Pulling a permit in Middlesex County, Massachusetts means pinpointing the exact permitting requirements of the town or municipality you’re working in. Each municipality in the county operates its own building department and issues its own permits independently. Policies in Newton might not apply in Framingham, even though they're both in Middlesex County.
This guide helps you understand Middlesex County building permit requirements. We cover common permit requirements, typical processes, state code compliance, and how to navigate working in multiple jurisdictions.
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What requires a building permit in Middlesex County, MA?
There’s no county-wide building department in Massachusetts. Instead, each city and town within Middlesex County, like Newton, Waltham, Lowell, and Somerville, has its own Building Department responsible for issuing permits and enforcing the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR).
Projects that almost always require Middlesex County permits include:
- New houses/additions
- Finishing basements
- Structural changes
- Re-roofing/re-siding that affects the envelope/energy compliance
- Windows/doors (typically)
- New decks that exceed exemption thresholds
- Retaining walls supporting surcharge
- Pools >24″ deep
- Change-of-use (e.g., single-family → two-family)
What doesn’t require a building permit in Middlesex County, MA?
These exemptions come straight from 780 CMR §105.2 (Residential “R” provisions and parallel IBC provisions). Other approvals (zoning, historic, conservation) or trade permits may still be needed.
Typical statewide exemptions (apply in Middlesex County cities/towns):
- One-story detached accessory structures <200 ft² used as sheds/playhouses, etc. (1–2 family)
- Fences <7 ft high
- Retaining walls <4 ft measured footing to top and not supporting a surcharge
- Ordinary repairs that don’t affect structure, means of egress, fire protection, energy, or utilities (e.g., painting, cabinets, flooring)
- Small, low, freestanding decks that are all of the following: <200 ft², <30 in. above grade, not attached to the dwelling, and do not serve the required exit door (common interpretation under R105.2; many MA towns publish this exact threshold)
Middlesex County building permit cost
There are no county-level building permit fees for Middlesex County, MA. In Massachusetts, fees are set and collected by each individual city or town’s building services department. To find the applicable costs for your project, use the official fee pages for the municipality where the work is located (see links below).
How long do building permits last in Middlesex County, MA?
In most cities, building permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. Each inspection resets that window. If work doesn’t commence or is suspended for over 6 months, the permit may expire and require reapplication or an extension.
Middlesex County trade permits
Just as with building permit fees, trade permit fees in Middlesex County vary from town to town. For accurate trade permit costs, you’ll need to contact the building department of the city or town where you’re working.
Plumbing permits
Plumbing Middlesex County permits are required for all new installs, rerouting, or fixture relocations involving water supply, waste, or vent systems.
Electrical permits
Any new circuit, panel upgrade, or whole-building wiring work requires an electrical permit.
HVAC permits
Mechanical permits cover heating and cooling systems, including ductless mini-splits, furnaces, and central AC systems.
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How to get a Middlesex County, MA building permit
Step 1: Identify your municipality
Middlesex County permits and fees vary across each municipality in the county. Start by visiting your city/town’s Building Department website.
Application processes vary — for example:
- Lowell accepts many permit types online (Plumbing, Gas, Electrical, Sheet Metal, Roofing, Siding, Windows, Insulation, Solar)
- Newton uses an OpenGov/ViewPoint portal for trade permits (plumbing/gas/electrical)
- Somerville routes you through ISD and CitizenServe; the Building Division page is your jumping-off point
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Under R105.3, the applicant (owner or authorized agent) must file a form furnished by the building official and include enough information for review.
In general, plan to have the following ready before you start your application:
- Identify and describe the work covered by the permit
- Describe the land (site address/parcel) where work is to occur
- Owner/applicant/contractor information and signature(s)
- Construction documents required by the building official (plans/specs; may be digital or paper depending on the town)
- Estimated valuation of the work (used to calculate fees)
Note: Massachusetts publishes standard state application forms that many cities use. Your municipality will either use these or provide its own portal version.
Step 3: Submit your Middlesex County building permit application
Most Middlesex County cities now use an online portal, though a few still accept counter or mail-in filings for some permits.
What to know:
- File online where available; upload plans and supporting docs the portal asks for
- Some departments (e.g., Cambridge) maintain counters/office hours for questions and scheduling, even with online filing
Examples of portals in different cities:
Step 4: Plan review and approvals
Your application is routed by the Building Department; they may consult Zoning/Planning, Fire, Plumbing, Gas, Electrical, Conservation, etc. Under 780 CMR, the building official must act on a complete application within ~30 days (approve/deny/next steps).
Step 5: Pay fees and receive your permit
When approved, you’ll be prompted to pay fees (often valuation-based) and then post the permit on site. The permit bears the building official’s signature per R105.3.
Step 6: Begin work and schedule inspections
Follow your city’s instructions to request inspections at required milestones (e.g., footing/foundation, roughs, insulation, finals). Municipal pages explain whether you schedule via the portal or by calling the relevant division/inspector.
Contact information for major cities in the county:
- Lowell, MA
- Phone number: 978-674-4144
- Address: 375 Merrimack St., 2nd Fl., Room 55, Lowell, MA 01852
- Call Development Services for building/trade inspection coordination. Division performs all inspections for issued permits
- Cambridge, MA
- Phone number: 617-349-6100
- Address: 831 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139
- ISD main line for inspections; office hours posted on ISD site. (Records room hours also listed)
- Framingham, MA
- Phone number: 508-532-5500
- Address: 150 Concord St., Room 203, Framingham, MA 01702
- Inspector office hours posted; you can also call the direct inspector lines below
- Building Inspector: 508-532-6178 (Jim Murphy) / 508-532-6175 (Eric Chartier)
- Plumbing Inspector: 508-532-6177 (Mark Shahood)
- Electrical Inspector: 508-532-6179 (Michael Giargiari)
- Newton, MA
- Phone number: 617-796-1060
- Address: City Hall, Room 202, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02459
- Building inspectors’ office hours 7–9am and 3–4pm; call to schedule. Trades have similar hours
- Somerville, MA
- Phone number: 617-625-6600 x5600
- Address: 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145
- Email: isd@somervillema.gov
- Call or email ISD; CitizenServe lists walk-in hours for permitting/inspections questions
Middlesex County permitting resources
- Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR §105
- 780 CMR §105.1 (what requires a building permit)
- 780 CMR §105.2 (work exempt from permit)
- 780 CMR §105.3 (application process)
- What requires/doesn't require a building permit:
- Fees:
- City of Cambridge, MA
- City of Framingham, MA
- City of Newton, MA
- Somerville, MA
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