Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 1 - Scope and Administration › Part 2 - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT › Section 105 - PERMITS › Subsection 105.2 - Work exempt from permit

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Exemptions from
permit
requirements of
					 this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in
					 any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or
					 ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Permits
shall not be required
					 for the following:
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures
				  used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor
				  area does not exceed 120 square feet (11
				  m2).
2.
				  Fences not over 6 feet (1829 mm) high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet
				  (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the
				  wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA
				  liquids.
5. Water tanks supported
				  directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and
				  the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30
				  inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or
story
below and are not part of an
accessible
				  route
.
7. Painting,
				  papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish
				  work.
8. Temporary motion picture,
				  television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to
				  a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed
				  5,000 gallons (18 925 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
10. Shade cloth structures constructed for
				  nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
11. Swings and other playground equipment
				  accessory to detached one- and two-family
dwellings
.
12. Window
awnings
supported
				  by an
exterior wall
that do not project more than 54 inches
				  (1372 mm) from the
exterior wall
and do not require additional
				  support of Groups R-3 and U occupancies.
13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases,
				  racks, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.
Electrical:
Repairs and maintenance:
Minor repair work,
					 including the replacement of lamps or the connection of
approved
portable electrical equipment to
approved
permanently installed receptacles.
Radio and television transmitting stations:
The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for
					 radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a
					 power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
Temporary testing systems:
A
permit
shall not be required for the installation of any
					 temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment
					 or apparatus.
Gas:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does
				  not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within
				  any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any part that does not
				  alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system
				  containing 10 pounds (5 kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1
				  horsepower (746 W) or less.
Plumbing:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water,
				  soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain
				  pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes
				  necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be
				  considered as new work and a
permit
shall be obtained and
				  inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing
				  of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of
				  water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement
				  or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
105.2.1
Emergency repairs
.Where
				  equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation,
				  the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day
				  to the
building official
.
105.2.2
Repairs
. Application or
				  notice to the
building official
is not required for ordinary
				  repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of
approved
portable electrical equipment to
approved
permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include the
				  cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting
				  of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any
				  required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting
				  the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to,
				  alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer,
				  drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric
				  wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general
				  safety.
105.2.3
Public
				  service agencies .
A
permit
shall not be required for
				  the installation,
alteration
or repair of generation,
				  transmission, distribution or metering or other related equipment that is under
				  the ownership and control of public service agencies by established
				  right