Town of Bridgewater, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the Town of Bridgewater.

Department

Building Department

Address

Municipal Office Building, 66 Central Square, Bridgewater, MA 02324

Phone

(508) 697-0904

Email

ssolari@bridgewaterma.org

Website

https://www.bridgewaterma.gov/services/building/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Register and create an account in the PermitEyes system (approximately 10 minutes for new users).
2. Complete the online permit application, ensuring all required fields are filled. Incomplete applications will be returned, causing delays.
3. Attach all required documents electronically: plans, plot plan, license copies, insurance certificates, Workers' Compensation form.
4. Submit application. The department reviews and computes the fee.
5. Receive email notification when permit is ready for payment.
6. Pay online through PermitEyes; permit is mailed to the applicant.
7. Upon receipt, a permit card must be on-site before any work begins. Failure to have the permit card on-site may result in a triple permit fee penalty.
8. Schedule and pass required inspections.

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks after complete submission for initial permit issuance.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

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

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Two sets of 11" x 17" plans (for garages, porches, decks; structural work requires stamped plans)
• Plot plan showing setback distances and proposed work location
• Contractor's CSL and HIC (as applicable)
• Insurance certificate
• Workers' Compensation form
• For solar: stamped plans from design engineer and structural certification
• For homes and additions: HERS Rater Report, fire department review, structural engineer letter if using engineered lumber

Permit validity

Per 780 CMR 107.5, permits expire if construction has not commenced within 6 months of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 12 months. Renewal fees typically run 25-50% of the original permit fee.

Building code

Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)

Owner-builder

Homeowners performing work on their own owner-occupied 1-2 family dwelling may file a 'Home Owners Waiver Form' to be exempt from CSL/HIC contractor licensing requirements, though they assume full liability.

Contractor requirements

CSL required for structural work. HIC required for improvements to existing residential structures.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Varies by project type; see fee schedule PDF

Plan check fee

Included in building permit fee

Permit fee formula

Construction cost rounded up to nearest $1,000; all fees rounded up to nearest $1.00. See fee schedule for specific per-thousand rates.

Trade permit fee

Plumbing and gas fee schedule published separately; electrical fees vary. Download PDFs from town website.

Reinspection fee

$50.00 (charged if a return inspection is required due to faulty work or failure to keep an inspection appointment)

Penalty (no permit)

2x the permit fee for work started without permit; triple fee possible for egregious violations or failure to have permit card on-site

Payment note

PermitEyes accepts online payment via check routing/account number ($0.40 fee) or credit card (2.95% fee). Paper applications incur $50.00 additional administrative fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Contact department for current rates).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (per 780 CMR 105.2)
• Fences not over seven feet in height
• Oil derricks
• Retaining walls not over four feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work (interior or exterior surface finishes)
• Temporary theatrical sets and scenery
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep and contain less than 5,000 gallons (above-ground, residential)
• Agricultural nursery shade structures (shade cloth only, not service systems)
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to single-family or two-family dwellings
• Window awnings on residential dwellings projecting not more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Plastic film greenhouses used for standard agricultural or nursery purposes
• Repair or replacement of fire protection system components that do not affect system performance or design

Important: Bridgewater-specific local threshold: sheds under 100 square feet do not require a permit (this is slightly more restrictive than the 780 CMR 105.2 statewide threshold of 120 sq ft). Sheds of 100 sq ft or larger require a permit with detailed plans. Historical structures (built 1920 or earlier) require a 'Determination of Significance Application' reviewed by the Historical Commission before a demolition permit is issued.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (508) 697-0904 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contact Building Department during business hours to schedule inspections.

Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Friday: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Time windows

Inspections scheduled during regular business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection stages: footing, foundation, rough frame, rough plumbing, rough electrical, insulation, and final. All applicable sign-offs must be obtained before the final inspection can be scheduled.

Inspectors can be reached through the Building Department main line at (508) 697-0904 during business hours.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)
• Verify contractor license: CSL and HIC Verification (Massachusetts)
• PermitEyes Portal
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Plymouth County