How long does it take to issue a permit?
One of the main responsibilities of the Inspectional Division is the issuance of permits and the inspection of properties and businesses in accordance with codes and regulations. If the proper documentation has been submitted with the permit application, then permits will be issued in accordance with the department’s goals the majority of the time. These goals, of course, are goals and the size, scope and complexity of some projects will cause the issuance time of a particular permit to exceed the department’s stated goals. Please note if approval or relief from other boards or commissions is required to obtain your permit; Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board etc., such relief or approval must be obtained from the board or commission PRIOR to issuance of a permit. All non- one- & two-family permits with a construction value greater than $500,000 are subject to third party review.
The department encourages the use of our permitting portal to submit applications and fees to ensure that the most efficient and timely processing of the permit/license can occur.
Permit & License Issuance Timeframe Goals
|
Permit or License Type
|
# Of Days
|
Electrical
|
1 - 5
|
Plumbing & Gas
|
2
|
Building
|
|
|
2 - 3
|
|
2 – 3
|
|
4 - 6
|
|
4 - 7
|
-
Residential additions, renovations involving structural work, or converting non-habitable space into habitable space, detached garages and decks
|
7 - 10
|
|
14 - 21
|
-
New commercial building, large scale residential projects, commercial additions, large scale commercial renovations
|
21 – 30
|
Health
|
|
|
21- 30
|
|
7 – 10
|
|
3 – 5
|
|
3 – 5
|
-
Pet shop, body art, funeral director, offensive trade,
|
4 - 6
|
|
7 - 10
|
|
14 -21
|
Please note that these time frames may vary one way or the other depending on the complexity of the permit/license circumstances. These permit/license issuance goals will not be met if all the information required to process the application has not been submitted at the time the application is submitted. No permits/licenses will be issued if the fee is not paid.