The Inspector of Buildings, reviews and approves all building applications for compliance with §780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code, 9th Edition and all other pertinent codes.
Building permits are required for most work being done on/in a structure including temporary structures (tents). Exceptions are minor repairs, painting, relocating an interior non-structural office divider, removing an interior door, installing/building a shed less than 200 square feet or a retaining wall less than 48 inches high.
Check with the Inspector of Buildings should you have any questions on whether or not the work you are about to do requires a permit.
Some Building Permits will require prior approval of Zoning and/or Department of Public Works (DPW) (such as new construction, razing, additions). Please contact these Departments for more information.
In addition to overseeing all building construction within the City, the Inspector of Buildings performs annual safety inspections of all commercial establishments and monitors compliance of Architectural Access Board Rules and Regulations.
The 8th edition of the building code uses code books published by the International Code Council (ICC) with separate amendment packages published by Massachusetts.
| 2009 International Codes (I-Codes) | Massachusetts Regulations |
|---|---|
| IBC - International Building Code 2015 | 780 CMR - MA Amendments to the IBC and IRC 2015 |
| IRC - International Residential Code 2015 | NEC - Electrical 2020 |
| IEBC - International Existing Building Code 2015 | N/A |
| IECC - International Energy Conservation Code 2018 | 521 CMR - MA accessibility regulations |
| IMC - International Mechanical Code 2015 | 248 CMR - MA plumbing regulations 2021 |
| IFC - International Fire Code 2015 | 524 CMR - MA elevator regulations 2009 |
| NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code 2012 | |
| NFPA 58 – Liquified Petroleum Gas Code 2011 |
Note: Watertown is a "Stretch Community"
Permits are issued to Massachusetts Licensed Plumbers and Gas Fitters Only. The State has mandated a universal application form for all Plumbing and Gas Permit Application Forms.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, has acted as sponsor of the National Electrical Code (NEC) since 1911. Watertown's Electrical Inspector bases all inspections upon these codes (NEC 2017). The purpose of the code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. Refer to NEC Article 90.1, Purpose.