City Building Permits

Town of Dedham, MA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Dedham, Massachusetts. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Massachusetts Norfolk County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Dedham.

Department
Building Department
Address
450 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026 (Town Hall; mailing: P.O. Box 306, Dedham, MA 02027)
Phone
(781) 751-9180 (main); (781) 751-9182 (Building Commissioner)
Website
https://www.dedham-ma.gov/town-departments/building

Online Permit Portal

Open OpenGov

Platform: OpenGov • Account required: No • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Access OpenGov portal at dedhamma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1071.
  2. Select permit type (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, etc.).
  3. Complete online application: property address, project description, estimated construction value, contractor and license information.
  4. Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL/HIC license documentation, workers' compensation affidavit.
  5. Pay fees online through portal.
  6. Building Department reviews application for zoning compliance and code requirements.
  7. Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work.
  8. Schedule inspections by contacting Building Department during office hours; inspectors also available alternating Wednesday evenings.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity; contact Building Department for estimate.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Dedham.

Required Documents

  • Completed OpenGov application
  • Plot plan showing lot dimensions, setbacks, existing structures, and zoning compliance
  • Construction drawings
  • CSL/HIC license documentation (or homeowner exemption)
  • Workers' compensation affidavit
Permit validity
Permit lapses if work does not commence within six months of issuance or if work is abandoned for six months.
Building code
780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code)
Owner-builder
Homeowner exemption available for primary one- or two-family residence. CSL required for contractor-pulled permits.
Contractor requirements
CSL required for contractor-pulled permits; HIC registration required for home improvement contractors. Double permit fee penalty if work started without permit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Varies by project type (confirm with department)
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee
Permit fee formula
Assessed per $1,000 of construction cost (current rate not published in plain text; confirm via portal or department)
Trade permit fee
Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately
Reinspection fee
Applies for inaccessible premises, failed inspections, or inadequate work
Penalty (no permit)
Double the applicable permit fee for work commenced without a permit
Payment note
Payment processed through OpenGov portal online

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective February 1, 2023 (fee increase effective date)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures with floor area 120 square feet or less
  • Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
  • Retaining walls not more than 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing), unless retaining surcharge or impounding liquid
  • Water tanks supported directly on grade, not exceeding 5,000 gallons, with a height-to-diameter ratio of 2:1 or less
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall

Important: Statewide 780 CMR 105.2 exemptions apply. Contact Building Commissioner Kenneth Cimeno at (781) 751-9182 with questions about specific project exemptions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (781) 751-9180 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Schedule during office hours
Inspection hours
Monday--Thursday until 4:00 PM; Wednesday until 7:00 PM (year-round); Friday until 1:00 PM. Inspectors available alternating Wednesday evenings (confirm specific hours).
Time windows
General office hours; inspectors available alternating Wednesday evenings

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough gas (each trade inspector separately), insulation, final building, final electrical, final plumbing, final gas.

Not specified; contact Building Department for remote inspection eligibility

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Department before applying.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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