Quincy, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the City of Quincy.

Department

Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department

Address

1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169

Phone

(617) 376-1450

Email

Contact via staff directory at quincyma.gov/departments/inspectional_services/contacts.php

Website

https://www.quincyma.gov/departments/inspectional_services/inspectional_services_departments/building.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create or log into ViewPoint Cloud account at quincyma.viewpointcloud.com.
2. Select permit category (building, electrical, plumbing, gas, zoning, or conservation).
3. Complete online application with job address, owner information, assessor's map/lot, zoning district, and detailed description of work with estimated cost.
4. Upload required attachments: plot plan, construction drawings, CSL and HIC licenses (or homeowner exemption affidavit), and workers' compensation affidavit.
5. Submit application and pay fee online.
6. Application routes to plan examiner and building inspector for review; respond to any requests for additional information or revisions.
7. Permit issued electronically; print and post on site before commencing work.
8. Schedule inspections through portal or by calling department; applicants may attend free Thursday afternoon clinic for assistance.

Typical processing time: Varies by project type; applicants encouraged to attend Thursday permit help clinic (2:00--4:00 PM) for free guidance.

Source: Department of Inspectional Services, Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Quincy.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application via ViewPoint Cloud
• Plot plan
• Construction drawings
• CSL (Construction Supervisor License) and HIC (Home Improvement Contractor) licenses or homeowner exemption affidavit
• Workers' compensation affidavit
• Zoning board or planning approvals (if required)

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), 9th and 10th Editions

Owner-builder

An owner of a one- or two-family dwelling used as primary residence may obtain a permit without a CSL but assumes full contractor liability and forfeits Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law protections.

Contractor requirements

CSL required for all non-owner-occupied work and for owner-occupied structures where work exceeds homeowner exemption scope. HIC registration required for residential remodeling.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$20.00

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee

Permit fee formula

First $1,000 of construction cost: $20.00; each additional $1,000 (or part thereof): $12.00

Trade permit fee

Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits assessed separately; contact department for current rates

Reinspection fee

$50.00 per additional inspection for defective work, improper materials, incorrect address, or inaccessibility

Penalty (no permit)

Double the applicable permit fee for work commenced without a permit (effective from day 6 of unpermitted work)

Payment note

Payment processed through ViewPoint Cloud online

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Current; confirm with (617) 376-1450 for most recent updates).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses, similar) 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
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Residential accessory above-ground swimming pools less than 24 inches deep, less than 5,000 gallons, and not permanently connected to any structure
• Shade cloth structures for nursery and agricultural purposes
• Swings and other playground equipment attached to a single- or two-family dwelling
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall projecting no more than 54 inches from the wall
• Non-fixed and moveable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not exceeding 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Plastic-film covered greenhouse structures
• Routine maintenance and in-kind repairs to existing fire suppression/detection systems that do not affect system performance

Important: Ordinary repairs not requiring trade permits do not require a building permit under 780 CMR. Confirm edge cases with Inspectional Services.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• ViewPoint Cloud portal (online)
• (617) 376-1450 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

No specific deadline; schedule during office hours

Inspection hours

Monday--Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Time windows

General office hours; permit help clinics every Thursday, 2:00 PM--4:00 PM (free, no appointment, first-come first-served)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, rough electrical (Inspector of Wires), rough plumbing and gas (separate inspectors), insulation, final building, final trades.

Not specified; contact department for remote inspection eligibility

Additional Resources

• Building code: 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code), 9th and 10th Editions
• Verify contractor license: Massachusetts Professional Licensure Directory
• Fee Ordinance (ecode360)
• Inspectional Services Main
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

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