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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Edgartown
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Edgartown except as exempted by 780 CMR 105.2.
One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet in height
Retaining walls under 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not over 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep (under 5,000 gallons)
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater sets and scenery
Agricultural shade structures (nursery/agricultural cloth structures)
Playground equipment accessory to a detached residence
Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches
Non-fixed and movable partitions and racks under 5 feet 9 inches tall
Plastic-film-covered greenhouse structures
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not over 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep (under 5,000 gallons)
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater sets and scenery
- Exempt Agricultural shade structures (nursery/agricultural cloth structures)
- Exempt Playground equipment accessory to a detached residence
- Exempt Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches
- Exempt Non-fixed and movable partitions and racks under 5 feet 9 inches tall
- Exempt Plastic-film-covered greenhouse structures
Note: Exemption from building permit does NOT exempt work from specialized codes (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical). Separate trade permits may be required. Conservation Commission jurisdiction applies regardless of building permit exemption. Work within the Historic District still requires Historic District Commission review regardless of building permit exemption.
Required documents
- Completed permit application (signed by contractor or homeowner with exemption affidavit)
- Site plan showing lot dimensions, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks
- Construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections) — Massachusetts-licensed A/E stamp required for commercial
- Workers' compensation insurance certificate or affidavit of exemption
- CSL number (Construction Supervisor License for structures over 35,000 cubic feet) or HIC number (Home Improvement Contractor for smaller residential)
- Homeowner Exemption Affidavit (if owner pulling permit for primary residence)
- ConCom Order of Conditions (if within wetland buffer)
- Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness (if applicable)
- MVC approval (if DRI)
- Building code
- 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th Edition effective October 11, 2024; 9th Edition prior)
- Permit validity
- Must commence construction within 6 months of issuance. Work may lapse if suspended for 12 months.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners of a 1- or 2-family primary residence may pull permits without a CSL or HIC license but must file a Homeowner Exemption Affidavit and assume full contractor liability.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a valid CSL (structures over 35,000 cf) or HIC registration for residential work under that threshold. Separate licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and gas work (homeowners may pull own electrical permit only).
Source: Building Inspector's Office ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 1-2 weeks for simpler projects; 2-4 weeks for larger projects. Add 2-3 months for projects requiring zoning variance, Historic District review, or ConCom approval. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.
- 01 Verify zoning compliance with Edgartown Zoning Bylaw (planning-regulations page).
- 02 Obtain Historic District Commission Certificate of Appropriateness if property is in the Edgartown Village Historic District (exterior alterations visible from public way).
- 03 File Notice of Intent with Conservation Commission if work is within 200 feet of wetland resource area (or 300 feet in Edgartown Ponds Area District); obtain Order of Conditions before building permit issuance.
- 04 Refer large-scale projects to Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) if they meet Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds before town action.
- 05 Submit building permit application online via portal (or in person with $200 surcharge). Homeowners using exemption must file Homeowner Exemption Affidavit.
- 06 Building Inspector reviews submitted plans for 780 CMR compliance.
- 07 Permit issuance after approval; construction must commence within 6 months.
- 08 Schedule building, electrical, plumbing, and gas inspections through building department.
- 09 Certificate of Occupancy issued after all final inspections pass.
Typical processing time: 1-2 weeks for simpler projects; 2-4 weeks for larger projects. Add 2-3 months for projects requiring zoning variance, Historic District review, or ConCom approval. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.
Source: Building Inspector's Office ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective September 15, 2025 (exact rate not publicly disclosed)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not confirmed in accessible sources
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee (no separate charge mentioned)
03
Permit fee formula
Based on construction value; specific per-$1,000 rate not publicly disclosed post-September 2025. Contact department for current rate.
04
Trade permit fee
Separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and gas permits (set by respective inspectors per state guidelines)
05
Reinspection fee
Not confirmed in accessible sources
Payment accepted at time of permit issuance. Verify accepted payment methods with department.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective September 15, 2025 (exact rate not publicly disclosed)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (508) 627-6115 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Standard business day scheduling; specific deadline not published
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Time windows
- Specific inspection time windows not published in accessible sources; contact department
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: excavation and footing, foundation, rough frame, insulation, final building. Trade inspections (rough and final electrical, plumbing, gas) coordinated separately.
Remote or digital inspections may be used at inspector discretion for certain inspection types
Source: Building Inspector's Office ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Edgartown permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Edgartown, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Edgartown except as exempted by 780 CMR 105.2.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Edgartown, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Edgartown, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Not confirmed in accessible sources. Fees are calculated as: Based on construction value; specific per-$1,000 rate not publicly disclosed post-September 2025. Contact department for current rate.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee (no separate charge mentioned).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Edgartown, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Edgartown, MA, follow these steps: 1. Verify zoning compliance with Edgartown Zoning Bylaw (planning-regulations page). 2. Obtain Historic District Commission Certificate of Appropriateness if property is in the Edgartown Village Historic District (exterior alterations visible from public way). 3. File Notice of Intent with Conservation Commission if work is within 200 feet of wetland resource area (or 300 feet in Edgartown Ponds Area District); obtain Order of Conditions before building permit issuance. 4. Refer large-scale projects to Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) if they meet Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds before town action. 5. Submit building permit application online via portal (or in person with $200 surcharge). Homeowners using exemption must file Homeowner Exemption Affidavit. 6. Building Inspector reviews submitted plans for 780 CMR compliance. 7. Permit issuance after approval; construction must commence within 6 months. 8. Schedule building, electrical, plumbing, and gas inspections through building department. 9. Certificate of Occupancy issued after all final inspections pass.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Edgartown, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Edgartown, MA typically run 1-2 weeks for simpler projects; 2-4 weeks for larger projects. Add 2-3 months for projects requiring zoning variance, Historic District review, or ConCom approval. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Edgartown, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Edgartown, MA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet in height; Retaining walls under 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall); Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not over 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep (under 5,000 gallons); Temporary motion picture, television, and theater sets and scenery; Agricultural shade structures (nursery/agricultural cloth structures); Playground equipment accessory to a detached residence; Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches; Non-fixed and movable partitions and racks under 5 feet 9 inches tall; Plastic-film-covered greenhouse structures. Note: Exemption from building permit does NOT exempt work from specialized codes (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical). Separate trade permits may be required. Conservation Commission jurisdiction applies regardless of building permit exemption. Work within the Historic District still requires Historic District Commission review regardless of building permit exemption. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Edgartown, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Edgartown, MA via: (508) 627-6115. Standard business day scheduling; specific deadline not published.
last verified April 2026
source Building Inspector's Office ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/dukes/edgartown
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Inspector's Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.