Worcester Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Worcester’s Building and Zoning Division is part of the Department of Inspectional Services. It issues permits for new construction, repairs, additions, alterations, demolition, and changes in use, and it performs related plumbing, gas, electrical, and sheet-metal inspections.

Apply for a Worcester building permit

Create an account in the city’s OpenGov Permit/License Center, select the appropriate Building and Zoning permit type, upload the required documents, and pay the invoice. Submitting an application is not permission to begin work; construction may start only after the application is approved, payment is made, and a valid permit is issued. Depending on the project, separate Fire, Public Works, Conservation, Historical Commission, or Planning Board review may also be required.

Worcester permit search and inspections

Use the city’s permit-history search to look up building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, and temporary permits by property or responsible party. The Building and Zoning Division also conducts periodic inspections of multifamily buildings and other regulated occupancies. Keep the permit record available and confirm required inspection stages with the department.

Zoning and certificates of occupancy

Worcester’s zoning ordinance and map control land-use and dimensional requirements. Projects involving a new use, change of use, or zoning relief may need additional review by the Zoning Board of Appeals or another city board. A certificate of occupancy or use is issued after the applicable permit work and final inspection requirements are satisfied.