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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Rockland
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Rockland.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet
Fences not over seven feet in height
Oil derricks
Retaining walls not over four feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work (interior or exterior surface finishes)
Temporary theatrical sets and scenery
Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep and contain less than 5,000 gallons (above-ground, residential)
Agricultural nursery shade structures (shade cloth only, not service systems)
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to single-family or two-family dwellings
Window awnings on residential dwellings projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
Plastic film greenhouses used for standard agricultural or nursery purposes
Repair or replacement of fire protection system components that do not affect system performance or design
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over seven feet in height
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls not over four feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work (interior or exterior surface finishes)
- Exempt Temporary theatrical sets and scenery
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep and contain less than 5,000 gallons (above-ground, residential)
- Exempt Agricultural nursery shade structures (shade cloth only, not service systems)
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to single-family or two-family dwellings
- Exempt Window awnings on residential dwellings projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
- Exempt Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
- Exempt Plastic film greenhouses used for standard agricultural or nursery purposes
- Exempt Repair or replacement of fire protection system components that do not affect system performance or design
Note: Standard 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions apply in Rockland. For projects subject to site plan review or ZBA approval, those processes are separate from and cumulative to building permit exemptions.
Required documents
- Construction documents (plans)
- Plot plan
- Approvals from Historic Commission, Conservation Commission, and/or Board of Appeals (if applicable)
- Workers' Compensation form
- Contractor's CSL and HIC copies
- Insurance certificate
- Available forms: Building Inspection Schedule, Homeowner Exemption Eligibility Affidavit, Pool Package (for swimming pools), Workers' Compensation Form
- Building code
- Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)
- Permit validity
- Per 780 CMR 107.5, permits expire if construction has not commenced within 6 months of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 12 months. Renewal fees typically run 25-50% of the original permit fee.
- Owner-builder
- Owners of 1-2 family dwellings may pull their own permits and supervise work on their primary residence without holding a CSL, but they assume full contractor liability and waive rights to the HIC Guaranty Fund.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for structural work. HIC required for improvements to existing residential structures. Permits must be printed and kept on-site throughout the construction project.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 2-3 weeks after complete submission.
- 01 Gather required documents: construction documents (plans), plot plan, approvals from Historic Commission, Conservation Commission, and/or Board of Appeals if applicable, Workers' Compensation form, contractor's CSL and HIC copies, insurance certificate.
- 02 In PermitEyes, complete all mandatory fields (marked with red asterisk) or save a draft.
- 03 Attach required documents through the Transactions Monitor panel (eye icon).
- 04 Submit application; status shows 'pending' for successful submission or 'partially submitted' if incomplete.
- 05 Track departmental sign-off progress through the portal.
- 06 Receive email invoice when fee is computed.
- 07 Pay via credit/debit card or EFT check through the portal.
- 08 Print the issued permit. Applicants are required to print permits and keep them on-site during the project.
- 09 Schedule and pass required inspections through PermitEyes.
Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks after complete submission.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025 (most recent; see documents on Permits-Fees page)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Varies by project type; see fee schedule PDFs
02
Plan check fee
Included in building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Available fee schedule documents: Residential Building Fees, Commercial Building Fees, Plumbing and Gas Fees, Electrical Fees (updated 2025). Download PDFs from https://www.rockland-ma.gov/160/Permits-Fees for specific rate tiers.
04
Trade permit fee
Separate fee schedules for plumbing/gas and electrical; download PDFs for current rates.
05
Reinspection fee
Amount varies; confirm with department at (781) 871-1874 ext. 1191
06
Penalty (no permit)
2x the permit fee for work started without permit; additional penalties possible for egregious violations
PermitEyes accepts payment via credit/debit card or EFT check through the portal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025 (most recent; see documents on Permits-Fees page)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- PermitEyes portal (online)
- (781) 871-1874 ext. 1191 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- No inspections conducted on Fridays. Contact Building Department during business hours to schedule.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM (noon) and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM; Extended hours: First and third Tuesday of each month until 8:00 PM; No Friday inspections; Summer hours may apply
- Time windows
- Inspection scheduling available during posted hours
Typical sequence: Standard inspection sequence: footing; foundation; rough frame; insulation; final building; final electrical; final plumbing/gas. Certificate of Occupancy requires submission of as-built plans stamped by a registered land surveyor and professional engineer for projects subject to site plan review.
All Fire Alarm and Sprinkler Permits require a separate permit from the Rockland Fire Department in addition to the building permit.
Source: Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Rockland permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Rockland, MA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Rockland.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Rockland, MA? ▸
Building permit fees in Rockland, MA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by project type; see fee schedule PDFs. Fees are calculated as: Available fee schedule documents: Residential Building Fees, Commercial Building Fees, Plumbing and Gas Fees, Electrical Fees (updated 2025). Download PDFs from https://www.rockland-ma.gov/160/Permits-Fees for specific rate tiers.. Plan check fee: Included in building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Rockland, MA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Rockland, MA, follow these steps: 1. Gather required documents: construction documents (plans), plot plan, approvals from Historic Commission, Conservation Commission, and/or Board of Appeals if applicable, Workers' Compensation form, contractor's CSL and HIC copies, insurance certificate. 2. In PermitEyes, complete all mandatory fields (marked with red asterisk) or save a draft. 3. Attach required documents through the Transactions Monitor panel (eye icon). 4. Submit application; status shows 'pending' for successful submission or 'partially submitted' if incomplete. 5. Track departmental sign-off progress through the portal. 6. Receive email invoice when fee is computed. 7. Pay via credit/debit card or EFT check through the portal. 8. Print the issued permit. Applicants are required to print permits and keep them on-site during the project. 9. Schedule and pass required inspections through PermitEyes.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Rockland, MA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Rockland, MA typically run 2-3 weeks after complete submission.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Rockland, MA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Rockland, MA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; Fences not over seven feet in height; Oil derricks; Retaining walls not over four feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work (interior or exterior surface finishes); Temporary theatrical sets and scenery; Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep and contain less than 5,000 gallons (above-ground, residential); Agricultural nursery shade structures (shade cloth only, not service systems); Swings and other playground equipment accessory to single-family or two-family dwellings; Window awnings on residential dwellings projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall; Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height; Plastic film greenhouses used for standard agricultural or nursery purposes; Repair or replacement of fire protection system components that do not affect system performance or design. Note: Standard 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions apply in Rockland. For projects subject to site plan review or ZBA approval, those processes are separate from and cumulative to building permit exemptions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Rockland, MA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Rockland, MA via: PermitEyes portal, (781) 871-1874 ext. 1191. No inspections conducted on Fridays. Contact Building Department during business hours to schedule..
last verified April 2026
source Building Department ↗
entry id permits/massachusetts/plymouth/rockland
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.