Methuen, MA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

The closing step of zoning review in the Methuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is the certificate of occupancy in § 10.2A(4). No building hereafter erected, altered substantially in its use or extent or relocated can be used or occupied, and no change can be made of the use of any building or parcel of land, unless a certificate signed by the Building Commissioner has been granted to the owner. The certificate is not granted unless the proposed use of the land and building and all accessory uses comply in all respects with the ordinance, and no use can be made of the land or building that the certificate does not authorize.

When the Building Commissioner determines in the course of his or her duties that plans, buildings or premises violate the ordinance, § 10.2B(2) requires a written order to the responsible party to remedy the condition, in addition to the requirements of M.G.L. c. 40A. The order specifies the nature of the violation, the remedy ordered, the time permitted for the work, the penalties and remedies the City can invoke, and the violator's right of appeal. Under § 10.2B(1), enforcement includes notification of noncompliance and a request for legal action through the City Council to the City Solicitor.

Section 10.2B(3) provides that on service of a notice of violation, the certificate of occupancy can be considered null and void, and a new certificate is required for any further use of the building or premises.

Record keeping is part of the process. Under § 10.2B(4) and (5), the Building Commissioner keeps a permanent public record of all matters considered and action taken, and opens an individual permanent file for each permit application by street address. The file holds the application, supporting documents, maps and plans, notations on dates and fees, any Board of Appeal resolution, and the date the permit was issued or denied.

One recurring inspection is printed in § 5.7G for accessory apartments: the permit is renewable yearly, a reinspection is done for every renewal period, and the annual fee for each inspection is $50. Section 5.7H adds a reinspection and the same fee when the dwelling is sold or the occupant changes.