On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for West Tisbury
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of West Tisbury except as exempted by 780 CMR 105.2.
Sheds of 120 square feet or less not used for habitation (provided setback requirements are met; West Tisbury has explicitly confirmed this exemption)
Fences not over 7 feet
Retaining walls under 4 feet
Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
All other standard 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions (see statewide overview)
- Exempt Sheds of 120 square feet or less not used for habitation (provided setback requirements are met; West Tisbury has explicitly confirmed this exemption)
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
- Exempt Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
- Exempt All other standard 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions (see statewide overview)
Note: Exemptions from building permit do NOT exempt work from trade permits or Conservation Commission jurisdiction.
Required documents
- Permit application via PermitEyes portal or paper form at Town Hall
- Site plan and construction drawings
- Workers' compensation certificate or exemption affidavit
- CSL (Construction Supervisor License for structures over 35,000 cf) and/or HIC (Home Improvement Contractor) number, or Homeowner Exemption Affidavit
- Trench Permit Application (fillable PDF) for any excavation work
- ConCom Order of Conditions (if applicable)
- MVC approval (if DRI)
- Workers Compensation Insurance Affidavit
- Building code
- 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th Edition effective October 11, 2024). New Electrical Code effective February 17, 2023 (527 CMR 12.00, based on 2023 NEC).
- 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.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a valid CSL (structures over 35,000 cf) or HIC registration for smaller residential work. Separate licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and gas work.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 1-2 weeks for standard permit review. Add 2-4 weeks for projects requiring zoning relief. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.
- 01 Verify proposed use and dimensions comply with West Tisbury Zoning Bylaws. Zoning Inspector enforces zoning requirements.
- 02 If work is within wetland buffer zone (100 feet from resource area; 200 feet from rivers), file with Conservation Commission and obtain Order of Conditions before permit issuance.
- 03 Refer large-scale projects to Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) before town action if they meet Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds. West Tisbury is a rural town with lower DRI lot-division thresholds (3 lots vs. 5 in nonrural areas).
- 04 Submit permit application via PermitEyes portal (permiteyes.us/westtisbury) or paper application at Town Hall.
- 05 Building Inspector reviews for 780 CMR compliance.
- 06 Pay permit fees upon approval; permit issuance.
- 07 Submit all inspection requests through Building Department via PermitEyes portal or Inspection Request Slip form.
- 08 Certificate of Occupancy issued after all inspections pass.
Typical processing time: 1-2 weeks for standard permit review. Add 2-4 weeks for projects requiring zoning relief. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 1, 2025 (PDF available but not in extractable form as of March 2026)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not confirmed in accessible sources
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Based on construction value; specific per-$1,000 rate not publicly accessible in extractable form. Download current Permit Fees PDF from westtisbury-ma.gov/390/Forms-Documents.
04
Trade permit fee
Separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and gas permits
Contact building department at (508) 696-0113 for current fee rate structure or download the July 1, 2025 Permit Fees PDF from the Forms and Documents page.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025 (PDF available but not in extractable form as of March 2026)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (508) 696-0113 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Submit Inspection Request Slip (PDF) or use PermitEyes portal
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
- Time windows
- Specific inspection time windows not published in accessible sources
Typical sequence: Standard inspection sequence per 780 CMR: footing/excavation, foundation, rough frame, insulation, final building. Trade inspections (rough and final electrical, plumbing, gas) scheduled through building department.
In-person inspection standard
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about West Tisbury permits
01 Do I need a building permit in West Tisbury, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of West Tisbury except as exempted by 780 CMR 105.2.
02 How much does a building permit cost in West Tisbury, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in West Tisbury, 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 accessible in extractable form. Download current Permit Fees PDF from westtisbury-ma.gov/390/Forms-Documents.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in West Tisbury, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in West Tisbury, MA, follow these steps: 1. Verify proposed use and dimensions comply with West Tisbury Zoning Bylaws. Zoning Inspector enforces zoning requirements. 2. If work is within wetland buffer zone (100 feet from resource area; 200 feet from rivers), file with Conservation Commission and obtain Order of Conditions before permit issuance. 3. Refer large-scale projects to Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) before town action if they meet Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds. West Tisbury is a rural town with lower DRI lot-division thresholds (3 lots vs. 5 in nonrural areas). 4. Submit permit application via PermitEyes portal (permiteyes.us/westtisbury) or paper application at Town Hall. 5. Building Inspector reviews for 780 CMR compliance. 6. Pay permit fees upon approval; permit issuance. 7. Submit all inspection requests through Building Department via PermitEyes portal or Inspection Request Slip form. 8. Certificate of Occupancy issued after all inspections pass.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in West Tisbury, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in West Tisbury, MA typically run 1-2 weeks for standard permit review. Add 2-4 weeks for projects requiring zoning relief. 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 West Tisbury, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in West Tisbury, MA. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds of 120 square feet or less not used for habitation (provided setback requirements are met; West Tisbury has explicitly confirmed this exemption); Fences not over 7 feet; Retaining walls under 4 feet; Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade; Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep; Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets); All other standard 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions (see statewide overview). Note: Exemptions from building permit do NOT exempt work from trade permits or Conservation Commission jurisdiction. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in West Tisbury, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in West Tisbury, MA via: (508) 696-0113. Submit Inspection Request Slip (PDF) or use PermitEyes portal.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/dukes/west-tisbury
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.