Town of Edgartown, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Edgartown, including the Chappaquiddick area.

Department

Building Inspector's Office

Address

167 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, MA 02539

Phone

(508) 627-6115

Website

https://edgartown-ma.us/departments/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Verify zoning compliance with Edgartown Zoning Bylaw (planning-regulations page).
2. Obtain Historic District Commission Certificate of Appropriateness if property is in the Edgartown Village Historic District (exterior alterations visible from public way).
3. File Notice of Intent with Conservation Commission if work is within 200 feet of wetland resource area (or 300 feet in Edgartown Ponds Area District); obtain Order of Conditions before building permit issuance.
4. Refer large-scale projects to Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) if they meet Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds before town action.
5. Submit building permit application online via portal (or in person with $200 surcharge). Homeowners using exemption must file Homeowner Exemption Affidavit.
6. Building Inspector reviews submitted plans for 780 CMR compliance.
7. Permit issuance after approval; construction must commence within 6 months.
8. Schedule building, electrical, plumbing, and gas inspections through building department.
9. Certificate of Occupancy issued after all final inspections pass.

Typical processing time: 1-2 weeks for simpler projects; 2-4 weeks for larger projects. Add 2-3 months for projects requiring zoning variance, Historic District review, or ConCom approval. MVC DRI projects add 2-4 months.

Source: Building Inspector's Office

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Edgartown except as exempted by 780 CMR 105.2.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application (signed by contractor or homeowner with exemption affidavit)
• Site plan showing lot dimensions, existing structures, proposed work, setbacks
• Construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections) — Massachusetts-licensed A/E stamp required for commercial
• Workers' compensation insurance certificate or affidavit of exemption
• CSL number (Construction Supervisor License for structures over 35,000 cubic feet) or HIC number (Home Improvement Contractor for smaller residential)
• Homeowner Exemption Affidavit (if owner pulling permit for primary residence)
• ConCom Order of Conditions (if within wetland buffer)
• Historic District Certificate of Appropriateness (if applicable)
• MVC approval (if DRI)

Permit validity

Must commence construction within 6 months of issuance. Work may lapse if suspended for 12 months.

Building code

780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th Edition effective October 11, 2024; 9th Edition prior)

Owner-builder

Homeowners of a 1- or 2-family primary residence may pull permits without a CSL or HIC license but must file a Homeowner Exemption Affidavit and assume full contractor liability.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid CSL (structures over 35,000 cf) or HIC registration for residential work under that threshold. Separate licensed contractors required for electrical, plumbing, and gas work (homeowners may pull own electrical permit only).

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not confirmed in accessible sources

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee (no separate charge mentioned)

Permit fee formula

Based on construction value; specific per-$1,000 rate not publicly disclosed post-September 2025. Contact department for current rate.

Trade permit fee

Separate fees for electrical, plumbing, and gas permits (set by respective inspectors per state guidelines)

Reinspection fee

Not confirmed in accessible sources

Payment note

Payment accepted at time of permit issuance. Verify accepted payment methods with department.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective September 15, 2025 (exact rate not publicly disclosed)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses, similar) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences not over 7 feet in height
• Retaining walls under 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
• Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not over 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not over 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet and countertop installation, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep (under 5,000 gallons)
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater sets and scenery
• Agricultural shade structures (nursery/agricultural cloth structures)
• Playground equipment accessory to a detached residence
• Window awnings projecting no more than 54 inches
• Non-fixed and movable partitions and racks under 5 feet 9 inches tall
• Plastic-film-covered greenhouse structures

Important: Exemption from building permit does NOT exempt work from specialized codes (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical). Separate trade permits may be required. Conservation Commission jurisdiction applies regardless of building permit exemption. Work within the Historic District still requires Historic District Commission review regardless of building permit exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (508) 627-6115 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Standard business day scheduling; specific deadline not published

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Time windows

Specific inspection time windows not published in accessible sources; contact department

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: excavation and footing, foundation, rough frame, insulation, final building. Trade inspections (rough and final electrical, plumbing, gas) coordinated separately.

Remote or digital inspections may be used at inspector discretion for certain inspection types

Additional Resources

• Building code: 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th Edition effective October 11, 2024; 9th Edition prior)
• Verify contractor license: Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards - License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Historic District Commission
• Conservation Commission
• Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC DRI)
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

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