Beverly Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

The Beverly Building Department, officially the Municipal Inspections Department in Beverly, Massachusetts, handles building permits, plan reviews, construction inspections, and electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical permits. Residents and contractors can apply online, pay permit fees, and track applications through the city’s permitting system.

Beverly Building Department Contact & Office Hours

The department serves properties within the City of Beverly in Essex County, Massachusetts. Use the department’s direct telephone number rather than the general City Hall number for building permit questions.

When Can You Speak With an Inspector?

Beverly publishes separate inspector office hours:

• Monday–Wednesday: 7:30–8:30 AM and 2–3 PM.
• Thursday: 7:30–8:30 AM and 5–6 PM.
• Friday: 7:30–8:30 AM and 10:30–11:30 AM.

These are published office availability periods, not guaranteed construction inspection appointments. Call before visiting, particularly around holidays.

What Permits Does Beverly Issue?

Beverly’s Municipal Inspections Department administers permits for regulated construction and trade work. The permit you need depends on the project’s scope, property classification, and applicable zoning and building-code requirements.

Before starting a project: Ask the department whether separate trade permits, zoning approvals, Conservation Commission review, or Fire Prevention permits are required. One building permit does not automatically authorize every part of a project.

Common Residential Projects

• Decks and additions: Expect building permit review, with plans and plot information as applicable.
• Roofing and siding: Check building permit requirements and contractor credentials before work begins.
• Kitchen or bathroom remodels: Structural changes and plumbing, electrical, or gas work may require separate permits.
• Storage sheds: Beverly’s published FAQ says sheds exceeding 200 square feet require building permits; floodplain requirements can apply regardless of size.
• Swimming pools: Confirm permit, setback, barrier, electrical, and related safety requirements before installation.
• Accessory dwelling units: ADU construction requires a building permit and must satisfy applicable zoning and state requirements.

How to Apply for a Beverly Building Permit Online

The City of Beverly provides an online permitting system for building, electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical applications. Follow these steps to submit a building permit request.

1. Confirm your permit type and property address.

   Identify the proposed work and confirm that the property is within Beverly city limits. For projects involving wetlands, flood zones, historic buildings, or special zoning approvals, check those requirements before submitting.

2. Create an account in the official portal.

   Open beverlyma.portal.opengov.com. Register or sign in, then complete the applicant information requested. The city advises contractors that their license number is their username in its permitting instructions.

3. Choose the correct application.

   Start a new permit application and select the appropriate building or trade permit category. Enter the property details, scope of work, estimated construction valuation, and contractor information when requested.

4. Upload the required documents.

   Attach project plans, specifications, site or plot plans, applicable licensing information, workers’ compensation documentation, and energy-code compliance materials required for your project. The portal and reviewer determine which submissions apply.

5. Submit, pay, and monitor the application.

   Review your entries, submit the application, complete the required payment process, and monitor the portal for review comments or requests for corrections. Do not begin regulated work until the permit is issued.

What Documents Should You Prepare?

Not every project requires the same paperwork. Prepare these items as applicable:

• Complete description of the proposed work and the property address.
• Construction drawings showing existing and proposed conditions.
• Plot or site plan showing building location, lot boundaries, and relevant setbacks.
• Construction Supervisor License and contractor registration information, when required.
• Workers’ compensation insurance affidavit or applicable exemption documentation.
• Energy-code compliance documents and applicable calculations.
• Construction control documents for qualifying projects.
• Relevant zoning, floodplain, historic, conservation, or fire-safety approvals.

Beverly publishes an application requirements PDF, but it contains references to older building-code editions. Treat it as background guidance and rely on current portal requirements and department instructions for 2026 submissions.

Beverly Building Permit Fees in 2026

Beverly publishes a valuation-based building permit fee schedule. Construction valuation is determined by the department and generally includes the value of labor, materials, and associated work—not simply the amount paid out of pocket.

Example: If the department values a building project at $18,500, its fee calculation rounds that valuation upward to $19,000. At $15 per $1,000, the base building permit fee would be $285, before any other applicable charges.

The city also lists a $25 administrative fee for certain paper electrical, plumbing, and gas permits. Separate electrical charges may apply to solar work. Always confirm the total payable amount in your permit application.

Can You Get a Permit Fee Refund?

Beverly generally treats permit fees as nonrefundable. Its published refund policy allows certain partial refunds when no work has started, the payer submits a written request within 90 days of issuance, and the other policy conditions are met. Administrative and review deductions may apply.

Read the official refund policy.

How to Schedule Building Inspections in Beverly

Once your permit is issued and construction begins, the permit holder is responsible for arranging required inspections. Inspection stages depend on the project and the approved permit.

