Once your permit is issued and you have begun construction, our inspectors will need to check the progress of the work periodically.
This page will show you how to request an inspection using the Inspectional Services Call Center or the online permitting portal. Your general contractor or person performing the construction work can call 617-635-5300 to speak to one of our representatives.
They will ask that you provide:
- Permit number
- Address
- Name of point of contact (licensed contractor required for electrical and plumbing permits)
- Phone number of point of contact
- Email address (optional)
- Preferred date for inspection
Keep in Mind
Our call takers will intake your request. Within 48 hours, an inspector will reach out to the point of contact to finalize a date for the inspection.
Please keep in mind that most construction work requires at least two inspections (rough inspection at the beginning and a final inspection at the end; more complex projects might require additional inspections).
Use this quick method if you recently worked on the permit.
- Go to the Portal: Open your browser and go to the Boston Permits Login Page.
- Find Your Permit: On your home screen, look at the Recent Activity list. Click on the permit number you need to schedule an inspection for (for example, S1198449).
- Open the Inspections Tab: On the permit details page, click the Inspections tab.
- Choose Your Inspection: Look at the list of available inspections. Next to the one you need, click Request Inspection.
- Fill Out the Required Details: Click the Details box. You must enter the following required information:
- Name of the contact person meeting the inspector
- Phone number of the contact person
- Specific inspection type (if different from the selected option)
- Location details (such as area, suite, or floor numbers, or if it is a partial inspection).
- Submit Request: Click the Submit button.
- Confirm Status: Under the Actions column, you will now see confirmation text (such as "Inspection requested on ").
- Check Your Email: You will receive a confirmation email once the request goes through. Your inspector will call you within 48 hours to set up the exact date and time.
Use this method if your permit does not appear in your recent activity.
- Go to Search: From the portal home screen, click the Search My Permits button.
- Set Your Search Filters:
- Click the Application Type dropdown menu and choose your permit type (e.g., Long Form/Alteration Permit/Change of Occupancy).
- Choose the Application Status (In Progress, Closed, or All).
- Adjust the From and To dates if your permit is over 1 year old.
- Search: Click the blue Search button.
- Select Permit: Locate your permit in the search results and click on the permit number (e.g., ALT1198508).
- Open Inspections: Click on the Inspections tab.
- Request Inspection: Find the inspection type you need (such as Rough, Final, Footing, or Insulation) and click Request Inspection.
- Enter Contact Info: In the Details field, type the contact person's name, phone number, and any relevant project notes (like floor or suite details).
- Submit: Click Submit. Verify that the status updates show your request date.
Keep in Mind
Use this method if your permit does not appear in your recent activity.
What Happens Next?
- Confirmation: Check your email for a confirmation message.
- Inspector Call: A building inspector will contact you by phone within 48 hours to confirm the inspection date.
- Scheduling Additional Permits: If you need to request inspections for other permits, click Portal Home at the top right of the screen and repeat these steps. When finished, you may safely log out of the portal.
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Contact:
Inspectional Services
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1010 Massachusetts Avenue
5th FloorBoston, MA 02118
