Town of North Attleborough, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of North Attleborough. North Attleborough is in the northern corner of Bristol County, bordering Providence County, RI.

Department

Building Department

Address

43 South Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760

Phone

508-699-0100, ext. 2527

Website

https://www.nattleboro.com/192/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Register for an account on the Viewpoint Cloud portal (https://northattleboroughma.portal.opengov.com/).
2. Complete the online application and attach required documents.
3. Required documents include: workers' compensation affidavit, property owner authorization form (if applicant is not the owner), copy of professional license (CSL/HIC/trade license as applicable), construction plans and specifications, liability insurance certificate.
4. Submit and pay online.
5. For walk-in submissions: bring hardcopy application plus $25 administration fee (check or money order only); subject to additional processing wait period.
6. Building Department reviews application (must act within 30 days per 780 CMR 105.3.1).
7. Post permit at job site upon approval.
8. Schedule inspections through the online portal or by calling 508-699-0100 ext. 2527.
9. Complete all required inspection phases.
10. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy.

Typical processing time: 30 days standard review per 780 CMR 105.3.1 (walk-in submissions subject to additional processing delays)

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

Any construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, change of use or occupancy, or installation of regulated equipment requires a permit before work begins (780 CMR 105.1).

Required Documents

• Completed online application
• Workers' compensation affidavit
• Property owner authorization form (if not the applicant)
• Copy of professional license (CSL/HIC/trade license)
• Construction plans and specifications
• Liability insurance certificate

Permit validity

Work must commence within 6 months (180 days) of issuance. Abandonment or suspension exceeding 180 days voids the permit. Extensions are available in writing.

Building code

Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (9th Edition, effective January 1, 2018; 10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)

Owner-builder

Owner-occupants of 1-2 family primary residences may obtain permits.

Contractor requirements

CSL required for structures over 35,000 cubic feet. HIC required for residential work below the CSL threshold.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Varies by category

Permit fee formula

Detailed in separate PDF fee schedules for each category

Trade permit fee

Varies by trade

Penalty (no permit)

Not published

Payment note

Walk-in administration surcharge: $25 per application (check or money order only). Online submission is strongly encouraged.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Not published in machine-readable format).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 sq ft (but North Attleborough's local threshold is stricter: structures exceeding 25 sq ft require a permit)
• Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
• Oil derricks
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height
• Water tanks supported directly on grade
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
• Temporary stage sets and scenery
• Prefabricated swimming pools (Group R-3)
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes
• Swings and playground equipment
• Window awnings in Group R-3 and Group U occupancies
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions
• Greenhouses covered exclusively with plastic film
• Routine maintenance and repairs to fire protection systems

Important: IMPORTANT: North Attleborough's local threshold is STRICTER than statewide. Any accessory structure exceeding 25 sq ft of floor area requires a permit (versus the statewide 120 sq ft threshold). The permits-required list also includes: re-siding, re-roofing, replacement windows/doors, swimming pools (above/in-ground), hot tubs, decks, docks, solar panels, electrical systems, plumbing/gas, mechanical/HVAC, fireplaces/wood stoves, fire protection/sprinkler systems, insulation work, commercial tenant certificates, trenches, sheet metal work, temporary trailers, business name changes, tents larger than 10x10 feet, and signs of all types.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Viewpoint Cloud/OpenGov portal (online)
• 508-699-0100, ext. 2527 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

As required by department

Inspection hours

Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Friday 8:00 AM - noon

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/footing (before pouring), Framing (before insulation or covering), Rough trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, gas -- separate inspectors), Insulation, Final building inspection, Final trade inspections, Certificate of Occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (9th Edition, effective January 1, 2018; 10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)
• Verify contractor license: Massachusetts Licensing Boards Inquiry System
• Permits Required
• Forms & Applications
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Bristol County