It is the mission of the building department to provide the highest standard of public safety through inspection of all buildings and structures in the City of Medford, enforcement of the State Building Code, plumbing, gas, electrical codes, and all pertinent regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our office regulates property rights and uses to all stakeholders by enforcing the zoning ordinance dimensional controls and property uses. We are the custodians of building records in the City of Medford. We remain forever vigilant in the safety and welfare of all inhabitants of the City of Medford.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Building Code states that “it shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, remove or demolish a building or structure; or to change the use or occupancy or a building or structure; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by 780 CMR (State Building Code) without first filing a written application with the building official and obtaining the required permit therefore.”
Yes, the State Building Code allows the following work to be done without a building permit:
1. One story detached accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.
2. Retaining walls which, in the opinion of the building official, are not a threat to the public safety, health or welfare and which retain less than four feet of unbalanced fill.
3. Ordinary repairs such as any maintenance which does not affect the structure, egress, fire protection systems, fire ratings, energy conversation provisions, plumbing, sanitary, gas, electrical or other utilities. A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs.
The building official has thirty (30) days to review and take action on a building permit application. However, in most cases the permit review can be completed in a relatively quick manner, depending on the scope of work of the project. New buildings, and major projects such as those subject to site plan review, will be reviewed at weekly development meetings which occur on every Tuesday. These projects require sign-offs from several departments before a building permit will be issued.
You should contact the inspector that issued the permit during the scheduled office hours, which are as follows:
– Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m.
– Wednesday from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 3:00-7:30 p.m.
– Friday from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Only the owner of a single or two family dwelling may obtain a homeowner’s permit, and he/she must reside in the structure where the work is being performed. A person who constructs more than one home in a two year period shall not be considered a home owner.
No. State law requires anyone performing electrical, plumbing or gas work to be licensed.
No. However, the Zoning Ordinance restricts the height of fences in certain locations. In certain zoning districts the maximum allowable height of a fence is 4 feet in the required front yard setback, which is usually 15 feet back from the front lot line for 1 and 2 family dwellings. The maximum height of a fence beyond the required front yard setback is 6 feet. Before erecting a fence please contact the Building Department at (781)393-2511 to inquire about the regulations for your specific location.
No. The City of Medford cannot recommend or comment on any contractors. We can only suggest you obtain several quotes. Please make sure any contractor you are thinking about hiring has a valid construction supervisor’s license, is registered as a home improvement contractor if your project involves an owner occupied 1-4 family dwelling, and has worker’s compensation insurance.
The State Building Code requires three (3) sets of plans be submitted with building permit applications. The building official is permitted to modify this requirement, depending on the scope of the work.
The Massachusetts State Building Code stipulates that any permit issued shall be deemed abandoned and invalid unless the work authorized by it shall have been commenced within six months after its issuance; however , for cause, and upon written request of the owner, one or more extensions of time, for periods not exceeding six months each, may be granted in writing by the building commissioner. Work under such a permit in the opinion of the building commissioner, must proceed in good faith continuously to completion so far as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
A mortgage plan is only a rough layout of the structure or structures on a lot, and is only prepared for mortgage purposes. In some cases they may be used, but in most cases, when a plot plan is required, you will need to have one prepared by a registered professional land surveyor.
If your house was built recently, or an addition was constructed which required a plot plan, we may have it on file.
No. The engineering department does not survey private property.
Yes. The Massachusetts State Building Code – Section 3109.4 regulates the installation of both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools. A private swimming pool is defined as any structure that contains over 24 inches of water in depth and which is used, or intended to be used, for swimming or recreational bathing in connection with an occupancy in Use Group R-3 or R-4 (one and two family dwellings or structures used as one and two family dwellings, i.e. attached row housing or townhouse condominiums), and which is available only to the family and guests of the householder. This includes in-ground, above ground and on-ground swimming pools, hot tubs and spas. An electrical permit must also be obtained with the building permit before commencing construction of any pools. No pool shall be filled with water or used in any manner before receiving a final inspection by this office and the electrical department.
Sheds up to 120 square feet in size do not require a building permit, but must be located a minimum of three (3) feet from side and rear lot line, and a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the front lot line, a minimum of ten (10) feet from the principal structure on the same lot, and must be a maximum of fifteen (15) feet in height.
A garage must be located a minimum of three (3) feet from the property lines, a minimum of ten (10) feet from the principal structure on the same lot, and must be a maximum of fifteen (15) feet in height.
To check on licenses for plumbers and gas fitters: Please visit the: MA Division of Professional Licensure website.
