Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Building Department - FAQs
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Building Department - FAQs
A residential building permit is usually required for home renovations, repairs, and additions.
(Excluding painting, putting up wallpaper and removing or changing interior floor coverings)
Do I need a permit for painting or wallpaper?
No. These activities, as well as minor repairs such as replacing a few shingles on your house, are considered “ordinary repairs” by the state building code and do not require a permit. The code defines ordinary repairs as “Any maintenance which does not affect the structure, egress, fire protection systems, fire ratings, energy conservation provisions, plumbing, sanitary, gas electrical or other utilities.”
Is a permit required to replace windows in my home?
Yes. Window replacement is an energy conservation matter covered in the state building code.
Do I need a permit to put up a fence? What is the Town of Tewksbury regulations concerning fences?
The town does not have its own fence regulations. Tewksbury defers to the state laws on fencing. A permit is not required to put up a fence up to 7 feet in height. However, if the property is located on a corner lot, the corner clearance regulations in the Tewksbury zoning by-law must be followed.
Please refer to Sections: 5.3.1. D and 5.3.1. E.5 of the Town of Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw
HOMEOWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTALLING THE FENCE ON THIER PROPERTY. Property lines can be determined by a Certified plot plan.
Do I need a permit to put a shed in my yard?
Possibly. If the shed is over 200 sf A building permit and a plot plan is required . If the shed is 200 sf or less a building permit is not required. The shed must be under 20' high, it must be at least 10' from side and rear lot lines, 25' from all streets and behind the front set back of the existing house. It is the homeowners responsibility to know where their lot lines are located.
Please refer to Section 5.3.1 E Accessory Structures of the Town of Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw
Please contact the Conservation Department before commencing any site work including, but not limited to, grading, filling, or otherwise altering the land.
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Building Department - FAQs
To apply for a Building Permit Click this link:
https://tewksburyma.viewpointcloud.com/
The Building Department can be reached at 978-640-4430.
A computer is available in the lobby for permits to be applied, if needed.
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Building Department - FAQs
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Building Department - FAQs
Possibly. You must Complete a Homeowners Affidavit, and you must meet the definition of a homeowner.
The owner of a one or two family dwelling is allowed to secure their own building permit, in lieu of a licensed general contractor. In essence, the homeowner becomes the general contractor and is responsible for all related work performed at the property, up to and including ensuring full compliance with all provisions covered under the Massachusetts State Building Code. All contractors hired by the homeowner are considered sub-contractors and should have the proper insurance otherwise the homeowner may be liable for any injuries incurred on the property through their homeowner's insurance. The homeowner is not allowed to secure permits for electrical work and plumbing/gas work; these permits must be secured by the respective licensed contractor.
Important Note: Owners not using registered contractors or obtaining their own permits cannot receive payment from the Massachusetts guaranty fund as outlined in the Home Improvement Contractor registration program.
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Building Department - FAQs
No. It is required that a Massachusetts Licensed Plumber or Gas Fitter applies for permits and to perform plumbing and gas fitting work.
No. It is required that a Massachusetts Licensed Electrician applies for electrical permits and performs all the work. Permits are required for all wiring jobs, whether big or small.
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Building Department - FAQs
A BUILDING PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY POOL THAT HOLDS 24" OR MORE OF WATER. This includes “portable”, "temporary" and “inflatable”
The following information must accompany the completed building permit application:
A certified plot plan, to scale, showing the location of the proposed swimming pool, accessory structures (i.e. cabanas, pool shed, etc.) and, if applicable, the location of septic tanks, cesspool and leaching fields. Swimming pools are required to be setback a minimum of ten feet from both side and rear property lines. The swimming pool is also required to be located behind the rearmost point of the dwelling and no closer than ten feet from another building on the same lot (i.e. dwelling, garage, cabana, shed, etc.). It is also required that the location of the fence that will be used to enclose the swimming pool be located on the plot plan as well.
Specifications / plans, to scale, of the swimming pool. These specifications/plans will show, among other things, size, depth, material used to construct pool, diving board location, if applicable, and technical/structural information. With respects to in-ground pools, the plans are stamped by an engineer certifying code compliance. Specifications for aboveground pools are usually found in the pool manufacturer's brochure. If not, the company selling and/or installing the pool should be able to provide this information for you.
