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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Walpole
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Walpole.
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. Walpole does not publish local additions to exempt work list. For questions, call Patrick Deschenes, Building Inspector, at (508) 660-7352.
Required documents
- Completed OpenGov application
- Plans (construction drawings)
- CSL/HIC license documentation
- Workers' compensation insurance certificate
- Other documents as required for specific project type
- 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.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for contractor-pulled permits; HIC registration required for home improvement contractors. Workers' compensation insurance certificate and license information required electronically at time of application.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Express permits: same day; full building permits: varies by complexity
- 01 Access portal at walpolema.portal.opengov.com (or via walpole-ma.gov/building-inspector/pages/building-permits-applicationsforms).
- 02 Create account or proceed as guest for applicable permit types.
- 03 Select permit type: building, electrical, plumbing, gas, or express permit.
- 04 Complete online application: property address, project description, estimated construction cost, contractor and license information.
- 05 Upload all required documents electronically: plans, CSL/HIC license documentation, workers' compensation insurance certificate, and other required attachments.
- 06 Submit application. Express permits (for eligible minor projects) may issue same day; full building permits reviewed by Building Inspector.
- 07 Pay fees and receive permit electronically.
- 08 Post permit on site before beginning work.
- 09 Schedule inspections by contacting appropriate inspector during their inspection window hours.
Typical processing time: Express permits: same day; full building permits: varies by complexity
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective May 28, 2019 (most recent publicly posted; confirm if updated)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
See current fee schedule
02
Plan check fee
See current fee schedule
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit, electrical, plumbing, and gas fees each assessed separately per town schedules; specific per-$1,000 rates from 2019 schedule not extractable in plain text
04
Trade permit fee
Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately; see current schedule
05
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 May 28, 2019 (most recent publicly posted; confirm if updated)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- OpenGov portal (online)
- Contact building department during inspector hours (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule during inspector inspection windows or regular office hours
- Inspection hours
- Building Department: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM--4:00 PM; Tuesday 8:00 AM--5:00 PM and 6:00 PM--8:00 PM (evening hours); Friday 8:00 AM--12:00 PM. Electrical inspections: 7:00 AM--9:00 AM Mon--Fri. Plumbing/Gas inspections: 8:00 AM--10:00 AM Mon--Fri.
- Time windows
- Electrical: 7:00 AM--9:00 AM Mon--Fri. Plumbing/Gas: 8:00 AM--10:00 AM Mon--Fri. Building: during general office hours.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough gas, insulation, final building, final electrical, final plumbing, final gas.
Not specified; contact Building Department for remote inspection eligibility
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Walpole permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Walpole, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Walpole.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Walpole, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Walpole, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is See current fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Building permit, electrical, plumbing, and gas fees each assessed separately per town schedules; specific per-$1,000 rates from 2019 schedule not extractable in plain text. Plan check fee: See current fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Walpole, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Walpole, MA, follow these steps: 1. Access portal at walpolema.portal.opengov.com (or via walpole-ma.gov/building-inspector/pages/building-permits-applicationsforms). 2. Create account or proceed as guest for applicable permit types. 3. Select permit type: building, electrical, plumbing, gas, or express permit. 4. Complete online application: property address, project description, estimated construction cost, contractor and license information. 5. Upload all required documents electronically: plans, CSL/HIC license documentation, workers' compensation insurance certificate, and other required attachments. 6. Submit application. Express permits (for eligible minor projects) may issue same day; full building permits reviewed by Building Inspector. 7. Pay fees and receive permit electronically. 8. Post permit on site before beginning work. 9. Schedule inspections by contacting appropriate inspector during their inspection window hours.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Walpole, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Walpole, MA typically run Express permits: same day; full building permits: varies by complexity. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Walpole, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Walpole, 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. Walpole does not publish local additions to exempt work list. For questions, call Patrick Deschenes, Building Inspector, at (508) 660-7352. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Walpole, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Walpole, MA via: OpenGov portal, Contact building department during inspector hours. Schedule during inspector inspection windows or regular office hours.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department -- Inspectional Services ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/norfolk/walpole
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department -- Inspectional Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.