New Bedford building department

New Bedford’s Department of Inspectional Services (DIS) issues building permits for property in the City of New Bedford. It also issues electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical permits, certificates of inspection, and certificates of occupancy. DIS enforces state building, plumbing, gas, and electrical codes and the city’s zoning ordinance. Its permits cover construction, alteration, repair, demolition, changes of use or occupancy, signs, and outdoor cafés. The department also inspects places of assembly and multi-family dwellings on an annual or biennial cycle, and it runs the city’s Weights and Measures division.

The office is open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plumbing and gas inspectors can be reached at (508) 979-1518, and the wire (electrical) inspectors at (508) 979-1470.

How to apply

The city moved permitting to OpenGov, and DIS’s goal is to keep about 90% of permit filings on the portal. Contractors can submit building, electrical, gas, and plumbing applications online, pay fees, and track their progress there. If you’d rather not file from home, two kiosks in Room 308 at City Hall let you apply in person through the same system. For help with the portal, call the city’s MIS department at (508) 991-6245 during business hours.

DIS strongly encourages a meeting with the department before you apply, as early as possible, so missing items don’t hold up your application. Reviewers check submitted plans against state law and city zoning. Use the city’s zoning map to find out whether your lot is in a residential, commercial, or industrial zone. Every permit must also comply with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board and ADA regulations, which DIS treats as part of the building code it enforces. See also how to apply for a building permit.

Review times

DIS says that most small alterations filed with no missing forms are approved within 30 days. Some are approved in ten days or less. Larger projects and new developments that get a rejection packet need approvals from several boards first. After the permit is issued, you have six months to start work. The department’s Administration division also issues “express” permits.

Required affidavits

DIS posts two affidavits on its OpenGov page.

Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) affidavit. This is a city supplement to the permit application. It explains that M.G.L. Chapter 142A requires work on existing owner-occupied buildings with one to four dwelling units, and on structures next to them, to be done by registered home improvement contractors. If the homeowner hired a corporation or LLC, the company itself must be registered. A contractor applying as the owner’s agent lists the HIC registration number. Otherwise, the form lets you certify that registration isn’t needed because:

• The work is excluded by law
• The job is under $1,000
• The building isn’t owner-occupied
• The owner is getting the permit
• Some other reason applies

Owners who pull their own permit, or who hire unregistered contractors, lose access to the state arbitration program and guaranty fund under Chapter 142A.

Workers’ compensation affidavit. This is the state Department of Industrial Accidents form for builders, contractors, electricians, and plumbers, and it is filed with the city. A homeowner doing all the work personally doesn’t need workers’ comp insurance. A homeowner who later hires outside contractors must file a new affidavit. Employers must attach their policy declaration page.

Inspections

DIS has six local building inspectors, two electrical inspectors, and two plumbing and gas inspectors. They inspect all permits and certificates of inspection, review plans, and investigate complaints. The Administration division handles scheduling requests.

Request inspections from the permit record on the portal. The applicant can add up to 10 guests to a record, such as contractors, subcontractors, or co-owners. Guests can request inspections, pay fees, view issued documents, and comment. Only the main applicant can submit the record or invite guests. One of the department’s stated goals is that inspectors post results in OpenGov within two days of an inspection.

Fees and online payment

The city’s OpenGov guide lists these third-party processing fees for online payments. The city does not keep any of this money.

Payment method	Service fee
Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)	$0.99 per transaction plus 2.99%
Electronic check (ACH)	$2.25 flat per transaction

Driveways and work in the street

Driveway permits are reviewed by DIS first and then go to the Department of Public Infrastructure (DPI). DPI also issues water, sewer, stormwater, trench, and obstruction permits on the same portal. A driveway or sidewalk permit is required for work in the city right-of-way. The work must be done by a city-bonded contractor, and you’ll need your building permit and a site plan. The permit and inspection fee is $150 for driveway work or $50 for sidewalk-only work. The contractor must call 24 hours ahead for a pre-inspection before pouring. Commercial curb cuts also need Traffic Commission approval.

Vacant building registration

Under Chapter 6, Article VIII of the city code, owners must register a vacant building with DIS within 45 days of it becoming vacant. You can now register online. A building counts as vacant if it has no lawful business or residents, or if more than half its exterior windows and doors are broken, boarded, or unsecured. The owner must allow an interior code inspection and pay a $500 inspection fee within 30 days. Boarded buildings must post an owner-contact sign at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Owners must report a sale or new occupancy within seven days. Failing to register or pay costs $300 per offense, and each day counts as a separate offense.

Vacancy length as of November 15	Annual registration fee
Less than 1 year	$500
1 to 2 years	$1,000
2 to 3 years	$2,000
3 years or more	$3,000