A new garage in Massachusetts needs a building permit under the state building code, 780 CMR, and has to fit your city or town's zoning. This page is general information, not legal advice. We check the rules for your address before plans are final.
Do I need a permit to build a garage in Massachusetts?
Yes. The Massachusetts residential code says no building may be built or altered without first applying to the building official and getting a permit. The exemption is narrow: one-story detached tool sheds, playhouses and similar uses of no more than 200 square feet. A garage is not a shed, so it needs a permit. Electrical work needs its own permit.
Who issues garage permits around Boston?
The local building office does. In Boston that is the Inspectional Services Department. Cambridge, Somerville, Newton and Quincy also call theirs Inspectional Services, Milton has Inspectional Services, and Brookline and Dedham have a Building Department. Medford, Malden, Watertown and Waltham each issue permits through their own building offices.
How close to my property line can I build a garage?
Your local zoning sets the setback, and it differs by city, town and zoning district. HomeGuide notes that local regulations differ but most cities ask for a detached garage to sit at least 5 to 10 feet from the property line. On older Boston lots, the existing garage often sits closer than today's rules allow, which matters if you plan to rebuild. Some lots need a plot plan by a surveyor to show where the line is.
How tall can a detached garage be?
Zoning sets the height limit for accessory buildings, and it is often lower than for the house. A room or loft above the garage can push past it. We check the height limit for your district before choosing a roof pitch, because a steeper roof that sheds snow well also adds height.
How big can a garage be on my lot?
How big a garage can be depends on your district's rules on lot coverage, open space and sometimes floor area. Dense Boston, Somerville and Cambridge lots are often already near the limit with the house alone. We work out the square feet you have left before any design is drawn.
Can a condo association or HOA stop me from building a garage?
Yes, if your home is a condo. Classic HOAs are rare in Boston's older neighborhoods, but many two-families and triple-deckers have been turned into condos, and the master deed and bylaws usually control the yard and any new building on it. Get the association's written approval before applying for a permit.
Do I need historic district approval to build a garage?
You may. Boston has landmark and architectural districts where exterior changes visible from the street need commission approval, and Cambridge, Brookline and other towns have local historic districts of their own. Some towns also review the demolition of older buildings before a permit is issued. Check before you design, since the review can shape the roof, siding and doors.
What happens if I build a garage without a permit?
A garage built without a permit can bring a stop-work order and fines, and you may have to open walls for inspection, change the work or take it down. It can also cause trouble when you sell, since buyers and lenders check permit records. Insurers may question a claim on unpermitted work.
How long does it take to get a garage permit?
Under the Massachusetts residential code, the building official must issue or deny a permit in writing within 30 days of filing. That clock does not cover zoning relief, historic review or condo approval, which follow the schedules of those boards. A permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days of issue, unless it is extended.
Who has to supervise a garage job in Massachusetts?
A licensed construction supervisor or a registered design professional must oversee the work on one and two-family homes and their accessory buildings, by the state's construction supervisor rules. A homeowner can pull the permit under the homeowner exemption, but then acts as the supervisor. See our page on choosing a garage builder for how to check a licence.
Do I need to call Dig Safe before digging a garage foundation?
Yes. Massachusetts law requires notice to Dig Safe at least 72 hours before digging, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, and no more than 30 days ahead. The dig area is premarked in white first.
Do I need a permit to tear down my old garage?
Usually yes. Demolition is work the building office regulates, and utilities to the old garage must be cut off safely first. In some towns older buildings get a demolition review before the permit is issued. We confirm what your town asks for.
Want a number for your own lot? We visit, measure and put the scope and price in a written quote. Call or text (617) 326-7524.