Building Permit Application must be approved / signed-off by the Conservation Agent. Please note: if the swimming pool is located within wetland boundaries then approval by the Conservation Commission will be required prior to the building permit process moving forward.
The Massachusetts State Building Code has very specific requirements for Swimming bool barrier & enclosure. For more info-please refer to FAQ: What are the swimming pool barrier & enclosure requirements?
Licensed electrician must apply for wiring permit prior to building permit being issued.
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Building Department - FAQs
A plot plan is a plan of the survey done of the property which shows the location of the principal structure(s) and accessory structures. The survey is prepared by a state licensed land surveyor. The building department MAY have a plot plan, only if submitted with a past building permit. Property files viewed in the Building Department during regular business hours.
It is the homeowner's responsibility to hire a surveyor if a plot plan is needed.
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Building Department - FAQs
The following is for guidance only, as may not cover all scenarios or situations.
A BUILDING PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY POOL THAT HAS WATER DEPTHS GREATER THAN 24"
The barrier provisions contained within Section 305 of the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code apply to indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs with water depths greater than 24”. This includes “portable”, "temporary" and “inflatable” swimming pools.
Required pool barriers or fences must be at least 48” high and constructed to prevent climbing by children. Access gates must be self-closing and self-latching, swinging away from the pool with hardware arranged so that the gate cannot be opened from the side opposite the pool.
For above ground pools, the wall of the pool may serve as the barrier, provided it meets the 48 inch height requirement and access to the pool is via a “closable, lockable ladder” A removable ladder is NOT acceptable unless it is closable and lockable.
In addition to outside walls or fences as barriers any doors or windows from the dwelling (where the walls of the dwelling are used as a portion of the pool enclosure) with direct access to the pool area must be equipped with alarms that are listed and labeled as a water hazard entrance alarm in accordance with UL 2017. The alarm must be audible in all portions of the home and activated
when the door is opened. -
Building Department - FAQs
See section 5.3 of the Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw:
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Building Department - FAQs
- How can I view open permits for a specific property?
You can search for permit records by property address via the Tewksbury Town Website. Visit https://www.tewksbury-ma.gov and click on Departments, then Building and Click on LINK https://tewksburyma.viewpointcloud.com/ in center of the page. Next, click on the “Search” tab found on the top right-hand corner. In the “Locations” search box, search for the address. Once you select the desired address, you can view all associated permits. Open permits are listed as “active” and closed permits are listed as “complete”. Click on the record number for further details.
What does the status ACTIVE, COMPLETE, STOPPED mean?
Active
This Does not guarantee permit is ISSUED OR CURRENT.
ACTIVE shows when an application is still in review (not issued)
ACTIVE shows when a permit is issued
ACTIVE may be expired (but has not been marked as Stopped yet)
Complete
COMPLETE shows when FINAL inspection was completed and Permit is considered COMPLETE/CLOSED
StoppedStopped shows when an application has been rejected (rejected for missing information)
Stopped shows when an permit has been cancelled (by contractor/owner)
Stopped shows when a permit is Expired
Why is a permit still showing as active/open?
There are several inspections that take place during the life of a permit. In order for a permit to be closed out administratively, the project would need to “pass” the FINAL inspection. If there is a permit showing as active/open, it is likely that a final inspection was never performed. It is the duty of the original licensed contractor/permit holder to call the Building Department to request the inspection.
- How can I close out a permit?
- Building Permits: A permit cannot be closed out until a final inspection takes place. However, we cannot inspect under EXPIRED permits. If a permit is EXPIRED, a new permit may be required.
- Plumbing, Gas & Electrical Permits:, in order to be closed out, a final inspection would need to take place. The work to be inspected must be accessible to the inspector. If you cannot get in touch with the original licensed contractor/permit holder but you are insistent on closing out a permit, you would need to hire a new contractor, apply for a new permit, and undergo a final inspection. Please note that under the new permit, the work to be inspected would need to be compliant with current code.
- My permit is showing as active/open but I know that a final inspection was done – now what? If you have proof that a final inspection was done, please provide our department with the necessary documentation. You would need to provide the original permit card showing the required signatures.
We always recommend you come into the office to view property file.