Burlington, Massachusetts Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Burlington Building Department Contact & Office Hours

The Building Department is located at the Town Hall Annex at 25 Center Street. Do not confuse its published department hours with the general Town Hall hours shown elsewhere on the municipal website.

Which Projects Need a Building Permit?

Burlington states that most new construction, renovations and property improvements require a building permit before work begins. Electrical, plumbing, gas and sheet-metal work may also require their own permits and inspections.

How to Apply for a Burlington Building Permit Online

1. Confirm that Burlington is the correct jurisdiction.
   Make sure the property is within the Town of Burlington and identify whether zoning, Planning Board, Conservation, floodplain or other approvals must be completed first.
2. Define the full scope of work.
   List structural work and any electrical, plumbing, gas, sheet-metal or mechanical components so the correct permit categories can be identified.
3. Prepare the plans and supporting documents.
   Gather construction plans, a plot or site plan when required, contractor licensing and insurance information, and any project-specific forms.
4. Open Burlington’s official OpenGov portal.
   Go to burlingtonma.portal.opengov.com. Sign in or create an account if the application workflow requires one.
5. Start the correct building permit application.
   Enter the property, owner, applicant, contractor and project information requested by the portal. Use a clear description of the proposed construction.
6. Upload the required documents.
   Attach the plans, site information, licenses, insurance records and supporting approvals applicable to your project. Incomplete documentation can delay review.
7. Submit and monitor the application.
   Save your application or record number. Check the portal and your email for plan-review comments, missing-document requests, corrections or fee notices.
8. Pay the assessed fees and wait for issuance.
   Do not treat submission as approval. Begin permit-required work only after the permit has been issued and any prerequisite approvals are complete.
9. Schedule inspections during construction.
   Keep approved documents available at the jobsite and arrange each required inspection before regulated work is concealed.

Documents to Prepare Before You Apply

The Town identifies the following items among the information that may be required for a complete building permit application:

• Completed building permit application.
• Construction drawings appropriate to the scope of work.
• Plot plan or site plan when required.
• Contractor license information.
• Contractor insurance information.
• Additional documents requested for the specific project.
• Original stamped and signed plans for buildings or structures over 35,000 cubic feet.

Construction-control documents

Depending on the project, Burlington may require construction-control documentation prepared by a registered architect or engineer. The Town’s published construction-control requirements call for professional construction documents and periodic progress reports where applicable, followed by final construction-control certification at completion.

For projects using LVL or I-joist floor systems, Burlington states that stamped engineering documentation from the manufacturer or a registered design professional must be provided.

Burlington Building Permit Fees in 2026

The following amounts come from the Town’s Building Permit Fees as of August 2026. Project-specific charges can include more than one permit category, so use the table as a planning reference rather than a final invoice.

The Town’s one-page fee schedule does not establish the complete cost of every possible project. Separate trade permits, planning reviews or other approvals can affect the total.

How Building Inspections Work in Burlington

The Building Department performs inspections of permitted construction. The exact inspection sequence depends on the approved work. Do not cover structural, electrical, plumbing or other regulated work until the required inspection has been completed.

1. Confirm your permit has been issued. Keep the permit number and property address available.
2. Check the required inspection stage. Review your approved permit and plans before requesting an appointment.
3. Contact the appropriate inspector or Building Department. Use the contact table below when the Town has not provided a project-specific scheduling method.
4. Make the work accessible. Approved plans and required construction documents should be available for review.
5. Resolve failed items before proceeding. Correct deficiencies and arrange any required reinspection before concealing the affected work.
6. Obtain final approval. Burlington instructs permit holders to obtain final approval before occupying or using completed work where final approval is required.

Inspector contacts

Building Codes Used in Burlington in 2026

For new 2026 building permit applications, Massachusetts’ 10th Edition State Building Code (780 CMR) is the current statewide building-code framework. The transition period allowing the 9th Edition ended June 30, 2025.

The 10th Edition uses Massachusetts-amended versions of the 2021 International Codes, including applicable building, residential, existing-building, mechanical, energy and related provisions.

Burlington uses the Stretch Energy Code

Burlington adopted the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code effective July 1, 2019. The Commonwealth’s 2026 municipal adoption information continues to identify Burlington as a Stretch Code municipality and does not list Burlington among municipalities with an effective Specialized Energy Code adoption.

For current projects, the Massachusetts Stretch framework uses applicable provisions of 225 CMR 22.00 for residential construction and 225 CMR 23.00 for commercial construction. Energy documentation should match the project type and the requirements effective when the permit is filed.

Local Rules That Can Affect Permit Approval

Planning Board approval

Burlington states that projects other than single-family dwellings require Planning Board approval through a Site Plan and/or Special Permit before the Building Department can issue the building permit.

Check zoning use, property setbacks and development requirements before completing expensive construction drawings.

Wetlands and conservation areas

If construction is near wetlands or another regulated conservation area, Burlington directs applicants to contact the Conservation Department before applying for the building permit. Wetlands, stormwater or other conservation approvals can be separate from the building permit.

Floodplain development

Development within a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area can require Burlington’s separate Floodplain Development Permit. The Town’s current form states that the floodplain process is separate from the building permit and is a prerequisite for building-permit application when development is in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

The floodplain application may require maps, an elevation certificate, floodproofing documentation, a no-rise certificate, wetlands approvals or professional certifications depending on the property and proposal. Final floodplain compliance approval may also be required before the development is occupied or used.

Pool and generator setbacks

Burlington’s equipment acknowledgement form requires a certified plot plan showing the proposed location of a pool or generator. The form states minimum setbacks of 15 feet from side and rear property lines and 25 feet from the front property line. Pool equipment such as filters, pumps, cabanas and heaters must also satisfy the stated lot-line requirements.

For pools, Burlington also states that a wiring permit is required for bonding and installation of electrical pool equipment.

How to Search Burlington Permits or Check an Application

Burlington’s official permit system provides access to permit applications and public records. Portal labels can change, but the practical search process is:

1. Open the official Burlington OpenGov portal.
2. Choose the search or public-record option available in the portal.
3. Search by property address, permit/record number or another available field.
4. Select the correct property or record.
5. Review the available record type, status, application information and inspection or document history.
6. For your own active application, sign in to the account used when submitting it to view requests or actions not available publicly.

Common Permit Problems and the Practical Next Step

Official Burlington Permit Resources

• Building Department — department responsibilities, staff, address and office hours.
• Permits & Applications — application requirements, permit exemptions, forms and review guidance.
• OpenGov Permitting Portal — online applications and available permit records.
• August 2026 Building Permit Fee Schedule — published building and trade permit charges.
• Construction Documents — construction-control forms, engineering requirements and final documentation.
• Codes, References & Fees — state building-code resources and license lookups.
• Planning Permit Applications & Forms — zoning tools and Planning Department applications.
• Conservation Applications — wetlands and stormwater forms.
• Massachusetts State Building Code — official 780 CMR resources.

Related Building Permit Guides

For comparison with other permitting authorities and Massachusetts building departments, see:

• Abington Building Department 2026
• Bourne, Massachusetts Building Department 2026
• Boulder County Building Department 2026

Burlington Building Department FAQs