Massachusetts permit review deadlines
How long does it take to get a building permit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts puts its deadline in the state building code. A building official must issue or deny a permit, in writing, within 30 days of filing.
A late permit is not approved automatically. The applicant's remedy is a complaint or an appeal to the state Building Code Appeals Board.
See the deadlines ↓Current Massachusetts state-level guidelines
The short answer
Under 780 CMR 105.3.1, a Massachusetts building official must examine a permit application and issue or deny the permit in writing within 30 days of filing. A denial must state the reasons. If the official does not act in 30 days, the applicant can file a complaint with the official's appointing authority or the Building Official Certification Committee, or appeal to the Building Code Appeals Board for lack of action. The permit is not deemed approved.
By project type
Massachusetts permit review deadlines.
Massachusetts sets one statewide deadline in the building code.
| Project type | Deadline | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Any building permit | 30 days | To issue or deny in writing. Counted from the filing date. |
Step by step
How Massachusetts's review clock works.
The code does not set a separate completeness period.
The decision must be in writing.
The official must say in writing why the application was rejected.
When the clock runs out
What happens when a Massachusetts official misses the 30 days.
Failure to act in 30 days can lead to a complaint with the appointing authority or the Building Official Certification Committee.
The applicant can take the case to the state Building Code Appeals Board.
Faster permit approvals start with more efficient plan review.
See how your team can spend less time chasing comments, waiting on other disciplines, and tracking down the status of a review, without changing your permitting system or CDP.
City by city
How Massachusetts cities handle review times.
Boston adds a faster promise for one kind of project.
Boston
Boston promises a seven-day turnaround for office renovation permits that come in with complete paperwork and an engineer's sign-off. The promise does not cover homes or retail, and there is no penalty if the city misses it.
Read the source →City details come from each city's public pages as of November 12, 2026. Cities change their targets and processes often, so check the linked source for the current version.
Common questions
Massachusetts building permit deadlines, answered.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Massachusetts?
The state building code gives the building official 30 days from filing to issue or deny the permit. Many simple permits are faster.
Is a permit approved if the 30 days pass?
No. Massachusetts does not treat a late permit as approved. The applicant can file a complaint or appeal to the Building Code Appeals Board.
Where is the 30-day rule written?
In the Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR, section 105.3.1. The section was last amended effective October 11, 2024.
How do Massachusetts building departments keep up with these deadlines?
Three habits show up in the departments that hit the clock. They check applications for missing items in the first few days. They let building, fire, planning, and engineering review the same plans at the same time. And they track the days left on every review, so a manager can step in before a deadline passes.
Read it for yourself
Sources.
City pages
Keep exploring
Deadlines in other states.
If you review plans in Massachusetts
Working under Massachusetts's review clock? See how e-PlanSoft can help you hit it consistently.
Meeting a review deadline starts with a good intake process, disciplines that work together, and a clear view of every review in progress.
Book a demoSee how collaborative review works →This page summarizes public laws, rules, and city review practices in Massachusetts as of November 12, 2026. Deadlines vary by location and permit type. These summaries are for reference, not legal advice. Check the linked sources and local requirements for the rules that apply to your project.