City Building Permits

Town of Dennis, MA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Dennis, Massachusetts. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Massachusetts Barnstable County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Dennis.

Department
Building Department
Address
685 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660
Phone
508-760-6157
Website
https://www.town.dennis.ma.us/171/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Open OpenGov PLC

Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Register or log in to the OpenGov portal at https://dennisma.portal.opengov.com/
  2. Select permit type: 1/2-family residential, commercial, express, or trade permits.
  3. Attach required documents: Construction Checklist, Plot Plan, Workers' Compensation Form, Owner's Authorization (if applicable), Homeowner's Exemption Affidavit (if applicable), Stormwater Permit Notes.
  4. For commercial structures over 35,000 cu. ft., provide Initial and Final Construction Control Documents (10th Edition).
  5. For properties north of Route 6, obtain Old King's Highway District Committee approval before submitting.
  6. For flood zones or wetland-adjacent properties, obtain Conservation Commission approval.
  7. Upload documents and pay fees through the portal.
  8. Interior inspections require an adult (18+) present on-site; exterior inspections do not.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; 10th Edition of 780 CMR applies to applications received on or after January 1, 2025

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Dennis.

Required Documents

  • Completed building permit application
  • Construction Checklist for Single and Two Family Dwellings
  • Plot Plan
  • Workers' Compensation Form
  • Owner's Authorization Form (if applicable)
  • Homeowner's Exemption Affidavit (if owner-acting-as-contractor)
  • Stormwater Permit Notes
  • Initial and Final Construction Control Documents (for structures over 35,000 cu. ft.)
Permit validity
Work must commence within 6 months of issuance. Permits expire if work is abandoned for 6 months.
Building code
Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR, 10th Edition (effective October 11, 2024; sole applicable code as of July 1, 2025)
Owner-builder
Homeowner Exemption available for owner-occupants of 1-2 family primary residences.
Contractor requirements
CSL required for structural work and structures over 35,000 cu. ft.; HIC required for residential remodeling.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Contact Building Department for current rate
Permit fee formula
Estimated $8-$12 per $1,000 of construction value based on regional comparisons (confirm with department)
Payment note
Online payment through OpenGov portal accepted

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY2025 (document not machine-readable during research)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area 120 sq. ft. or less
  • Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
  • Water tanks on grade, 5,000 gallons or less, height-to-diameter ratio 2:1 or less
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Prefabricated swimming pools (1-2 family, less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, above ground)
  • Swings and playground equipment (1-2 family dwellings)
  • Window awnings (residential/utility, not more than 54 inches projection)
  • Other statewide exemptions per 780 CMR 105.2

Important: If work does not commence within 180 days of issuance, permit may expire. Contact 508-760-6157 for guidance on borderline projects.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Contact department for inspection scheduling
Inspection hours
Building inspections: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: As-built survey required prior to Certificate of Occupancy for all new buildings.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Department before applying.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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