Leominster, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Leominster.

Department

Building Department

Address

25 West Street, Room 8, Leominster, MA 01453

Phone

978-534-7517

Website

https://www.leominster-ma.gov/247/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Complete the building permit application. Owner signature required on the application or on a contract/authorization form. Digital signatures are not accepted; original signatures are required.
2. Attach a completed Workers' Compensation Affidavit.
3. Submit supporting documents as required based on project scope; complexity determines documentation requirements.
4. For a fee calculation before submitting, call or email the Building Department.
5. Note: Incomplete applications are not retained.
6. Await approval before commencing work.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all work done to a residence except painting, wallpaper, and flooring. A building permit is required for all commercial work except painting, wallpaper, and flooring.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Workers' Compensation Affidavit
• Owner signature (original, not digital)
• Supporting documents specific to project scope

Permit validity

Work may not begin before permit approval.

Building code

Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 9th Edition

Owner-builder

Owner-builder eligibility (residential): homeowner may apply if their name appears on the deed, they reside at the property, and it is a one- or two-family home. If the homeowner is not on the deed, lives elsewhere, or the property has three or more units, a licensed contractor must apply.

Contractor requirements

Licensed contractor required for commercial buildings and rental properties. Commercial buildings: only a licensed contractor, architect, or engineer may apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$22

Permit fee formula

Fee based on total cost of work (materials plus labor), rounded up to the nearest thousand. First $1,000: $22. Each additional $1,000 (or fraction): $7.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures under 120 sq. ft. (commercial code) or 200 sq. ft. (residential code)
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height
• Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not greater than 5,000 gallons
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Ordinary repairs to structures
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work (both residential and commercial)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other regulations. Confirm edge cases with the Building Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• MyBuildingPermit portal (online)
• 978-534-7517 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contact Building Department for scheduling details

Inspection hours

Contact department for current hours

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection scheduling available through the MyBuildingPermit portal. Standard 780 CMR inspection stages apply: footing, framing, rough trades, final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 9th Edition
• Verify contractor license: Massachusetts Contractor Licensing
• MyBuildingPermit
• License lookup guide: Massachusetts Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Massachusetts Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Massachusetts hub: Massachusetts Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Worcester County