Building, Electrical & Plumbing Inspections

1. Review the inspection record or requirements associated with your permit.
2. Confirm the work is ready for the applicable inspection stage.
3. Call 978-921-6025 for Municipal Inspections scheduling instructions.
4. Provide the permit number, property address, inspection type, and contact information.
5. Keep approved plans and inspection records accessible at the worksite.
6. Review the inspection outcome and complete any required corrections before requesting reinspection or proceeding past a required hold point.

Beverly’s published inspection guidance directs permit holders to arrange inspections through Municipal Inspections. Electrical and plumbing inspection requests must be handled by the applicable licensed tradesperson.

Fire Prevention Inspections

Fire Prevention has a separate scheduling process. Call 978-927-2200 to arrange Fire Prevention inspections.

The Fire Prevention Office states that it can normally arrange inspections with approximately 2–4 business days’ advance notice. This is Fire Prevention guidance, not a guaranteed timeframe for all building inspections.

Fire alarm, sprinkler, and emergency responder communication systems may require additional Fire Prevention approval.

Official Fire Prevention inspection instructions.

What Should Be Ready Before an Inspection?

• The relevant work must be complete and safe to inspect.
• The permit record and approved plans must be available.
• Required work should remain visible until the applicable inspection is completed.
• Inspectors must have access to the construction area.
• Any previous correction items should be addressed.

If an inspection fails, review the correction requirements, complete the necessary work, and arrange reinspection. Applicable reinspection fees may be charged.

Beverly Building Codes & Local Requirements for 2026

Beverly enforces Massachusetts building regulations along with its local zoning and other applicable requirements. Two code developments are particularly important for 2026 projects.

Massachusetts 10th Edition Building Code

The Massachusetts 10th Edition Building Code, 780 CMR, became effective October 11, 2024. The transition period allowing use of the previous edition ended June 30, 2025. New building permit applications in 2026 generally must comply with the 10th Edition and applicable amendments.

The code is based on modified 2021 International Codes and includes residential, commercial, existing-building, and other requirements.

Beverly’s Specialized Energy Code

Beverly’s Specialized Energy Code became effective January 1, 2026. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources adoption records identify Beverly as a Specialized Code community.

This is important for new construction and qualifying projects because applicable energy requirements may go beyond the statewide base energy code. The Specialized Code builds on Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code requirements, with additional provisions for certain projects.

Before submitting a 2026 permit application, confirm which residential or commercial energy compliance pathway applies and include the necessary documentation.

Other Beverly-Specific Reviews

• Zoning: Check land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, and other project-specific restrictions.
• Floodplain and coastal property: Additional flood-hazard documentation, design requirements, and conservation approvals may apply.
• Historic properties: Certain exterior work or demolition may require Historic Districts Commission review or other local procedures.
• Commercial construction: Fire protection, accessibility, construction control, and site plan requirements may apply.
• Fire safety: Certain commercial construction, demolition, and renovation projects require NFPA 241 construction fire-safety documentation.

For qualifying projects, coordinate with Beverly Planning, Conservation, and Fire Prevention early to avoid application delays.

Accessory Dwelling Units, Sheds & Coastal Projects

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Beverly recognizes accessory dwelling units as secondary residential units associated with a principal dwelling. ADU construction requires a building permit, and the design must comply with applicable zoning, building, fire, and energy regulations.

Before applying, verify the permitted configuration, applicable property restrictions, utility arrangements, and current state-law requirements. Beverly’s ADU and zoning provisions should be read together with the current Massachusetts framework.

Small Sheds

According to Beverly’s published municipal FAQ, storage sheds larger than 200 square feet require a building permit. Sheds in floodplains may require additional authorization regardless of size.

The city also publishes location and setback restrictions. For example, its FAQ states that certain small sheds no larger than 100 square feet and 10 feet high may qualify for a five-foot side and rear setback, subject to applicable conditions. Larger sheds can require setbacks comparable to those for houses.

Because zoning and floodplain requirements can change, confirm the applicable standard for your parcel before purchasing or installing a shed.

Coastal and Flood Hazard Areas

Beverly’s coastal location makes flood-hazard review especially relevant. Renovations, substantial alterations, additions, and new construction in designated flood areas may involve additional building-code, elevation, and floodplain requirements.

Start with the property location and applicable flood designation. The city publishes flood-hazard application materials on its permit forms page.

Official Beverly Permit Links & Documents

For work in other Massachusetts municipalities, see our Billerica building permit guide and Attleboro building permit guide. Each local office has its own submission and inspection arrangements.

Beverly Building Department: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Information reviewed: October 9, 2026. This independent informational guide summarizes published City of Beverly and Commonwealth of Massachusetts resources. USBuilding.org is not a government agency. Permit requirements, fees, office schedules, and code interpretations may change; the responsible government authority makes final determinations.