Brockton, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Brockton.

Department

Department of Inspectional Services -- Building Division

Address

Brockton City Hall, 3rd Floor, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301

Phone

(508) 580-7150

Email

building@cobma.us

Website

https://brockton.ma.us/city-departments/building/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Prepare documentation: complete application form, construction drawings to scale, plot/site plan showing setbacks, contractor license copies and insurance certificates, estimated construction cost, structural calculations if required, workers' compensation affidavit.
2. Check zoning compliance. If a variance, special permit, or ZBA determination is needed, obtain that approval before submitting the building permit application.
3. For commercial/multifamily projects meeting certain thresholds, a site plan review by the planning board may be required before permit issuance.
4. Submit all documents and fees through the CitizenServe portal. Contractors must be pre-registered.
5. Plan review and corrections: the Superintendent reviews within 10 business days of a complete submission; may issue corrections or request additional information.
6. Pay final computed fees and receive permit.
7. Post permit card on site and schedule inspections as work proceeds.

Typical processing time: 10 business days for plan review; 2-4 weeks for complete processing including corrections.

Source: Department of Inspectional Services -- Building Division

General Requirements

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

Required Documents

• Two copies of completed application
• Complete working plans and specifications including detailed structural drawings
• Plot/site plan showing setbacks and lot lines
• Workers' Compensation Affidavit
• Contractor licenses and insurance
• Estimated construction value

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

Owners of 1-2 family dwellings may pull their own permits and supervise work on their primary residence without holding a CSL, but they assume full contractor liability and waive rights to the HIC Guaranty Fund.

Contractor requirements

CSL required for structural work and all work on structures over 35,000 cubic feet. HIC registration required for improvements to existing 1-6 unit owner-occupied residential properties.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100.00

Plan check fee

Included in building permit fee

Permit fee formula

$100.00 for the first $5,000 of construction valuation; $20.00 per additional $1,000 (or fraction thereof) over $5,000

Trade permit fee

Gas -- residential: $75.00 base + $10.00 per fixture; commercial: $150.00 base + $20.00 per fixture; Plumbing -- residential: $75.00 base + $10.00 per fixture; commercial: $150.00 base + $20.00 per fixture; Electrical: $15.00 minimum + $1.00 per item

Reinspection fee

Not specified in public materials; assume $50-$75

Penalty (no permit)

2x the applicable permit fee for work started without permit

Payment note

Payment through CitizenServe portal; fees subject to online payment processing.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Per Brockton Code of Ordinances, Section 4-3).

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
• 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: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding. Note: Formal statewide threshold for exempt detached accessory structures under 780 CMR 105.2 is 120 square feet.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building inspectors: (508) 580-7150 (phone)
• Plumbing/Gas inspectors: (508) 580-7145 (phone)
• Wiring inspectors: (508) 580-7146 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection scheduling windows: 8:30-10:00 AM and 3:00-4:30 PM

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (excluding state and federal holidays)

Time windows

AM window: 8:30 AM-10:00 AM; PM window: 3:00 PM-4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Three trade disciplines handle inspections; each must be called separately during the applicable phase of construction. Typical sequence: foundation/footing; rough framing; rough plumbing; rough electrical/wiring; insulation; final building; final electrical; final plumbing/gas; Certificate of Occupancy inspection.

Trade inspectors coordinate during their respective phase windows; multiple inspections may be scheduled within the same window.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR (10th Edition effective July 1, 2025)
• Verify contractor license: CSL and HIC Verification (Massachusetts)
• Building Department Main Page
• Brockton Code of Ordinances Chapter 4
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

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