Massachusetts permit guide
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Massachusetts?
Leer en español: esta página también está en español.
Yes. Re-roofing and roof replacement are not among the projects the Massachusetts building code exempts from a permit, and the work is overseen by a licensed construction supervisor who, on an owner-occupied one- to four-family home, must also hold Home Improvement Contractor registration.
The rule that applies to every trade
In Massachusetts, most permits are pulled by the licensed contractor doing the work, not the homeowner. For one- and two-family homes the state building code requires a licensed construction supervisor or a registered design professional to oversee construction, and for existing owner-occupied one- to four-family homes the contractor must also be registered with the Home Improvement Contractor program.
The homeowner exception is narrow. The building code lets an owner-occupant of a one- or two-family home apply for a building permit for work on their own home, but it applies to building permits only: electrical work may only be done by a master or journeyman electrician licensed by the state, and plumbing and gas work only by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, each under a permit issued to that licensee. It also has a cost the state warns about directly: a homeowner who pulls the building permit themselves may not be eligible for the Guaranty Fund if the contractor's work goes wrong.
Sources: When is a Construction Supervisor License required?; Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR; HIC Homeowner Resources; Electricians consumer fact sheet; Plumbers and gas fitters consumer fact sheet.
Roofing in Massachusetts
Re-roofing and roof replacement are not among the projects the Massachusetts building code exempts from a permit, so in your town treat a roof job as permitted work. Because the work touches the building's structure and weather envelope, it is overseen by a licensed construction supervisor, and on an existing owner-occupied one- to four-family home the roofing contractor must also hold Home Improvement Contractor registration. The state's guidance is that the registered contractor applies for the permit, not you.
The building code has specific requirements for roof coverings, underlayment and ice protection that the inspector checks against, and they depend on the roof type and the edition of the code in force. Rather than quote them here, ask your building department what it inspects for on a re-roof; the contractor pulling the permit is expected to know.
Sources: Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR; When is a Construction Supervisor License required?; HIC Homeowner Resources.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in your town?
Yes. Re-roofing is not exempt under the Massachusetts building code, so your town will expect a building permit, pulled by a licensed construction supervisor. On an owner-occupied one- to four-family home the roofer must also hold Home Improvement Contractor registration.
How long is a building permit good for in Massachusetts?
Under 780 CMR 105.5, a permit becomes invalid if the work has not started within 180 days of issue, or if the work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days once begun; the building official can extend it in writing for up to 180 days at a time on a written request made before it expires. An application that is filed but not pursued is treated as abandoned after 180 days, with extensions of up to 90 days at a time.
How long is a building permit good for in Massachusetts?Are building permits public record, and how do I look one up for an address in your town?
Yes, permits are public records. Ask the building department in your town how to search by address, or check the town's online portal if it has one.
Are building permits public record in Massachusetts, and how do I look one up by address?Can a homeowner pull their own permit?
Sometimes, and it is usually a mistake. The state building code lets the owner-occupant of a one- or two-family home apply for a building permit for their own home, but never for electrical, plumbing or gas work, which only the licensee may do under their own permit. Mass.gov also warns that a homeowner who pulls the building permit may lose eligibility for the Guaranty Fund if a registered contractor's work goes wrong. Let the contractor pull it.
Can a homeowner pull their own electrical or plumbing permit in Massachusetts?What happens if work is done without a permit?
The town can order the work stopped, opened up for inspection, corrected, or removed, and unpermitted work surfaces at sale when a buyer's attorney searches the permit history. For electrical work the state's own advice is to hire a licensed electrician to review it, pull a permit for it, and bring it up to code. It is far cheaper to permit it the first time.
Prefer to browse? See Roofing contractors in Massachusetts on Mass Home Comfort.
Related Massachusetts permit guides
- Do you need a permit to replace a furnace, boiler or AC in Massachusetts?
- Do you need a permit to replace windows in Massachusetts?
- Do you need a permit to replace siding in Massachusetts?
- How long is a building permit good for in Massachusetts?
- Can a homeowner pull their own electrical or plumbing permit in Massachusetts?
- Types of permits in Massachusetts: building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical and sheet metal, and who issues each
- Are building permits public record in Massachusetts, and how do I look one up by address?
- What are the pool fence and barrier requirements in Massachusetts?
- Do you need a demolition permit in Massachusetts, and what is a demolition-delay bylaw?
- When do you need a smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection in Massachusetts?
- What is HIC registration, how is it different from a CSL, and how do I look up a Massachusetts contractor?
- Do you need a permit to install a ductless mini split in Massachusetts?
Building departments homeowners look up most
Looking for your town's building department, permit portal and recent filings? Find it on the Massachusetts town pages.