Boston, MA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Commissioner of Inspectional Services
- Legal basis
- M.G.L. c.143 § 3L
- Meter loop fee
- $10 + $5 per loop
- Service fee (>240V)
- $0.75 per ampere
- Annual maintenance permit
- $300/year, logs required
- Temporary install (≤180 days)
- $25 + $20 per 30 days
Summary
Boston requires the Commissioner of Inspectional Services to approve or disapprove every electrical wiring or fixture installation and repair under M.G.L. Chapter 143, Section 3L. Fees scale with meter loops, service amperage, or outlet count, and contractors can instead buy a $300 annual maintenance permit if they keep detailed logs.
(C) Electrical wiring and fixtures, written notice of approval or disapproval of installation or repair of. The fee of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for giving under M.G.L. Chapter 143, Section 3L written notice of his or her approval or disapproval of the installation or repair of electrical wiring or fixtures shall be as follows... The fee of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for receiving an application for a special annual permit to maintain electrical systems shall be $300. Holders of such a maintenance permit shall be required to maintain accurate and up-to-date logs of all work performed, which shall be available for inspection without notice by inspectors during normal business hours.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Current through Ordinance 2025 C. 14, passed 11-5-2025).
Full Breakdown
L. Chapter 143, Section 3L. 25 per ampere at 240 volts or less; work limited to outlets, fixtures, or receptacles costs $20 primary plus $1 per unit installed or replaced, capped at what the service-based formula would produce. 2(BB). Contractors who prefer not to file per-job can instead apply for a special annual permit to maintain electrical systems for $300; holders must keep accurate, up-to-date logs of every job performed and make them available for unannounced inspection during normal business hours. Temporary installations meant to stay in place 180 days or less carry their own schedule: $20 primary plus $50 per 24-hour period for television lighting, or $25 primary plus $20 per 30-day period for everything else.
Violations & Fines
This fee schedule doesn't print a standalone dollar fine; compliance runs through the Commissioner of Inspectional Services' authority to withhold or revoke the written notice of approval required under M.G.L. Chapter 143, Section 3L before work is signed off. Maintenance-permit holders who fail to keep current logs available for unannounced inspection risk losing the $300 annual permit and being pushed back onto the per-job fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston require a permit for electrical wiring work?
What is Boston's electrical permit fee based on?
Can an electrician get one annual permit instead of filing per job?
Are temporary electrical installations covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boston
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Electrical Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle electrical permits.