Building permits in Worcester, Massachusetts
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Worcester, 5 need a permit outright and 4 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources- Project types verified
- 10
- in Worcester
City of Worcester Department of Inspectional Services, Building and Zoning Division
- 25 Meade Street, Worcester, MA 01610
- Phone: 508-799-1198
- Email: inspections@worcesterma.gov
- Official permit page
- Permit portal
- Official fee schedule
Look up a permit in Worcester
Worcester runs an online permit portal. Many local portals let you check application status, search permit records, and view inspection results without calling the office.
What needs a permit in Worcester
Of the 9 common home projects we have verified in Worcester, 5 need a permit outright and 4 depend on size or scope. Click any project for the full rule, fee, and how to apply.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | deck area, where the deck is also no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to the dwelling, and does not serve a required exit door | No deck line item. |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat fees by job type under Electrical - Residential: "Single Family Detached Home (w/... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fence height | The Schedule of Fees has no fence line item. |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | "Mechanical Permits, Residential (up to 3 dwelling units): First Fixture $100.00, Each... |
| Patio Permit | Not confirmed | Not specified | Not published |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential (up to 3 dwelling units): "Plumbing, First fixture +$15.00 each additional... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | pool depth, for prefabricated swimming pools | The building permit side has no pool line item and is priced by the general formula:... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as a Repair/Replace building permit and priced by the general formula: "All... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a one-story detached storage shed | No shed line item. |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Two permits, two fees. |
Planning a project in Worcester?
Hire it out
Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
Planning several things at once? Check your whole project