City Building Permits

Revere, MA Building Permit Guide

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

Massachusetts Suffolk County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Revere.

Department
Building Division (Inspectional Services Department)
Address
American Legion Building, Basement, 249R Broadway, Revere, MA 02151
Phone
781-286-8196 or 781-284-1174
Website
https://www.revere.org/departments/building-division

Online Permit Portal

Open CitizenServe Online Portal

Platform: CitizenServe • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Visit www.revere.org/permitting and register/log in to CitizenServe.
  2. Select permit type from the application menu.
  3. Complete all required fields and upload all required documents (see general requirements).
  4. Submit application through the portal.
  5. A City Inspector reviews the application and notifies applicant by email of progress, questions, or issues.
  6. Applicant can monitor status, add documents, or send messages to inspector through portal.
  7. Upon approval, receive email requesting fee payment.
  8. After payment, permit card is available to download.
  9. Print and post permit card at job site before work begins.
  10. Schedule required inspections through the CitizenServe portal.
  11. For new construction or change of occupancy, apply for Certificate of Occupancy before occupying space.

Typical processing time: Varies based on application completeness and plan review complexity. Initial inspector contact typically within approximately two weeks.

Source: Building Division (Inspectional Services Department)

General Requirements

A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, demolition of a structure, installation of any sign, or any work affecting structure, systems, or occupancy.

Required Documents

  • Completed permit application
  • Scope of work description
  • Construction cost estimate
  • Valid state contractor license (relevant to permit type), uploaded to portal
  • Current Workers' Compensation Affidavit
  • Owner's authorization (where applicable)
  • Any past Building Investigation and Evaluation documentation per 780 CMR Chapter 34 (if applicable)
Permit validity
Permit card must be posted prominently at the job site from issuance through final inspection. Work must begin within six months of permit issuance.
Building code
780 CMR 9th Edition (2015 International Building Code with Massachusetts amendments) plus City of Revere building code ordinances (Chapter 17.48)
Owner-builder
Owner-builder exemption applies to owners of 1-2 family dwellings they reside in or intend to reside in. Homeowners must provide required affidavits and waivers.
Contractor requirements
Permits are issued to Massachusetts-licensed Construction Supervisors. Contractor license must be valid and current. Plumbing, gas, and electrical work requires separately licensed trade contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$50 application fee for all building permits
Permit fee formula
Residential 1-2 family renovations/additions/roofing/siding/pools/accessory: $50 + $12 per $1,000 of construction cost. Residential 1-2 family new construction: $50 + $12 per $1,000 (based on $85/sq ft valuation). Commercial (3+ family, non-residential): $50 + $15 per $1,000.
Trade permit fee
Electrical residential: $50 + $3 per $1,000. Electrical commercial: $50 + $4 per $1,000. Plumbing/Gas: $50 + $5 per fixture; water heaters $50; gas-fired boilers $100.
Penalty (no permit)
Working without permits doubles building permit fees and triples electrical permit fees.
Payment note
Payment accepted online through CitizenServe.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Council Order 25-179).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 120 square feet without electrical, plumbing, or mechanical utilities
  • Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from footing bottom to wall top, not supporting a surcharge
  • Ground-supported water tanks under 5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter ratio not exceeding 2:1
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement
  • Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
  • Prefabricated swimming pools under 24 inches deep and under 5,000 gallons, accessory to residential use
  • Agricultural nursery cloth shade structures without service systems
  • Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached 1-2 family dwellings
  • Window awnings on Group R-3 and U occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
  • Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
  • Greenhouses covered exclusively with plastic film
  • Ordinary repairs not affecting structure, egress, fire protection, fire ratings, energy conservation, plumbing, sanitary, gas, electrical, or other utilities

Important: Even when a building permit is not required, plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical work may still require trade-specific permits. Cosmetic work (painting, wallpapering, carpeting) is exempt. Consult the Building Inspector for direction on borderline cases.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Schedule inspections through the CitizenServe portal at least 24 hours in advance.
Inspection hours
Monday through Thursday: 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday: 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Standard inspection stages: foundation (before pouring), framing (before closing walls), mechanical rough-ins (electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC before covering), and final inspection (all work complete).

Additional Resources

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

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Revere can be complicated.

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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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