City Building Permits
Peabody, MA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Peabody, Massachusetts. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Peabody.
- Department
- Building Inspectors / Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960
- Phone
- 978-538-5786
Online Permit Portal
Platform: OpenGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Create an account on the OpenGov portal.
- Complete the permit application; upload required plans and documentation.
- Submit and pay fees online.
- Department reviews; 30-day statutory review period.
- Permit issued; post at job site before work begins.
- Work must commence within 6 months of permit issuance.
- Schedule inspections by email or phone with the individual inspector.
Typical processing time: 30-day statutory review period under 780 CMR
Source: Building Inspectors / Inspectional Services Department
General Requirements
All construction within the City of Peabody requires a building permit.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Construction plans
- Required documentation
- Permit validity
- Work must commence within 6 months of permit issuance.
- Building code
- Massachusetts Building Code 780 CMR; 10th Edition effective for applications filed after June 30, 2025.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder exception applies to owner-occupied one- or two-family residences under 780 CMR 110.R5.1.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed CSL required for all commercial work and residential work on structures over 35,000 cubic feet or not owner-occupied. Permit card must be prominently posted at the job site. Work must progress continuously once started.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $50 (residential); $100 (commercial)
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based; contact department for current per-thousand rate
- Trade permit fee
- $35.00 per $1,000 of estimated electrical construction cost (minimum $125); $250.00 per quarter or per-fixture basis for plumbing/gas (contact department for current schedule)
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Building Inspectors / Inspectional Services Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 978-538-5786 (phone)
- Kelly.Rydzewski@peabody-ma.gov (email)
- Inspection hours
- Mon-Wed 8:30 AM-10:00 AM and 3:00 PM-4:00 PM; Thu 8:30 AM-10:00 AM and 5:30 PM-7:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM-10:00 AM and 12:00 PM-12:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections scheduled by email or phone with the individual inspector. Same-day or next-business-day response typical. Standard 780 CMR milestone inspections apply.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Massachusetts Building Code 780 CMR; 10th Edition effective for applications filed after June 30, 2025.
- Verify contractor license: Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License Lookup
- Permit Fee Schedule (PDF)
- 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 Inspectors / Inspectional Services Department before applying.
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