Boston, MA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

12, every qualifying exterior wall and appurtenance must be inspected by a registered professional at least once every five years if the building is occupied, or once a year if it is unoccupied. Buildings substantially improved (repairs costing over 50% of assessed value within 12 months) are exempt for ten years after a new Certificate of Occupancy issues. The registered professional files a written Exterior Wall Inspection Report with the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) Commissioner along with a $200 fee within 30 days of the inspection; the report must document deterioration, unsafe conditions, movement and water tightness, and be signed or sealed by the professional.

' The Commissioner may also require and charge $200 for an independent ISD inspection before issuing the certificate. Inspection procedure rules require review of the prior five years' reports, a physical hands-on inspection (drone or digital imaging may supplement but cannot replace a representative hands-on sample from a scaffold or platform), and immediate email notice to the owner plus written notice to the Commissioner within 12 hours of discovering any unsafe condition. If a report flags an unsafe condition, ISD affixes a violation and the owner must immediately begin repairs and obtain any needed permits. The rule was adopted by Ord. 1995 c. 8 and last amended by Ord. 2022 c. 4 § 1.