Building permits in Boston, MA

Short answer: In Boston, permits are issued by City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD); of the 6 common projects we checked, 4 always need a permit, 0 do not, and 2 depend on the details.

Permitting authority: City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD). Applies inside the City of Boston. Massachusetts uses a statewide building code; Boston zoning and Landmarks/historic districts add requirements.

Permit rules in Boston
Project	Answer	Verified
Deck	Permit required Yes. Decks need a building permit, and contractors need Home Improvement Contractor registration and a Construction Supervisor License.	2026-10-19
Fence	Depends on your project No building permit for a fence under 6 ft. Taller fences may need one.	2026-10-19
Interior / bathroom remodel	Permit required Yes. Replacing sinks, toilets, showers or tubs needs a Short-Form permit, plus a Plumbing Permit pulled by a Massachusetts-licensed plumber.	2026-10-19
Roof replacement	Permit required Yes. Roof repair or replacement needs a Short-Form permit. Homeowners can do the work on an owner-occupied 1-2 unit home.	2026-10-19
Shed	Depends on your project No building permit for a shed under 200 sq ft, but Boston requires a Use of Premises permit for sheds.	2026-10-19
Water heater replacement	Permit required Yes. Replacing a water heater needs a Plumbing Permit, and only a contractor with a Massachusetts trade license can apply for it and do the …	2026-10-19

Fee schedule: https://www.boston.gov/permitting/permits/short-form-permits

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Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.