Building Safety in Medford, MA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Medford, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Childcare Center Rules
In Medford's Mixed Use Zoning District, a child care use is only permitted if an outdoor play area is provided meeting the size requirements of the state's day care licensing standards, 102 CMR 7.00, under § 94-9.1.7(5).
Medford MUZ Child Care Outdoor Play Area Rule
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances § 94-9.1.7
94-9.1.7 Uses. The Table of Uses set forth in section 94-3.2 governs the use of land in a MUZ District. In addition to the requirements of that section the following additional requirements shall apply: ... 5.Use item B.5 (child care, principal or accessory) is permitted in a MUZ District only to the extent that there is provided, on the same lot or on another lot in the same MUZ District or in...
Green Building Code
The City of Medford, Massachusetts requires new and substantially renovated buildings to meet 780 CMR Appendix 120 AA, the Stretch Energy Code, under Medford Revised Ordinances § 10-104. Adopted by the city council in 2010, the code sets a more energy-efficient alternative to the base Massachusetts energy code, and the building commissioner enforces it during permitting.
Medford Adopts Stretch Energy Code
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances § 10-104
Sec. 10-104. - Adopted. The city council adopts 780 CMR Appendix 120 AA to the 7th edition Massachusetts Building Code, known as the Stretch Energy Code. The purpose and intent of which is to provide a more energy efficient alternative to the base energy code for new and existing buildings, and that the building commissioner shall be the enforcing agent for the city and/or take any other action...
Building Permits
A Medford building permit costs $15 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost for new construction, additions, alterations and repairs, plus a separate $35 application fee, under the Appendix A fee schedule tied to Sec. 10-35. Anyone who starts work before pulling that permit pays a quadrupled fee once the building commissioner's office catches the unpermitted work.
Medford Building Permit Fee Requirement
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances § 10-35 (Appendix A, Schedule of Building Fees)
Sec. 10-35. - Building permit and inspection fees. The building permit and inspection fees are included in appendix A of these Revised Ordinances. ... (a) Schedule of Building Fees: 10-35 (1) Permit fees for new building; additions; alterations; and repairs: per $1,000.00 of estimated construction cost . . 15.00 Application fee . . 35.00 ... (10) Work started without a building permit . ....
Electrical Permits
Medford requires anyone installing electrical wiring or fixtures for hire to notify the superintendent of wires before starting, or within five days after finishing, under Sec. 10-66, tied to M.G.L.A. c. 143, § 3L. Skipping that notice draws a $20 fine, and doing electrical work with no application on file triples the normal permit fee under Sec. 10-67.
Medford Electrical Permit and Fine Rules
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances §§ 10-66, 10-67
Sec. 10-66. - Fees. (a)Penalty for violation of article. No person shall install for hire any electrical wiring or fixtures subject to M.G.L.A. c. 143, § 3L, without first, or within five days after completing the work, giving notice to the superintendent of wires. Failure to comply with this section is punishable by a $20.00 fine. ... Sec. 10-67. - Permits not otherwise specified. (a)An additi...
Plumbing Permits
Medford's building commissioner, acting as ex officio inspector of buildings, enforces plumbing regulations under Sec. 10-101, while a separately appointed inspector of plumbing handles plumbing and gas fittings under Sec. 10-102 and M.G.L.A. c. 142, § 11. New residential plumbing work in a building of up to three units costs $125 for the first five fixtures under the Sec. 10-103 fee schedule in Appendix A.
Medford Plumbing Permit and Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances §§ 10-101, 10-102, 10-103
Sec. 10-101. - Enforcement of plumbing regulations. The building commissioner, ex officio the inspector of buildings, shall have the responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations relating to plumbing. ... Sec. 10-102. - Plumbing and gas inspector. An inspector of plumbing shall be appointed in accordance with and subject to the provisions of M.G.L.A. c. 142, § 11. ... Sec. 10-103. - Per...
Building Inspections
Medford charges $75 for a certificate of inspection under Section 108.5.1 of the Massachusetts State Building Code, plus a $50 reinspection fee whenever a job isn't ready or fails, under the Appendix A fee schedule tied to Sec. 10-35. Missing the final inspection call within ten working days after finishing work adds a separate $25 charge.
Medford Building Inspection Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsMedford Revised Ordinances § 10-35 (Appendix A, Schedule of Building Fees)
Sec. 10-35. - Building permit and inspection fees. The building permit and inspection fees are included in appendix A of these Revised Ordinances. ... (a) Schedule of Building Fees: 10-35 ... (5) Certificate of inspection per 108.5.1 of Massachusetts State Building Code ..... 75.00 ... (6) Reinspection fee . ... . 50.00 ... (9) Failure to call for final inspection within ten working days after ...