Building Department:
If you are doing construction, repairs, or alterations on the business building, you must contact the Building Department to determine what permits and plans are necessary.
Before you get started, plan a visit to the Building Department at City Hall. This department will help you determine whether you need any special permits and verify zoning for business uses. Knowing these factors before you begin will help you plan and budget accordingly to make opening your business as quick and efficient as possible.
The Building Department hosts office hours Monday through Friday to help assist you better.
If the Building Department requires a building permit, the applicant will need to have a licensed construction supervisor, registered architect, or professional engineer submit an application along with appropriate construction documents to the Building Department. For more information on how to do this, please visit the Building Department’s webpage or in person at the Building Department, Room 115A, Medford City Hall.
The Massachusetts State Building Code requires construction documents to contain sufficient detail to confirm compliance with the building code, zoning ordinance, and all applicable life safety codes. The building official reviewing the application has the discretion to require more specific documentation for projects of a more complex nature, and to modify the requirements for document submission for work that is of a minor nature. The building official has 30 days to review and take action on a building permit application.
New buildings and major projects, such as those subject to site plan review, will be reviewed at weekly development meetings. These projects require sign-off from several departments before a building permit is issued.
Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability
A site plan review is a special permit process to review potential adverse impacts of major development. The Building Department will determine which projects require site plan review once a building permit application has been filed. The site plan review is conducted by one of three special permit authorities: the Medford City Council, Board of Appeals, and the Community Development Board. The Building Department will determine whether a project requires a site plan review and if so, which entity is the special permit grant authority.
Applications for Site Plan Review are granted after meeting with the Senior Planner. For more information, visit the Community Development Board page here.
Board of Health
Businesses may also require permits from the Board of Health to conduct construction and/or renovations. Most businesses will be required to file permit(s) with the Health Department, like
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Trash, Septic, Offal, Medical Waste,
For a complete list of permits, visit the Health Department page here.
