Building Safety in Fall River, MA (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Fall River, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Fall River requires short-term rental operators to submit a Fire Department Certificate of Compliance confirming smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meet state code before the rental can register.
Fall River STR Carbon Monoxide Certificate
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 14-723(D)
Compliance with smoke and carbon monoxide requirements. A copy of the Certificate of Compliance from the Fall River Fire Department, indicating that the property meets all smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements, to include the requirements set forth in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 148, § 26E. E. Annual filing fee. The operator of any short-term rental must pay the annual regi...
Building Permits
Fall River requires a permit before starting most building work, and doubles the standard fee if construction, alteration, or repair begins before the Inspectional Services Division has issued it.
Fall River Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 10-39
Where work for which a permit is required by this article is started without a permit, the fee specified to be paid for such permit in Chapter A110 shall be doubled, but payment of such doubled fee shall not relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of the rules or regulations of the state codes and this chapter in the execution of the work or from any other penalties prescr...
Electrical Permits
Fall River requires an individual permit for most electrical installations, issued only to state-certified electricians through the Inspectional Services Division, though regular employers of licensed electricians can get one annual permit instead.
Fall River Electrical Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 10-176(A)
Required; issuance. Except as provided in this section, no electrical installation shall be made unless authorized by an individual permit as required in this section pursuant to the procedure in Article II of this chapter. B. Fee. Any person desiring an electrical permit shall, at the time of filing an application therefor, pay the fee required by the City as provided in Chapter A110, Fee S...
Plumbing Permits
Fall River requires a City permit for plumbing and gas work under Code § 10-121, with fees of $43 plus $12 per fixture for residential jobs, and higher processing fees for commercial and industrial work.
Fall River Plumbing Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 10-121, Plumbing and Gas Permit Fees (Ch. A110, Fee Schedule)
§ 10-121, Permit fees. The schedule of fees for plumbing and gasfitting permits issued by the City is as set out in Chapter A110, Fee Schedule, of the City Code. Plumbing permit fees (residential): processing fee $43, plus per fixture/appurtenance $12. (Commercial): processing fee $72, plus per fixture/appurtenance $14. (Industrial): processing fee $86, plus per fixture/appurtenance $17.
Building Inspections
Fall River requires anyone finishing permitted work to notify the Inspectional Services Division, which must inspect within 24 hours, and nothing may be concealed from view until that inspection is approved.
Fall River Building Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 10-191
Upon the completion of the work authorized by any permit issued under the provisions of Article II of this chapter, except an annual permit, it shall be the duty of the person performing the work to so notify the Inspectional Services Division on inspection cards provided by it for that purpose. The Inspectional Services Division shall inspect, or cause to be inspected, the installation within ...
Looking for Bristol County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fall River city rules.
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