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

Andover Building Department: Contact & Office Hours

The Building Division enforces applicable Massachusetts building regulations, the Andover Zoning Bylaw, and relevant local requirements. Its responsibilities include permitting and inspections for residential, commercial, and other regulated construction.

Office hours are from the town’s Building Division page. Published departmental directories contain some different counter hours; call before making a special trip. Andover and North Andover operate separate building departments.

How to Apply for a Building Permit in Andover

Andover provides electronic permitting for building and related construction work. The town’s main Building Division page links to OpenGov, while an older Online Permit Center page still references ViewPermit. To avoid using the wrong application system, begin with the current link on the official Building Division page.

1. Open the official Building Division website. Visit andoverma.gov/150/Building and select Apply for a Permit under Quick Links.
2. Register or sign in. Follow the account instructions on the permitting portal. Choose the appropriate applicant category, such as property owner or licensed contractor.
3. Select your permit type. Choose the applicable building, addition, alteration, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, gas, or other available application. Confirm that your applicant account is eligible for that permit.
4. Enter property and project information. Provide the Andover property address, applicant details, contractor information, work description, and estimated construction cost.
5. Upload supporting documents. Attach the plans, plot plan, contractor credentials, insurance information, and other documents required for your project.
6. Submit and pay the applicable fee. Review the application, complete electronic submission, and follow the portal’s payment instructions. Save your permit or application reference number.
7. Respond to review comments. The Building Division or another reviewing department may request revised plans, additional documentation, or separate approvals.
8. Obtain the issued permit and building card. Do not begin regulated construction until the necessary permit has been issued and the town’s physical permit-card requirements have been satisfied.

Residents needing assistance with online filing can contact the Building Division. The town also identifies public permitting computer terminals at the lower-level customer counter in the Town Office Building, with access listed for weekdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

What Building Permits Are Available?

Andover issues permits for construction and regulated alterations. The correct application depends on the proposed work and the state and local requirements.

Before buying materials: For decks, fences, sheds, pools, and accessory structures, verify both the building-permit requirement and zoning restrictions. A project exempt from a building permit is not automatically exempt from setbacks, conservation review, or other applicable rules.

Documents Needed for a Building Permit

Andover’s official building-permit instructions and checklist identify the following common submission requirements. Not all items apply to every project.

• Project application: Property location, owner and applicant information, description of construction, and estimated value.
• Certified plot plan: Typically required for new buildings, additions, decks, sheds, pools, and similar exterior structures. It should show proposed construction and distances to property boundaries.
• Construction drawings: Relevant floor plans, foundations, framing, structural details, dimensions, elevations, and energy information.
• Contractor documentation: Applicable Construction Supervisor License (CSL), Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, and signed contract.
• Insurance documentation: Required workers’ compensation affidavit and applicable certificates of insurance.
• Homeowner affidavit: Required when an eligible owner applies using the homeowner exemption.
• Energy documentation: Applicable energy-code compliance materials, HERS documentation, or other project-specific energy reports.
• Other approvals: Fire Prevention, Health, Conservation, Planning, Zoning, or historic-district authorization when the project triggers those reviews.

Useful official documents: Building Permit Checklist (PDF), Building Permit Procedures (PDF), and All Building Forms & Checklists.

Andover Building Permit Fees in 2026

The town’s published building fee schedule, effective January 2, 2024 and linked from its Building Division resources, provides the following amounts. The fee for a particular application depends on the permit category and construction value.

For example, applying the published addition/alteration formula to $10,000 of construction value gives a basic calculation of $155 ($25 + $130), before any project-specific adjustments or additional fees. The portal or Building Division determines the actual charge. New-building fees have a separate foundation and structural-permit process.

Electrical, plumbing, and gas permits have their own schedules. Andover’s checklist also states that permit fees are nonrefundable.

Official Building Permit Fee Schedule (PDF) | Plumbing & Gas Fee Schedule (PDF)

How to Schedule Building Inspections

Once the permit is issued, required inspections must be completed at the appropriate construction stages. Andover’s official inspection guidance allows requests through its permitting system or by contacting the Building Division at 978-623-8620.

