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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Dedham
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Dedham.
One-story detached accessory structures with floor area 120 square feet or less
Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing), unless retaining surcharge or impounding liquid
Water tanks supported directly on grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, with a height-to-diameter ratio of 2:1 or less
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures with floor area 120 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing), unless retaining surcharge or impounding liquid
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, with a height-to-diameter ratio of 2:1 or less
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure
- Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
Note: Statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions apply. Contact Building Commissioner Kenneth Cimeno at (781) 751-9182 with questions about specific project exemptions.
Required documents
- Completed OpenGov application
- Plot plan showing lot dimensions, setbacks, existing structures, and zoning compliance
- Construction drawings
- CSL/HIC license documentation (or homeowner exemption)
- Workers' compensation affidavit
- Building code
- 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code)
- Permit validity
- Permit lapses if work does not commence within six months of issuance or if work is abandoned for six months.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner exemption available for primary one- or two-family residence. CSL required for contractor-pulled permits.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for contractor-pulled permits; HIC registration required for home improvement contractors. Double permit fee penalty if work started without permit.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Varies by project complexity; contact Building Department for estimate.
- 01 Access OpenGov portal at dedhamma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1071.
- 02 Select permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, etc.).
- 03 Complete online application: property address, project description, estimated construction value, contractor and license information.
- 04 Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL/HIC license documentation, workers' compensation affidavit.
- 05 Pay fees online through portal.
- 06 Building Department reviews application for zoning compliance and code requirements.
- 07 Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work.
- 08 Schedule inspections by contacting Building Department during office hours; inspectors also available alternating Wednesday evenings.
Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; contact Building Department for estimate.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective February 1, 2023 (fee increase effective date)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Varies by project type (confirm with department)
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Assessed per $1,000 of construction cost (current rate not published in plain text; confirm via portal or department)
04
Trade permit fee
Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately
05
Reinspection fee
Applies for inaccessible premises, failed inspections, or inadequate work
06
Penalty (no permit)
Double the applicable permit fee for work commenced without a permit
Payment processed through OpenGov portal online
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective February 1, 2023 (fee increase effective date)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (781) 751-9180 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule during office hours
- Inspection hours
- Monday--Thursday until 4:00 PM; Wednesday until 7:00 PM (year-round); Friday until 1:00 PM. Inspectors available alternating Wednesday evenings (confirm specific hours).
- Time windows
- General office hours; inspectors available alternating Wednesday evenings
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough gas (each trade inspector separately), insulation, final building, final electrical, final plumbing, final gas.
Not specified; contact Building Department for remote inspection eligibility
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Dedham permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Dedham, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Dedham.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Dedham, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Dedham, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by project type (confirm with department). Fees are calculated as: Assessed per $1,000 of construction cost (current rate not published in plain text; confirm via portal or department). Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Dedham, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Dedham, MA, follow these steps: 1. Access OpenGov portal at dedhamma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1071. 2. Select permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, etc.). 3. Complete online application: property address, project description, estimated construction value, contractor and license information. 4. Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL/HIC license documentation, workers' compensation affidavit. 5. Pay fees online through portal. 6. Building Department reviews application for zoning compliance and code requirements. 7. Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work. 8. Schedule inspections by contacting Building Department during office hours; inspectors also available alternating Wednesday evenings.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Dedham, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Dedham, MA typically run Varies by project complexity; contact Building Department for estimate.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Dedham, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Dedham, MA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area 120 square feet or less; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing), unless retaining surcharge or impounding liquid; Water tanks supported directly on grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, with a height-to-diameter ratio of 2:1 or less; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall. Note: Statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions apply. Contact Building Commissioner Kenneth Cimeno at (781) 751-9182 with questions about specific project exemptions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Dedham, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Dedham, MA via: (781) 751-9180. Schedule during office hours.
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.