Obtaining a Building Permit
Certificate of Occupancy
What Do I Do When the Work is Complete?
When you have completed your project, you will need a Certificate of Occupancy if:
- the building or structure is new
- the use of an existing building or structure has been changed, floor reconfigured, egress effected or capacity
- the owner of the building or structure requests a Certificate of Occupancy
- no Certificate of Occupancy was issued prior to the start of the work
- whenever a Long Form Permit has been issued
If you need a Certificate of Occupancy when the work is completed you should follow these procedures:
- bring the signed Yellow Building Permit Card with inspectors' signatures to Boston Inspectional Services, 5th
floor, Counter 1.
Note: The signatures on this card indicate the final inspection approval for all required inspections and a typed final cost breakdown. The typed break down details by category of expenditure, the actual cost of construction of the project. A customer service representative will reconcile the cost breakdown with the initial stated cost of construction and charge an additional fee, if appropriate. At the same time, you should obtain a copy of the last long form from the building jacket. A customer service representative will refer you to Counter #3.
- fill out an application for Certificate of Occupancy and pay the fee
- the inspectors assigned to your project will conduct an inspection of the structure to ensure that the work has
been completed in accordance with the appropriate codes
- if sprinkler or fire alarm work has been done Boston Inspectional Services will request test reports for life safety equipment from the Boston Fire Department
- if the estimated cost of the project was $950,000.00 or more, affidavits must be submitted from the architect,
engineer and builder
- if no complications arise you may pick up your Certificate of Occupancy within 3 days or it will be mailed to you within 3 weeks
©2008 The City of Boston