1. Identify the inspection stage. Check the approved plans and permit conditions to determine whether you need a foundation, rough framing, insulation, trade, or final inspection.
2. Request an appointment. Use the inspection-request option associated with your permit or call the Building Division to confirm the current scheduling process.
3. Allow sufficient notice. The town’s published inspection checklist requests at least 24 hours’ notice; confirm available appointments before scheduling workers or deliveries.
4. Prepare the site. Keep the approved plans and printed permit card accessible. Do not conceal work that requires inspection.
5. Complete required corrections. If the inspection fails, address the inspector’s findings and arrange a reinspection before moving forward.

Common Inspection Stages

The actual sequence can differ for commercial buildings, renovations, pools, and specialized projects. Work should not advance past a mandatory inspection point without the required approval.

Applicable Building Codes & Local Rules

In 2026, Andover applies the Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, Tenth Edition, together with relevant state amendments, accessibility requirements, zoning provisions, and applicable local regulations.

The Tenth Edition became the sole applicable statewide building-code edition after the transition period ended June 30, 2025. It is based on modified 2021 International Codes, including the IBC, IRC, and other model codes.

Important Andover Energy-Code Change

Andover also enforces local zoning requirements, including property setbacks, lot coverage, and historic-preservation provisions. Building-code compliance alone does not establish zoning approval.

Official references: Massachusetts 780 CMR Tenth Edition | Andover Building Energy Codes | Andover Zoning Setbacks (PDF).

Local Requirements That Can Delay Permit Approval

Some Andover construction projects require approvals beyond the Building Division. Check these issues before submitting plans or committing to a start date.

• Wetlands: Work near regulated wetland resource areas may require Conservation review, even for otherwise straightforward exterior improvements.
• Septic or Sewer: Building additions, new homes, and projects affecting wastewater capacity may require Health Division review or Title 5 compliance.
• Historic Properties: Properties subject to the Ballardvale Historic District rules or preservation/demolition provisions may require separate review before building or demolition permits can be issued.
• Fire Safety: New construction, bedroom additions, and applicable commercial work may require Fire Prevention review.
• Zoning: Property-specific setbacks, dimensional limits, special permits, variances, and nonconforming structures can affect proposed construction.
• Accessory Dwelling Units: Massachusetts rules generally allow qualifying ADUs up to the smaller of 900 square feet or half the principal dwelling’s gross floor area, subject to applicable requirements. Andover has published additional ADU site-plan procedures.

For accessory dwelling unit projects, review the Andover ADU Site Plan Procedures (PDF) before preparing plans.

How to Check an Existing Permit or Request Records

If you are checking the permit history of an Andover property, start with the town’s official permitting system. The town’s published lookup instructions describe searching by property address and reviewing records marked active or complete.

1. Open the official Building Division page and follow the current permit-system link.
2. Locate the permit or records search feature and enter the property address.
3. Review the available permits, record numbers, statuses, and inspection information.
4. If older records are not shown, contact the Building Division or submit a public-records request.

Closing an Open Building Permit

Andover states that building permits generally require the necessary final inspection before administrative closure. Its published guidance also addresses permits that have become invalid or expired after prolonged inactivity.

For requests to review an open permit for potential closure, the town instructs the current property owner or permit holder to:

1. Open the official Andover service-request portal.
2. Enter the property address in the Issue Location field.
3. Select Public Records Request, then Building, in the issue-type selection.
4. Include contact information, relationship to the property, and relevant permit numbers.
5. Wait for the department’s review and follow the instructions provided for any required inspection or documentation.

The town specifically restricts this open-permit closure-review request to current property owners or permit holders. A prospective buyer or real estate agent should ask the department about the appropriate public-records procedure rather than assuming they can request closure.

Official Open Permit Information Sheet (PDF)

Official Andover Building Department Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Information checked: October 8, 2026. Primary references include Town of Andover government pages and published permit documents, plus Massachusetts state building-code resources. Older municipal PDF instructions have been identified where relevant.