Q: I have a building permit already. Can I perform necessary plumbing work under my building permit?
A: No. You must pull a separate plumbing permit to make renovations, additions, removals or changes of any kind.
Q: I’ve been having a hard time getting in touch with my plumber. Can I come in and pull a plumbing permit as a homeowner, and not a licensed plumber?
A: No. Massachusetts law requires that a licensed plumber pull any and all plumbing permits.
Q: I hired a general contractor to organize my project and set up all contractors, so he has obtained all the permits that are legally required…right?
A: Not necessarily. It’s best to ask your general contractor and/or plumber for copies of all necessary permits in order to ascertain the permits are being pulled. When permits of any kind are obtained from the Building Department, paper copies are always provided.
Q: How are plumbing permit fees calculated?
A: Residential permits:
There is a $40 fee for the permit, which includes one inspection. There is a $30 fee for each additional inspection, plus $10 per fixture. A new bathroom with 5 fixtures, requiring a rough and final inspection, for example, will garner a $120 fee.
B: Commercial permits:
There is a $50 fee for the permit, which includes one inspection. There is a $50 per inspection additional fee, plus $15 per fixture.
Failed inspections are subject to an additional inspection fee, and must be re-inspected.
Q: How much is the fee for a water heater?
A: If it is a gas water heater, both a gas and plumbing permit will be required. The fee is $40 for the gas permit and $40 for the plumbing permit.
Q: My plumber just finished the job. Can I call in the inspection?
A: No. The inspection must be called in by the licensed plumber who performed the work.
Q: I just completed plumbing work at my customer's home. How do I set up an inspection?
A: Call the Building Department. Our plumbing inspections are performed between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 2:00 to 3:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We can usually set up inspections within 24 hours of your request.
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