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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Granby
A building permit is required for all construction, alteration, and renovation within the Town of Granby.
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not greater than 120 sq. ft. (NOTE: Granby published list states sheds 200 sq. ft. or more require a permit -- see caveat below)
Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
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 and height-to-diameter ratio not greater than 2:1
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 (supported by exterior wall) projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes
Greenhouses with plastic film coverings
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
Playground equipment on detached 1- and 2-family residential parcels
Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not greater than 120 sq. ft. (NOTE: Granby published list states sheds 200 sq. ft. or more require a permit -- see caveat below)
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- 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 and height-to-diameter ratio not greater than 2:1
- 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 (supported by exterior wall) projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes
- Exempt Greenhouses with plastic film coverings
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
- Exempt Playground equipment on detached 1- and 2-family residential parcels
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets and scenery
Note: GRANBY LOCAL RESTRICTION ON SHEDS: Granby's published list of permit-required items explicitly includes 'sheds 200 sq. ft. or more' -- more restrictive than the statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemption (which exempts sheds 120 sq. ft. or less). This creates ambiguity for sheds between 120-200 sq. ft. -- clarify with Building Department before construction. Granby's full permit-required list includes: any new residential/commercial building, additions/renovations, garages/carports/barns, roofs/siding/windows/exterior doors, decks/stairs/egresses, sheds 200 sq. ft. or more, pools, and solar. Trade permits are never exempt.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Workers' Compensation Insurance Affidavit (for contractor applicants)
- Homeowner Exemption Form (if applicable)
- Plot plan / site plan
- Construction drawings (for new construction and larger alterations)
- CSL/HIC license numbers
- Building code
- Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) -- 10th Edition (2021 IBC/IRC base) effective July 1, 2025
- Permit validity
- Permit lapses if work does not commence within 6 months of permit issuance or if work is suspended for 6 months.
- Owner-builder
- The owner of a detached 1- or 2-family dwelling who resides or intends to reside in the home may pull the building permit themselves without a CSL and act as their own general contractor. The homeowner assumes full liability for code compliance.
- Contractor requirements
- Construction Supervisor License (CSL) required for structural work on structures over 35,000 cubic feet. Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) required for residential renovation projects over $1,000 on 1-4 family homes.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 30 calendar days from receipt of complete application (planning ahead recommended due to part-time schedule)
- 01 Contact the Building Department (413-467-7179 or buildinginspector@granby-ma.gov) to confirm the current submission method and any project-specific requirements.
- 02 Complete the building permit application (downloadable from the town website).
- 03 Attach required documents and applicable fee.
- 04 Submit during office hours (Tuesday/Thursday, 4-6 p.m.) or by mail to Town Hall, 10-B West State Street, Granby, MA 01033.
- 05 Await approval (30-day review period per 780 CMR).
- 06 Post issued permit at job site before commencing work.
- 07 Schedule inspections by appointment (413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179).
- 08 Final inspection required; Certificate of Occupancy issued upon completion.
Typical processing time: 30 calendar days from receipt of complete application (planning ahead recommended due to part-time schedule)
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024 (building permit fees 2024.xlsx)
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
New construction (residential and commercial): fee based on construction market value. Additions/renovations/decks: fee based on construction market value. Communication towers: flat fee. Temporary structures: flat fee. See published 2024 fee schedule.
02
Reinspection fee
Specified in published schedule
03
Penalty (no permit)
Double the normal permit fee if work is commenced before permit issuance
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024 (building permit fees 2024.xlsx)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 4:00 p.m. -- 6:00 p.m. (note: confirm current hours as of April 2023). Inspections: by appointment only
Typical sequence: All inspections are by appointment only. Standard required inspection stages: 1) Foundation inspection (before backfill), 2) Framing inspection (before sheathing/insulation), 3) Electrical rough-in (by appointment), 4) Plumbing/gas rough-in (by appointment), 5) Insulation inspection (before drywall), 6) Final inspection (all work complete), 7) Certificate of Occupancy. Given part-time nature, inspection scheduling lead times may be significantly longer than larger municipalities.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Granby permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Granby, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction, alteration, and renovation within the Town of Granby.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Granby, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Granby, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: New construction (residential and commercial): fee based on construction market value. Additions/renovations/decks: fee based on construction market value. Communication towers: flat fee. Temporary structures: flat fee. See published 2024 fee schedule..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Granby, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Granby, MA, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Building Department (413-467-7179 or buildinginspector@granby-ma.gov) to confirm the current submission method and any project-specific requirements. 2. Complete the building permit application (downloadable from the town website). 3. Attach required documents and applicable fee. 4. Submit during office hours (Tuesday/Thursday, 4-6 p.m.) or by mail to Town Hall, 10-B West State Street, Granby, MA 01033. 5. Await approval (30-day review period per 780 CMR). 6. Post issued permit at job site before commencing work. 7. Schedule inspections by appointment (413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179). 8. Final inspection required; Certificate of Occupancy issued upon completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Granby, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Granby, MA typically run 30 calendar days from receipt of complete application (planning ahead recommended due to part-time schedule). Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Granby, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Granby, MA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not greater than 120 sq. ft. (NOTE: Granby published list states sheds 200 sq. ft. or more require a permit -- see caveat below); Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; 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 and height-to-diameter ratio not greater than 2:1; 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 (supported by exterior wall) projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes; Greenhouses with plastic film coverings; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height; Playground equipment on detached 1- and 2-family residential parcels; Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets and scenery. Note: GRANBY LOCAL RESTRICTION ON SHEDS: Granby's published list of permit-required items explicitly includes 'sheds 200 sq. ft. or more' -- more restrictive than the statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemption (which exempts sheds 120 sq. ft. or less). This creates ambiguity for sheds between 120-200 sq. ft. -- clarify with Building Department before construction. Granby's full permit-required list includes: any new residential/commercial building, additions/renovations, garages/carports/barns, roofs/siding/windows/exterior doors, decks/stairs/egresses, sheds 200 sq. ft. or more, pools, and solar. Trade permits are never exempt. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Granby, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Granby, MA via: 413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/hampshire/granby
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.