PlainPermit

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Do I need a permit for a shed in Boston, MA?

Last verified: · Confidence: medium · Status: Verified from official source

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.
Depends on your project Confidence: medium

No building permit for a shed under 200 sq ft, but Boston requires a Use of Premises permit for sheds.

What changes the answer

Note: Source is an older City of Boston table for owner-occupied 1- to 4-family homes.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see Boston Inspectional Services. Unverified, confirm locally

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

Where to apply

City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (online permitting portal)

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.

Official sources

“Shed construction yes √ Floor area less than 200 square feet.”

Source: https://www.cityofboston.gov/Images_Documents/table-of-work-requiring-hic-or-csl_tcm3-34280.pdf

“You need a Use of Premises Permit if you want to make additions to your land, including: ... sheds and pools”

Source: https://www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services/how-get-use-premises-permit

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: medium

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Other projects in Boston

Shed permits in other cities