Building Permits
- Get a plot plan from assessors. Andrea can be reached at (978) 724-6658 or by email at petershamboa@gmail.com.
- Include building plans, workers compensation and debris disposal.
- If doing the work yourself please sign homeowner warning notice.
- Make sure you have a sign-off from Tax Collector that all Real Estate taxes have been paid. (978) 724-6620 or petershamtax@verizon.net.
- Find out if your building lot is Department of Conservation & Recreation affected. You need to know your parcel number. If you have any questions please call DCR (413) 961-9583.
- If you are in the Historic District, you need to meet with the Historic District Commission, contact Robert Clark, Chair at (978) 724-3564.
- If your lot contains any wetlands, contact the Petersham Conservation Commission. They usually meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month or as posted, or call Mike Seitz Chair at (508) 439-3864.
- The Highway Superintendent, Greg Waid issues driveway permits. He can be reached at 31 South Street, (978) 724-3211.
- You need to install a well on your property before a building permit can be issued. The Board of Health issues well permits. BOH can be reached at (978) 724-0057. Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. The board can be reached at petershamboh@verizon.net.
- The Board of Health will also issue a permit for the sewage disposal system.
Items that need to be submitted to the building inspector for permit issuance are:
- Plot Plan. An approved septic design is acceptable as long as it shows the location of the proposed structure on the property.
- Construction Plans. Please include a cross section of the structure, showing sufficient details to fully describe the work intended.
- Energy Code compliance report. MAScheck software is available online at www.mass.gov/bbrs Home Energy Rating Certificate (HERS)
- Construction Supervisor’s License if you are hiring a general contractor, and Home Improvement Contractor Registration for every building permit application unless you are applying as a homeowner.
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affidavit must accompany every building permit application.
- Debris Disposal Affidavit
- If applying as homeowner, include homeowner warning notice.
Applicability: Building permits are required for any construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, moving or demolition of a building or structure; or change of use and occupancy; or for the installation or alteration of any equipment which is regulated under the provisions of the Massachusetts State Building Code.
Exemptions: Building permits are not required for, one story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet in Residential Zoning or 120 square feet in Commercial or Business zoning. (regardless of the size, zoning setbacks must be followed) fences 7 feet in height or less; retaining walls which retain less than 4 feet of unbalanced fill; ordinary repairs and maintenance which do not alter the building or structure; greenhouse covered exclusively with plastic film.
Application: Application must be made by the owner or authorized agent. The application must be thoroughly and accurately completed. Accuracy and completeness will directly affect the time required to process the application through the Planning, Conservation, Health, Water and Sewer, Fire and Inspections Departments. The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) provide that the building official shall review an application within 30 days of filing. For purpose of this section, the application is not considered to have been filed until other departments have approved it and it is returned to the Inspections Department for plan review. The building permit fee, payable to the town of permit application in the correct amount , must be included with the permit application (some amounts may be determined after permit application is presented). Permit fees are not reimbursable, non-transferable, nor does payment guarantee issuance of a building permit.
Construction Documents: Include one (1) set of scaled drawings and specifications and two (2) half size or 11 x 17 set with the completed application. The plans must be of sufficient clarity, detail and dimensions to show compliance with the building code, including identification of Code Books the plans are drawn on. At a minimum, construction documents shall include the following: foundation plans and details, floor plans with room dimensions and showing the location of all fire protection systems and heating system storage areas, exterior building elevations, framing plans showing structural elements and connection details, schedule and/or detail of door and window installation and energy conservation details. If the proposed work involves adding a bedroom, the plans must show location of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Work requiring the installation of fire alarm/fire protection must also be shown on the plans. Upon plan review by the Inspections Department, one (1) set of plans will be forwarded to the Fire Department for inspection purposes. Upon building permit issuance, the full size set of plans will be returned to the applicant with the required inspections noted on the plans.
Stamped Plans: Plans and specifications for any building containing more than 35,000 cubic feet of enclosed space must be stamped and signed by a Massachusetts registered architect or engineer. In addition, the building official may require the services of a registered design professional for plans involving the design of any structural member or building system.
Plot Plan: If the footprint of an existing building or structure is being changed or a new building is being located on a lot, a scaled plot plan must be submitted with the application. The plot plan, drawn and stamped by a registered land surveyor, must show lot dimensions, locations and setbacks of all existing and proposed structures, easements, septic systems, location of any flood zones and wetland. A mortgage survey plan will not be accepted to satisfy this requirement.
Construction Supervisor License and/or Home Improvement registration:If application is made by the contractor of record, include a valid copy of your Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License and/or Home Improvement Registration, if applicable. If a homeowner is applying for a building permit (one and two family only), a completed homeowner exemption affidavit must be included with the application (form available at the Inspections Dept. or on-line).
Debris Disposal Affidavit: A signed completed Debris Disposal Affidavit is to included with all permit applications (form available at Inspections Dept. or on-line).
Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affidavit: Complete and sign Worker’s Compensation Insurance affidavit and include copy of insurance policy, if applicable (form available at Inspections Dept. or on-line).
Posting of Permit: The building permit signature card must be posted at the work site in clear view and protected by the weather at all times and made available to the appropriate inspector during the required inspection. Provide a self addressed stamped envelope for permit signature card to be forwarded.
Required Inspections: The building permit will indicate specific points in the construction process at which inspections must be made. No work should proceed until each of these phases has been inspected and approved. It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify each inspector at least 48 business hours in advance of each required inspection.
Expiration of Permit: A building permit expires if the work authorized is not started within six (6) months of issuance and continued, in good faith, to completion.
Occupancy: Upon completion of work for new construction or change of use, a Certificate of Use and Occupancy must be obtained by the applicant before the building can be occupied.
All inspections are to be requested by the licensed professional on Record (CSL).
- The Building Department requires installations to pass a FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION FIRST, final BUILDING INSPECTION SECOND and then a final ELECTRICAL INSPECTION.
- The installer phones the FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR and requests an inspection. At the time of the inspection, the following required documents are to be on-site and available AT INSTALLED EQUIPMENT for ALL INSPECTIONS. Failure of this will result in additional fees and longer time of approval.
- ORIGINAL Permit Signature Card
- Engineer’s Installation Plan
- Engineer’s Final Installation Affidavit
- After the FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION is complete, the installer schedules a BUILDING DEPARTMENT INSPECTION.
- After the BUILDING DEPARTMENT INSPECTION is complete, the installer schedules and ELECTRICAL INSPECTION.
- It is the Applicants responsibility to forward the listed documents in #2 to the Building Department Office after electrical final signature. CoC will not be issued until this is completed.