Municipal Inspections / Building Department

Responsibilities

The Municipal Inspections Department enforces the:

• Architectural Access Board Regulations
• Beverly Zoning Ordinances
• State Building Code
• State Electrical Code
• State Mechanical Code
• Uniform State Plumbing and Gas Code

This involves plan review, permit issuance, and inspection of all building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical construction in the city, including new structures, additions, alterations, and repairs.

New Construction Inspections

In addition to inspections of new construction, the department is responsible for inspecting and issuing Certificates of Inspection for all existing:

• Educational uses:
  • Colleges
  • Day care centers
  • Schools
• All residential uses other than one and two-family dwellings:
  • Group dwellings
  • Hotels
  • Motels
  • Multi-family dwellings
• Places of assembly:
  • Bleachers
  • Nightclubs
  • Public and semi-public pools
  • Recreational facilities
  • Religious institutes
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Theaters

Architectural Access Board Regulations

The department is also responsible for enforcing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations involving handicapped accessibility to buildings. The Sealer of Weights and Measures reports to the Director. The sealer determines the accuracy of all weights and measuring devices in commercial and public use within the city.

Apply for a Building Permit

We no longer accept paper building permit applications. Please use the Online Permit Center to apply for a permit.

Stretch Energy Code

The City of Beverly has adopted the Stretch Energy Code. All applications for building permits must include the applicable Stretch Energy Code Compliance Checklist, available on our Permit Applications and Forms page.