Marlborough, MA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Marlborough.

Department

Office of Inspectional Services

Address

140 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Marlborough, MA 01752

Phone

508-460-3776

Website

https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/248/Inspectional-Services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine eligibility: licensed contractor or owner of an occupied one- or two-family home.
2. Apply online via OpenGov or submit paper application to the Office of Inspectional Services.
3. For permits paid at time of application, the permit will be mailed upon approval.
4. For permits not pre-paid, applicant is called when approved; fee amount is communicated at that time.
5. Allow at least two weeks for permit processing; more complex projects take longer.
6. Work may not begin before permit issuance.

Typical processing time: At least two weeks for standard projects; more complex projects take longer.

Source: Office of Inspectional Services

General Requirements

Permits required for any work that opens or alters walls, or for construction of sheds over 200 sq. ft., fences, decks, and pools. Structures over 600 sq. ft. require footings per 780 CMR.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Proof of project cost (signed contract)
• Contractor license information (if applicable)
• Workers' compensation documentation

Permit validity

Work may not begin before permit issuance.

Building code

Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 9th Edition

Owner-builder

Owner-builder exemption applies for occupied 1-2 family dwellings per 780 CMR 110.R5.1.

Contractor requirements

Contractor license and workers' compensation documentation required for contractor work.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Fee based on entire estimated cost of construction; proof of cost is a signed contract. Construction values for new buildings determined from ICC Building Valuation Data Report (most current edition).

Reinspection fee

$50 per reinspection (applies to building, plumbing, wiring, and gas)

Penalty (no permit)

Any work started before obtaining a permit is charged double the permit fee

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Structures not exceeding 200 sq. ft. (shed threshold)
• 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, cabinets, and similar finish work

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning or other regulations. Confirm edge cases with the Office of Inspectional Services before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 508-460-3776 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contact Office of Inspectional Services for scheduling details

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Standard 780 CMR inspection stages: footing, framing, rough MEP, final. Reinspection fee of $50 applies when reinspection is necessitated by faulty, illegal, or non-conforming installation.

Additional Resources

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

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