abutter notification, advertising, etc.

First, an application must be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals Administrative Assistant, along with a check for $300 and 17 copies of plans of your project, which must include configurations of the property to scale, including dimensional data; dimensioned location, and outline of any structures existing on the property or which are proposed; and elevation and plan drawings of structures which are subjects of the application, in sufficient detail to illustrate the intent of the application. Once the application is reviewed and determined to be complete, it will be processed within five days; a date within 90 days of the receipt of your application will be set for the hearing, and legal notices will be sent to you and your agent (if applicable) as well as all neighbors within 300 feet of your property. The hearing will also be advertised in a newspaper in general circulation within the town in two successive weekly editions, Various Town Boards and Departments will be notified, and the Zoning Board of all abutting towns will be notified.

The Building Commissioner can determine whether or not an appeal to the Zoning Board is necessary, and can advise you further what will be required to request a hearing with the Board.

If your lot is found to be "non-conforming" it means that your lot is not in conformance with current zoning regulations. In order to add on or alter structures on your property, you may need to obtain a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, or a Variance from the zoning by-laws.

The Building Department has plans on file for many properties in town and may be able to assist you with this. Otherwise, you must contact a Registered Land Surveyor to prepare a plan for you

No. Plot plans can only be prepared by a Registered Land Surveyor, and must bear his/her stamp.

The purpose of a plot plan is to determination of compliance with dimensional controls of the Zoning By-Law. A mortgage plan is only a rough approximation of where the house is located and was prepared only for mortgage purposes. Due to the inaccuracy of these plans, they can only be used if the project is far in excess of the required setbacks. If the plan shows that your project will be close to the required setbacks, a more accurate plan will be required.

If the work involves a new structure (including such elements as sheds and swimming pools) or an addition to an existing structure, a plot plan, also called a site plan, is required by law.

Oil burners are permitted and inspected by the Fire Department. They can be reached to set up inspections and/or walk-throughs at 508-748-3595.

No. These calls must be made by a licensed plumber or electrician. (See more information about this under "Electrical" and "Plumbing" subheadings.)

This card must be posted in a location visible from the street and accessible to all inspectors. Generally, the best location is inside a front storm door. If the card is not accessible to an inspector at the time of the inspection, this will result in a failure of the inspection and will be subject to an additional inspection fee.

Yes. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to call the Building Department to arrange for the required inspections. Required inspections are indicated on the inspection record card, which you receive when your permit is approved. If you have questions about required inspections, we urge you to contact the office. If necessary inspections are skipped, it may result in the removal of walls, insulation, structure, etc., in order to gain access to the components which must be inspected.

All final inspections must be performed in order for a certificate of occupancy/completion to be issued. Final electrical, gas, and plumbing inspections must be set up, performed, and signed off. A final walk-through and sign-off by the Fire Department must also be completed. Once these are complete, call the Building Department to set up the final building inspection. Your certificate of occupancy/completion will be issued, contingent upon passing all final inspections, within 30 days of the final building inspection.

Section 114.3 of the State Building Code states that "any permit issued shall be deemed abandoned and invalid unless the work authorized by it shall have commenced within 6 months after its issuance." Extensions may be granted if necessary if such requests for extensions are submitted in writing. Once the work has commenced, and if inspections are being requested on a regular basis, there is no restriction on the amount of time given to complete a project.

The Building Department has a maximum of 30 days in which to issue or deny a building permit. The actual time can vary from one day up to the maximum 30-day limit, depending on the number of applications ahead of yours, and the scope of the work.

No. Work cannot proceed until the permit has been issued.

Call the Building Department. Our gas inspections are performed during afternoon hours Monday through Thursday. We can usually set up inspections within 24 hours of your request.

No. The inspection must be called in by the licensed gas fitter who performed the work.

Residential permits

• There is a $50 fee for the permit, which includes the rough and final inspection.  There is a $40 per inspection additional fee, plus $10 per fixture. 

Commercial permits

• There is a $60 fee for the permit, which includes the rough and final inspection.  There is a $60 per inspection additional fee, plus $15 per fixture. 
• Failed inspections are subject to an additional inspection fee, and must be re-inspected.

No. Massachusetts law requires that licensed gas fitters pull any and all gas permits.

Number A gas permit must be pulled by a licensed gas fitter in order to make renovations, additions, removals, or changes of any kind.

Call the Building Department. Our plumbing inspections are performed during afternoon hours Monday through Thursday. We can usually set up inspections within 24 hours of your request.

No. The inspection must be called in by the licensed plumber who performed the work.

Residential permits

• There is a $50 fee for the permit, which includes rough and final inspections. There is a $40 fee for each additional inspection, plus $10 per fixture.

Commercial permits

• There is a $50 fee for the permit, which includes rough and final inspections. There is a $60 per inspection additional fee, plus $15 per fixture.
• Failed inspections are subject to an additional inspection fee, and must be re-inspected.

No. Massachusetts law requires that a licensed plumber pull any and all plumbing permits.

Call the Building Department. Our Wiring Inspector performs inspections Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 4 and 5 pm If you call us by 2, we can usually set up the inspection for the same day.

No. The inspection must be called in by the licensed electrician who performed the work.

According to the Massachusetts Electrical Code, a homeowner may perform electrical work provided that:

• The work being done is residential, not commercial; and
• The person performing the work is the property owner; and
• The person performing the work resides at the property.
• The person performing the work must get prior approval from the Wiring Inspector.

All four of these conditions must be met in order for a homeowner to perform their own electrical work.

Not necessarily. It's best to ask your general contractor and/or electrician for copies of all necessary permits in order to ascertain the permits are being pulled. When permits of any kind are obtained from the Building Department, paper copies are always provided.

No. You must pull a separate electrical permit to make electrical renovations, additions, removals, or changes of any kind.

No. You must pull a separate electrical permit to make electrical renovations, additions, removals, or changes of any kind.