Town of Granby, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Granby (one of the smallest municipalities in Hampshire County).

Department

Building Department

Address

Town Hall Annex / Senior Center Building, 10-B West State Street, Granby, MA 01033

Phone

413-467-7179

Email

buildinginspector@granby-ma.gov

Website

https://www.granby-ma.gov/building-department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the Building Department (413-467-7179 or buildinginspector@granby-ma.gov) to confirm the current submission method and any project-specific requirements.
2. Complete the building permit application (downloadable from the town website).
3. Attach required documents and applicable fee.
4. Submit during office hours (Tuesday/Thursday, 4-6 p.m.) or by mail to Town Hall, 10-B West State Street, Granby, MA 01033.
5. Await approval (30-day review period per 780 CMR).
6. Post issued permit at job site before commencing work.
7. Schedule inspections by appointment (413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179).
8. Final inspection required; Certificate of Occupancy issued upon completion.

Typical processing time: 30 calendar days from receipt of complete application (planning ahead recommended due to part-time schedule)

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction, alteration, and renovation within the Town of Granby.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Workers' Compensation Insurance Affidavit (for contractor applicants)
• Homeowner Exemption Form (if applicable)
• Plot plan / site plan
• Construction drawings (for new construction and larger alterations)
• CSL/HIC license numbers

Permit validity

Permit lapses if work does not commence within 6 months of permit issuance or if work is suspended for 6 months.

Building code

Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) -- 10th Edition (2021 IBC/IRC base) effective July 1, 2025

Owner-builder

The owner of a detached 1- or 2-family dwelling who resides or intends to reside in the home may pull the building permit themselves without a CSL and act as their own general contractor. The homeowner assumes full liability for code compliance.

Contractor requirements

Construction Supervisor License (CSL) required for structural work on structures over 35,000 cubic feet. Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) required for residential renovation projects over $1,000 on 1-4 family homes.

Fees

Permit fee formula

New construction (residential and commercial): fee based on construction market value. Additions/renovations/decks: fee based on construction market value. Communication towers: flat fee. Temporary structures: flat fee. See published 2024 fee schedule.

Reinspection fee

Specified in published schedule

Penalty (no permit)

Double the normal permit fee if work is commenced before permit issuance

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024 (building permit fees 2024.xlsx)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with floor area not greater than 120 sq. ft. (NOTE: Granby published list states sheds 200 sq. ft. or more require a permit -- see caveat below)
• Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall
• Water tanks supported directly on grade with capacity not greater than 5,000 gallons and height-to-diameter ratio not greater than 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Prefabricated above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and less than 5,000 gallons
• Window awnings (supported by exterior wall) projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes
• Greenhouses with plastic film coverings
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Playground equipment on detached 1- and 2-family residential parcels
• Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets and scenery

Important: GRANBY LOCAL RESTRICTION ON SHEDS: Granby's published list of permit-required items explicitly includes 'sheds 200 sq. ft. or more' -- more restrictive than the statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemption (which exempts sheds 120 sq. ft. or less). This creates ambiguity for sheds between 120-200 sq. ft. -- clarify with Building Department before construction. Granby's full permit-required list includes: any new residential/commercial building, additions/renovations, garages/carports/barns, roofs/siding/windows/exterior doors, decks/stairs/egresses, sheds 200 sq. ft. or more, pools, and solar. Trade permits are never exempt.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 413-364-7782 or 413-467-7179 (phone)

Inspection hours

Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 4:00 p.m. -- 6:00 p.m. (note: confirm current hours as of April 2023). Inspections: by appointment only

Typical inspection sequence: All inspections are by appointment only. Standard required inspection stages: 1) Foundation inspection (before backfill), 2) Framing inspection (before sheathing/insulation), 3) Electrical rough-in (by appointment), 4) Plumbing/gas rough-in (by appointment), 5) Insulation inspection (before drywall), 6) Final inspection (all work complete), 7) Certificate of Occupancy. Given part-time nature, inspection scheduling lead times may be significantly longer than larger municipalities.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) -- 10th Edition (2021 IBC/IRC base) effective July 1, 2025
• Verify contractor license: Massachusetts OCABR (CSL/HIC Licensing)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Downloadable Forms
• Planning Board
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

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