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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Quincy
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Quincy.
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) 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
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure
Shade cloth structures for nursery and agricultural purposes
Swings and other playground equipment attached to a single- or two-family dwelling
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
Non-fixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not exceeding 5 feet 9 inches in height
Plastic-film covered greenhouse structures
Routine maintenance and in-kind repairs to existing fire suppression/detection systems that do not affect system performance
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) 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 Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- 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 Shade cloth structures for nursery and agricultural purposes
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment attached to a single- or two-family dwelling
- Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
- Exempt Non-fixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not exceeding 5 feet 9 inches in height
- Exempt Plastic-film covered greenhouse structures
- Exempt Routine maintenance and in-kind repairs to existing fire suppression/detection systems that do not affect system performance
Note: Ordinary repairs not requiring trade permits do not require a building permit under 780 CMR. Confirm edge cases with Inspectional Services.
Required documents
- Completed permit application via ViewPoint Cloud
- Plot plan
- Construction drawings
- CSL (Construction Supervisor License) and HIC (Home Improvement Contractor) licenses or homeowner exemption affidavit
- Workers' compensation affidavit
- Zoning board or planning approvals (if required)
- Building code
- 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code), 9th and 10th Editions
- Permit validity
- Permit lapses if work does not commence within six months of issuance or if work is abandoned for six months.
- Owner-builder
- An owner of a one- or two-family dwelling used as primary residence may obtain a permit without a CSL but assumes full contractor liability and forfeits Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law protections.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for all non-owner-occupied work and for owner-occupied structures where work exceeds homeowner exemption scope. HIC registration required for residential remodeling.
Source: Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Varies by project type; applicants encouraged to attend Thursday permit help clinic (2:00--4:00 PM) for free guidance.
- 01 Create or log into ViewPoint Cloud account at quincyma.viewpointcloud.com.
- 02 Select permit category (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, or conservation).
- 03 Complete online application with job address, owner information, assessor's map/lot, zoning district, and detailed description of work with estimated cost.
- 04 Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL and HIC licenses (or homeowner exemption affidavit), and workers' compensation affidavit.
- 05 Submit application and pay fee online.
- 06 Application routes to plan examiner and building inspector for review; respond to any requests for additional information or revisions.
- 07 Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work.
- 08 Schedule inspections through portal or by calling department; applicants may attend free Thursday afternoon clinic for assistance.
Typical processing time: Varies by project type; applicants encouraged to attend Thursday permit help clinic (2:00--4:00 PM) for free guidance.
Source: Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective Current; confirm with (617) 376-1450 for most recent updates
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$20.00
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
First $1,000 of construction cost: $20.00; each additional $1,000 (or part thereof): $12.00
04
Trade permit fee
Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately; contact department for current rates
05
Reinspection fee
$50.00 per additional inspection for defective work, improper materials, incorrect address, or inaccessibility
06
Penalty (no permit)
Double the applicable permit fee for work commenced without a permit (effective from day 6 of unpermitted work)
Payment processed through ViewPoint Cloud online
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current; confirm with (617) 376-1450 for most recent updates) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- ViewPoint Cloud portal (online)
- (617) 376-1450 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- No specific deadline; schedule during office hours
- Inspection hours
- Monday--Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Time windows
- General office hours; permit help clinics every Thursday, 2:00 PM--4:00 PM (free, no appointment, first-come first-served)
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical (Inspector of Wires), rough plumbing and gas (separate inspectors), insulation, final building, final trades.
Not specified; contact department for remote inspection eligibility
Source: Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Quincy permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Quincy, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Quincy.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Quincy, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Quincy, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: First $1,000 of construction cost: $20.00; each additional $1,000 (or part thereof): $12.00. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Quincy, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Quincy, MA, follow these steps: 1. Create or log into ViewPoint Cloud account at quincyma.viewpointcloud.com. 2. Select permit category (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, or conservation). 3. Complete online application with job address, owner information, assessor's map/lot, zoning district, and detailed description of work with estimated cost. 4. Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL and HIC licenses (or homeowner exemption affidavit), and workers' compensation affidavit. 5. Submit application and pay fee online. 6. Application routes to plan examiner and building inspector for review; respond to any requests for additional information or revisions. 7. Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work. 8. Schedule inspections through portal or by calling department; applicants may attend free Thursday afternoon clinic for assistance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Quincy, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Quincy, MA typically run Varies by project type; applicants encouraged to attend Thursday permit help clinic (2:00--4:00 PM) for free guidance.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Quincy, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Quincy, MA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) 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; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure; Shade cloth structures for nursery and agricultural purposes; Swings and other playground equipment attached to a single- or two-family dwelling; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall; Non-fixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not exceeding 5 feet 9 inches in height; Plastic-film covered greenhouse structures; Routine maintenance and in-kind repairs to existing fire suppression/detection systems that do not affect system performance. Note: Ordinary repairs not requiring trade permits do not require a building permit under 780 CMR. Confirm edge cases with Inspectional Services. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Quincy, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Quincy, MA via: ViewPoint Cloud portal, (617) 376-1450. No specific deadline; schedule during office hours.
last verified April 2026
source Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/norfolk/quincy
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.