Inspectional Services

Inspectional Services has moved to the Parker Annex 3^rd floor, room 3D, located at 124 Watertown Street, Watertown, MA 02472. See the google map and get directions.

Building Resources

Building Permit/Code

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.

Helpful Links

The 8th edition of the building code uses code books published by the International Code Council (ICC) with separate amendment packages published by Massachusetts.

To purchase code books contact ICC or a major book vendor.
View only the International Codes.
To purchase Massachusetts amendments contact the State House Bookstore 617-727-2834.

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"

Plumbing & Gas Resources

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.

Watertown adheres to the Massachusetts Fuel/Gas and Plumbing Codes 248 CMR.

Wire/Electrical Resources

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.