City Building Permits
Taunton, MA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Taunton, Massachusetts. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Taunton. Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County.
- Department
- Building Department
- Address
- 141 Oak Street, Taunton, MA 02780
- Phone
- 508-821-1015
Online Permit Portal
Platform: PermitEyes • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Register on PermitEyes (https://permiteyes.us/taunton/loginuser.php) and link your professional license.
- Upload required documents: completed workers' compensation affidavit, proof of liability insurance (workers' comp certificate if applicable), and copy of professional license.
- Submit permit application online for all building trades, or bring completed paper application to 141 Oak Street with payment by check or money order.
- The Building Department reviews applications (standard review target: 30 days per 780 CMR 105.3.1).
- Upon approval, post permit at job site.
- Schedule inspections by calling 508-821-1015 (speak with an inspector during availability windows).
- Complete all required inspection phases.
- Obtain Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Inspection as applicable.
Typical processing time: 30 days standard review per 780 CMR 105.3.1
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 permit application
- Workers' compensation affidavit
- Proof of liability insurance
- Copy of professional license
- Construction plans/specifications
- Support documents per permit type
- 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 building permits.
- Contractor requirements
- CSL required for structures over 35,000 cubic feet. HIC required for residential work below the CSL threshold. Licensed electricians required for electrical work (filing required before work begins or within 5 days per 527 CMR 12). Licensed plumbing and gas contractors required.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $52
- Permit fee formula
- Percentage of contract price plus 4% surcharge on all fees
- Trade permit fee
- Varies by trade; plus 4% surcharge
- Reinspection fee
- $52 (all trades)
- Penalty (no permit)
- Triple the standard fee for work without a permit
- Payment note
- Walk-in payments: check or money order only (credit/debit cards not accepted at counter).
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-01-01).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 120 sq ft
- Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Oil derricks
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height
- Water tanks supported directly on grade (capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons)
- 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, walls above grade, water depth not exceeding 24 inches)
- 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: Taunton clarifies that accessory structures between 120-200 sq ft require a permit (any structure over 120 sq ft triggers a permit requirement). Pools under 24 inches of water depth do not require a permit. Fences up to 7 feet do not require a building permit (though zoning setbacks apply).
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 508-821-1015 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- During stated availability windows (Mon-Thu 8-9 AM; Tue 5-7 PM)
- Inspection hours
- Monday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Tuesday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Wednesday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM - noon
- Time windows
- Inspector availability: Monday-Thursday 8-9 AM; Tuesday evening 5-7 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/footing, Framing, Rough electrical, Rough plumbing, Rough gas, 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
- Permit Fees (PDF)
- Omega Permits Fee Guide (2026)
- License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Department before applying.
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