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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Chicopee
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Chicopee. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit.
Detached 1-story accessory structures under 120 sq. ft.
Fences under 7 feet
Interior finish work (painting, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops, tiling)
Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
Retaining walls under 4 feet (from footing bottom to top)
- Exempt Detached 1-story accessory structures under 120 sq. ft.
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet
- Exempt Interior finish work (painting, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops, tiling)
- Exempt Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet (from footing bottom to top)
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Department before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed permit application (PermitEyes or paper)
- Workers' Compensation Insurance affidavit (if hiring contractors)
- CSL and HIC numbers for contractors (required on application)
- Plot plan (one PDF copy + 1 paper copy)
- Construction drawings/plans (one PDF set + 2 paper copies)
- Homeowner affidavit for owner-occupant projects
- Separate applications required for each trade (electrical, plumbing, gas)
- Building code
- Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (10th Edition effective July 1, 2025; based on 2021 IBC/IRC)
- Permit validity
- Work must commence within 6 months of permit issuance or the permit lapses. An inactive permit also lapses if work is suspended for 6 months.
- Owner-builder
- Owners of detached 1- or 2-family dwellings who reside or intend to reside in the home may pull the building permit themselves. Homeowner assumes full contractor liability. Exemption does not extend to electrical, plumbing, or gas permits.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold valid Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) licenses registered with OCABR. Both licenses required for residential work.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time varies; 30-day statutory maximum per Massachusetts law.
- 01 Create a PermitEyes account (registration takes under 5 minutes) or log in if existing user.
- 02 Complete the online permit application form for the applicable permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, gas).
- 03 Scan and upload all required documentation as PDF (plot plan, drawings, workers' comp affidavit, license copies). Maximum file size 10 MB.
- 04 Submit application; Building Department routes it to relevant departments for sign-off (Health, DPW, Fire as applicable).
- 05 Track sign-off status online via PermitEyes account. Permit is not officially submitted until all required sign-offs are approved.
- 06 Pay fees online (MasterCard, Discover, e-check) or in person at 115 Baskin Drive.
- 07 Permit is issued; post at job site.
- 08 Schedule inspections by contacting the Building Department directly.
- 09 Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies; 30-day statutory maximum per Massachusetts law.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective January 1, 2017 (verify current rates with department)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$320 (residential new construction, up to 1,000 sq. ft.)
02
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction flat rate by square footage: up to 1,000 sq. ft. = $320; 1,001-2,000 sq. ft. = $420; 2,001+ sq. ft. = $520. Deduct $20 if filed online.
03
Reinspection fee
$30
04
Penalty (no permit)
Double the permit fee for building without a permit
In person by check/money order, or online by MasterCard, Discover, or electronic check. Fees are non-refundable. Online discount: $20 off permit fees when submitted online.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective January 1, 2017 (verify current rates with department)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building Department (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. Inspector office hours (walk-in/calls): 7:00 -- 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 -- 2:00 p.m. daily
Typical sequence: Required inspection stages: foundation/footing, rough framing, rough trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, gas), insulation, final building inspection, final trade sign-offs. Work must not proceed past each stage until preceding inspection is passed.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Chicopee permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Chicopee, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Chicopee. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Chicopee, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Chicopee, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $320 (residential new construction, up to 1,000 sq. ft.). Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction flat rate by square footage: up to 1,000 sq. ft. = $320; 1,001-2,000 sq. ft. = $420; 2,001+ sq. ft. = $520. Deduct $20 if filed online..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Chicopee, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Chicopee, MA, follow these steps: 1. Create a PermitEyes account (registration takes under 5 minutes) or log in if existing user. 2. Complete the online permit application form for the applicable permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, gas). 3. Scan and upload all required documentation as PDF (plot plan, drawings, workers' comp affidavit, license copies). Maximum file size 10 MB. 4. Submit application; Building Department routes it to relevant departments for sign-off (Health, DPW, Fire as applicable). 5. Track sign-off status online via PermitEyes account. Permit is not officially submitted until all required sign-offs are approved. 6. Pay fees online (MasterCard, Discover, e-check) or in person at 115 Baskin Drive. 7. Permit is issued; post at job site. 8. Schedule inspections by contacting the Building Department directly. 9. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Chicopee, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Chicopee, MA typically run Processing time varies; 30-day statutory maximum per Massachusetts law.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Chicopee, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Chicopee, MA. The following work is generally exempt: Detached 1-story accessory structures under 120 sq. ft.; Fences under 7 feet; Interior finish work (painting, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops, tiling); Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons; Retaining walls under 4 feet (from footing bottom to top). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Chicopee, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Chicopee, MA via: Building Department.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department, City of Chicopee ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/hampden/chicopee
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department, City of Chicopee before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.