Building Department

Responsibilities

The Building Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of buildings in Peabody.

These responsibilities include:

  • Supervision and enforcement of all provisions of the Massachusetts State Building Code and any other State statutes.
  • Supervision and enforcement of all provisions of the City of Peabody Zoning Ordinance 2013 and as amended.
  • Receipt and processing of permit applications and inspection of the premises for which permits have been issued and enforce compliance with the provisions of the applicable code.

Who Needs to Contact this Office?

EVERY BUSINESS will need to contact this office when locating to or expanding in Peabody. Here is the general process:

  1. Contact the Building Department and speak with a Building Inspector to obtain a Building Permit (single family/owner occupied home offices are excluded). The minimum fee is $100 for Commercial ($50 for Residential).
  2. Present the scope of work to the Inspector to determine whether a set of professionally drawn plans and a Construction Control Document are required before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
  3. After any construction has been completed, schedule a site visit with an Inspector to determine that business space is safe and meets proper Building Code.
  4. Upon meeting all Building Code requirements (Health and Fire Codes if applicable) an Inspector will issue a Certificate of Occupancy. The fee is $125.
  5. At this point you can apply for a Business Certificate with the Building Inspector.*
  6. Present sign off for Business Certificate, issued by a Building Inspector, to the City Clerk’s Office to obtain your certificate. The filing fee is $20.

*The State of Massachusetts (in conformity with the provisions of Chapter one hundred and ten, Section five of the General laws, as amended) requires that every business obtain a certificate to register their DBA (doing business as) name. Home office must be single family/ owner occupied.

Downloads

Downloads

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a building permit required?
Anyone seeking to construct, alter, or demolish a structure or install a sign must first obtain a building permit from a building inspector in the Building Department. The building permit must be obtained before the start of any work and must be prominently posted at the job site.
Who can be issued a building permit?
Building permits are issued to construction supervisors licensed by the State of Massachusetts. The State license is only valid for work involving structures of less than 35,000 cu. Ft. As an exception to this requirement, building permits are also issued to homeowners doing work on one or two unit dwellings where they reside or intend to reside. It is noted that when homeowners are issued building permits, they may be liable for contractors working on their property and they are not eligible for protection under the provisions of the Homeowners Improvement Contractor Law. For these reasons, Building Department encourages homeowners to have the building permit taken out by a properly licensed contractor
What about the issuance of plumbing, gas, or wiring permits?
These permits are issued to Massachusetts licensed plumbers, gasfitters, or electricians. Permits are issued in accordance with Massachusetts General Law (MGLs); MGL 143-3L in the case of wiring permits and MGL 142-13 in the case of plumbing and gas permits.
When must work be started under the building permit?
Work must be started within six (6) months of the date the permit is issued. Once started, the work must be progressed continuously to completion. The City Noise Ordinance does not permit construction activities prior to 7:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays) and after 6:00 p.m. Sunday work is not permitted.
Is there a time limitation on a building permit?
Yes. The permit shall be deemed to have been abandoned six months after the date of filing, unless such application has been diligently prosecuted or a permit shall have been issued; except that the building official shall grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each if there is reasonable cause and upon written request by the owner.
What is the procedure for a Special Permit?
The City Council must formally receive the special permit application at a regularly scheduled meeting prior to a legal ad being published in a newspaper of general circulation. Said legal notice must be published for two consecutive weeks with the first ad being published at least 14 days prior to the public hearing. After the City Council acts on the special permit, a special permit decision is filed in the City Clerk’s office, and there is a 20 day appeal period from the filing date of said decision to the time that an applicant can obtain a building/occupancy permit from the building inspector. It’s at the building inspector’s discretion to issue the same.

Inspectors Office Hours

Please note that permit applications are ONLY accepted during Inspectors Office Hours. Depending on the scope of work, commercial applications should be filled out by contractor or architect and should be accompanied by two sets of plans.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Friday

(City Hall closes at 12:30 p.m.)

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

Inspector Contact Information

Building Commissioner

Albert Talarico

Building Commissioner

Dan Terenzoni

Assistant Building Inspector

Dan Terenzoni

Assistant Building Inspector

Mark Menard

Assistant Building Inspector

Mark Menard

Assistant Building Inspector

Shawn Mahoney

Electrical Inspector

Shawn Mahoney

Electrical Inspector

Paul Foukas

Gas/Plumbing Inspector

Paul Foukas

Gas/Plumbing Inspector

Kelly Rydzewski

Clerk

Let's build your dream.

1 Main St, Peabody, MA 01960

info@peabodybusiness.com

978-999-9999