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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Weymouth
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Weymouth.
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area 120 square feet or less
Fences 7 feet and under do not require a building permit
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 (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area 120 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences 7 feet and under do not require a building permit
- 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. Retaining walls, tree cutting, driveways, patios, and landscaping near wetland resource areas may require conservation review even when building permit not required. Contact Weymouth Conservation Office (781-340-5007) for wetland determinations.
Required documents
- Completed permit application form
- Plot plan prepared by Registered Land Surveyor (linen or Mylar original plus two prints)
- Construction drawings
- CSL and HIC license documentation
- 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.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for all contractor-pulled permits. HIC registration required for home improvement contractors.
Source: Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Varies by project type; applicants must appear in person during inspector hours for structural applications.
- 01 Contact the Building Department during inspector walk-in hours (7:30 AM--9:00 AM weekdays) for structural work; or visit/call during general office hours for non-structural projects.
- 02 Obtain appropriate permit application form from Applications and Fees page or in person at 75 Middle Street.
- 03 Complete application: project address, owner and contractor information, description of work, estimated construction cost.
- 04 Prepare required attachments:
- 05 - Plot plan: prepared by Registered Land Surveyor (linen or Mylar original plus two prints); show entire lot, adjacent street portion, accurate location/dimensions of all buildings, lot lines, zoning district boundary lines
- 06 - Construction drawings (scale drawings for new construction or significant alterations)
- 07 - CSL and HIC license documentation
- 08 - Workers' compensation affidavit
- 09 Submit application and pay fee. Inspector of Buildings reviews for code and zoning compliance.
- 10 Permit issued; post on site before commencing work.
- 11 Schedule inspections by calling Building Department between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays at 781-340-5004.
Typical processing time: Varies by project type; applicants must appear in person during inspector hours for structural applications.
Source: Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective July 1, 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50.00 (residential); $100.00 (commercial)
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Single-family residential: $10.00 per $1,000; all other (commercial, multi-family): $20.00 per $1,000 (rounded to nearest thousand)
04
Trade permit fee
Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately; download July 2024 fee schedule for rates
05
Reinspection fee
Applies for inaccessible premises, failed inspections, inadequate work
06
Penalty (no permit)
Double the applicable permit fee for work commenced without a permit
Payment accepted at in-person submission or by mail with application
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 781-340-5004 (between 7:30 AM--9:00 AM weekdays) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule during inspector walk-in hours (7:30--9:00 AM); inspectors leave for field work promptly at 9:00 AM
- Inspection hours
- General office: Monday--Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM; Inspector walk-in: 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
- Time windows
- Inspector walk-in window: 7:30 AM--9:00 AM Monday--Friday (structural applications must be submitted during this window)
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough gas (separate inspectors for each trade), insulation, final building, final trades.
Not specified; contact Building Department for remote inspection eligibility
Source: Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Weymouth permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Weymouth, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Weymouth.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Weymouth, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Weymouth, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00 (residential); $100.00 (commercial). Fees are calculated as: Single-family residential: $10.00 per $1,000; all other (commercial, multi-family): $20.00 per $1,000 (rounded to nearest thousand). Plan check fee: Included in permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Weymouth, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Weymouth, MA, follow these steps: 1. Contact the Building Department during inspector walk-in hours (7:30 AM--9:00 AM weekdays) for structural work; or visit/call during general office hours for non-structural projects. 2. Obtain appropriate permit application form from Applications and Fees page or in person at 75 Middle Street. 3. Complete application: project address, owner and contractor information, description of work, estimated construction cost. 4. Prepare required attachments: 5. - Plot plan: prepared by Registered Land Surveyor (linen or Mylar original plus two prints); show entire lot, adjacent street portion, accurate location/dimensions of all buildings, lot lines, zoning district boundary lines 6. - Construction drawings (scale drawings for new construction or significant alterations) 7. - CSL and HIC license documentation 8. - Workers' compensation affidavit 9. Submit application and pay fee. Inspector of Buildings reviews for code and zoning compliance. 10. Permit issued; post on site before commencing work. 11. Schedule inspections by calling Building Department between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays at 781-340-5004.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Weymouth, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Weymouth, MA typically run Varies by project type; applicants must appear in person during inspector hours for structural applications.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Weymouth, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Weymouth, 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 7 feet and under do not require a building permit; 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. Retaining walls, tree cutting, driveways, patios, and landscaping near wetland resource areas may require conservation review even when building permit not required. Contact Weymouth Conservation Office (781-340-5007) for wetland determinations. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Weymouth, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Weymouth, MA via: 781-340-5004 (between 7:30 AM--9:00 AM weekdays). Schedule during inspector walk-in hours (7:30--9:00 AM); inspectors leave for field work promptly at 9:00 AM.
last verified April 2026
source Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/norfolk/weymouth
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.