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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Holyoke
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Holyoke. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit.
Fences to 7 feet
Sheds under 120 sq. ft.
Interior finish work
Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
Retaining walls under 4 feet
Driveways and sidewalks under 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Fences to 7 feet
- Exempt Sheds under 120 sq. ft.
- Exempt Interior finish work
- Exempt Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
- Exempt Driveways and sidewalks under 30 inches above grade
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Note: City Hall is closed to walk-in traffic on Wednesdays; appointments only on Wednesdays.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- All plans and specifications as one PDF (for online/email) plus separate workers' compensation affidavit
- Workers' Compensation Insurance affidavit
- CSL and HIC license copies for all contractors
- Plot plan/site plan (required for new construction and additions)
- Separate trade permit applications for electrical, plumbing, and gas
- Fire Department plan review fee ($0.05/sq. ft., paid to Fire Department)
- 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: 3 days to 30 days depending on workload and project scope.
- 01 Download application from holyoke.org/building-forms-and-fees/ or access CitySquared portal.
- 02 Prepare all supporting documents (plans, specifications) as a single PDF.
- 03 Submit: online via CitySquared, in person at City Hall Annex Room 300, or by email to buildcon@holyoke.org.
- 04 Include check or cash for permit fees per the fee schedule.
- 05 Building Department performs plan review. Processing time ranges from 3 days to 30-day statutory maximum depending on workload and project scope.
- 06 Permit issued; post at job site.
- 07 Schedule inspections via phone during inspector office hours: 8:30 -- 9:30 a.m. or 1:00 -- 2:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (not Wednesdays).
- 08 Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy.
Typical processing time: 3 days to 30 days depending on workload and project scope.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective Current as of publication
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 (residential new construction)
02
Plan check fee
$50 (commercial projects)
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction: $0.45 per sq. ft., minimum $100. Alterations and repairs: $75.00 plus $0.20 per sq. ft. Replacement windows/doors: $50 plus $5 per additional unit. Roofing, shed, fence, deck, retaining wall, stove, solar, siding: $50 flat.
04
Reinspection fee
$40 minimum
05
Penalty (no permit)
Double the permit fee for building without a permit
Check or cash. Fire Department plan review fee ($0.05/sq. ft.) paid separately to Fire Department. Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current as of publication) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (413) 322-5600 (phone)
- buildcon@holyoke.org (email)
- Inspection hours
- Inspector office hours: 8:30 -- 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 -- 2:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (not Wednesdays or weekends). City Hall Annex closed to walk-in traffic on Wednesdays; appointments only.
Typical sequence: Required inspection stages: foundation/footing, rough framing, rough trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, gas), insulation, final building inspection, final trade sign-offs. Buildings must be accessible when inspections are requested.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Holyoke permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Holyoke, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Holyoke. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Holyoke, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Holyoke, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 (residential new construction). Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction: $0.45 per sq. ft., minimum $100. Alterations and repairs: $75.00 plus $0.20 per sq. ft. Replacement windows/doors: $50 plus $5 per additional unit. Roofing, shed, fence, deck, retaining wall, stove, solar, siding: $50 flat.. Plan check fee: $50 (commercial projects).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Holyoke, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Holyoke, MA, follow these steps: 1. Download application from holyoke.org/building-forms-and-fees/ or access CitySquared portal. 2. Prepare all supporting documents (plans, specifications) as a single PDF. 3. Submit: online via CitySquared, in person at City Hall Annex Room 300, or by email to buildcon@holyoke.org. 4. Include check or cash for permit fees per the fee schedule. 5. Building Department performs plan review. Processing time ranges from 3 days to 30-day statutory maximum depending on workload and project scope. 6. Permit issued; post at job site. 7. Schedule inspections via phone during inspector office hours: 8:30 -- 9:30 a.m. or 1:00 -- 2:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (not Wednesdays). 8. Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Holyoke, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Holyoke, MA typically run 3 days to 30 days depending on workload and project scope.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Holyoke, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Holyoke, MA. The following work is generally exempt: Fences to 7 feet; Sheds under 120 sq. ft.; Interior finish work; Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons; Retaining walls under 4 feet; Driveways and sidewalks under 30 inches above grade. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Note: City Hall is closed to walk-in traffic on Wednesdays; appointments only on Wednesdays. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Holyoke, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Holyoke, MA via: (413) 322-5600, buildcon@holyoke.org.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department, City of Holyoke ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/hampden/holyoke
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department, City of Holyoke before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.