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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Springfield
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Springfield. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit posted visibly at the job site.
Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
Interior finish work (painting, wallpaper, tiling, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops)
Detached storage sheds and playhouses under 120 sq. ft.
Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall
Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not greater than 5,000 gallons
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 5,000 gallons
Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches from wall
Non-structural repairs not affecting egress, structural members, or fire ratings
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Exempt Interior finish work (painting, wallpaper, tiling, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops)
- Exempt Detached storage sheds and playhouses under 120 sq. ft.
- Exempt Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not greater than 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches from wall
- Exempt Non-structural repairs not affecting egress, structural members, or fire ratings
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Springfield is divided into Green Zone and Yellow Zone for inspector assignments. Confirm zone assignment when scheduling inspections.
Required documents
- Completed permit application form
- 3 sets of construction drawings (to scale) for new construction; 2 sets for additions
- 3 plot plans (to scale) for new construction; 2 for additions
- Project cost estimate
- Workers' Compensation Insurance affidavit
- Proof of licensed contractor (CSL and HIC numbers on application)
- Architect or engineer stamp and signature required if building/addition exceeds 35,000 cubic feet
- Historical Commission approval if in historic district
- Zoning sign-off if applicable
- Homeowner affidavit for owner-occupant projects
- 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 without a CSL and act as their own general contractor. 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 the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR). Both licenses required for residential work over $1,000.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 30 days (statutory maximum per Massachusetts law). Actual time varies based on workload and project scope.
- 01 Determine zoning compliance and coordinate with Office of Planning and Economic Development if required.
- 02 Gather all required documents including completed application, construction drawings (3 sets for new construction), and plot plans (3 sets for new construction).
- 03 Submit application online via OpenGov portal or in person at 70 Tapley Street.
- 04 Department performs plan review for code and zoning compliance.
- 05 Pay permit fees by check or money order made payable to 'The City of Springfield'.
- 06 Permit is issued; post permit visibly at job site.
- 07 Schedule required inspections by calling the appropriate inspector line.
- 08 Obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Use after final inspection.
Typical processing time: 30 days (statutory maximum per Massachusetts law). Actual time varies based on workload and project scope.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 2012 (verify current rates with department)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$250 (residential new construction)
02
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction: $8.00 per $1,000 of construction value, minimum $250. Additions/accessory: $10.00 per $1,000, minimum $150. Alterations/repairs: $0.30 per sq. ft., minimum $80.
03
Reinspection fee
$80
04
Penalty (no permit)
Double the permit fee for building without a permit
Check or money order payable to 'The City of Springfield'. No cash accepted. Payment required before permit issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 2012 (verify current rates with department)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building inspections: (413) 787-6031 (ask for Yarelis) (phone)
- Electrical inspections: (413) 787-6040 (ask for Darlene) (phone)
- Plumbing inspections: (413) 787-6047 (ask for Michelle) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Standard residential: foundation/footing, rough framing, rough plumbing/electrical/gas, insulation, final building inspection, final trade sign-offs.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Springfield permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Springfield, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Springfield. No construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition may commence without a permit posted visibly at the job site.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Springfield, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Springfield, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $250 (residential new construction). Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction: $8.00 per $1,000 of construction value, minimum $250. Additions/accessory: $10.00 per $1,000, minimum $150. Alterations/repairs: $0.30 per sq. ft., minimum $80..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Springfield, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Springfield, MA, follow these steps: 1. Determine zoning compliance and coordinate with Office of Planning and Economic Development if required. 2. Gather all required documents including completed application, construction drawings (3 sets for new construction), and plot plans (3 sets for new construction). 3. Submit application online via OpenGov portal or in person at 70 Tapley Street. 4. Department performs plan review for code and zoning compliance. 5. Pay permit fees by check or money order made payable to 'The City of Springfield'. 6. Permit is issued; post permit visibly at job site. 7. Schedule required inspections by calling the appropriate inspector line. 8. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Use after final inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Springfield, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Springfield, MA typically run 30 days (statutory maximum per Massachusetts law). Actual time varies based 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 Springfield, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Springfield, MA. The following work is generally exempt: Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Interior finish work (painting, wallpaper, tiling, carpeting, cabinetry, countertops); Detached storage sheds and playhouses under 120 sq. ft.; Above-ground pools under 24 inches deep / under 5,000 gallons; Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall; Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not greater than 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 5,000 gallons; Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches from wall; Non-structural repairs not affecting egress, structural members, or fire ratings. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Springfield is divided into Green Zone and Yellow Zone for inspector assignments. Confirm zone assignment when scheduling inspections. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Springfield, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Springfield, MA via: Building inspections: (413) 787-6031 (ask for Yarelis), Electrical inspections: (413) 787-6040 (ask for Darlene), Plumbing inspections: (413) 787-6047 (ask for Michelle).
last verified April 2026
source Department of Code Enforcement, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/hampden/springfield
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Code Enforcement, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.