Everett, MA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

The final stage of a new building in Everett is the certificate of occupancy. Zoning Section 10 makes it unlawful to use any part of a building or structure hereafter erected until the Inspector of Buildings issues the certificate, showing that the proposed use and construction are in accordance with the ordinance. The same section bars the Inspector from issuing a permit for excavation or construction until he is satisfied that the plans and intended use conform to the ordinance, when required in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. It also says no application for a certificate of occupancy relating to manufacturing or processing anything containing animal, poultry or vegetable matter is received unless it contains the written approval of the Board of Health.

The process starts earlier. Zoning Section 9 requires an application to be filed with the Inspector of Buildings before proceeding with any work of the kind specified in Section 3, with plans in duplicate drawn to scale in ink or blueprint, giving dimensions, radii and angles of the lot, the heights, dimensions and locations of all buildings, existing and intended uses, and the number of families to be housed. A copy of the approved plans is returned to the applicant with the permit.

Section 4-1 of the Revised Ordinances prices the inspection steps. A certificate of occupancy costs $50.00 for a single-family, $75.00 for a two-family, $100.00 for a three-family, and $40.00 per 1,000 square feet for all others. A re-inspection costs $40.00 per inspection, and a plumbing re-inspection permit is $40.00 per fixture, per visit. Three-family homes are to be inspected every five (5) years at $75.00, as modified and amended by Section 106.5 of the Massachusetts State Building Code.

Rental turnover has its own inspection. Under Section 10-27 an owner must request a legal use of status from the Building Department before renting a vacant dwelling unit, with a $25.00 application fee. Section 10-28 gives the Everett Health Department ten (10) business days to respond; if no inspection is made in that time, the owner can rent the apartment.