What You Need for a Building Permit in Burlington, MA (2026)

Burlington Building Permit Checklist

What Burlington asks for on a new home, addition or major renovation, from the Burlington permit pages. Bring all of it the first time and the review moves faster.

Online building permit application
Construction plans
Plot or site plan when required
Contractor license and insurance information
Stamped engineering for LVL or I-joist floor systems
Construction control documents and debris affidavit depending on scope
Floodplain Development Permit or ADU acknowledgement form if applicable

Construction plan set prepared for a building permit application - building permit energy code requirements in Burlington, MA

Who Can Apply and How

Applications need contractor license and insurance information; changing general contractors requires a new application and fees.

Apply through OpenGov permitting portal. Questions go to the Building Department at 781-270-1615.

Energy Code Compliance in Burlington

Burlington is not on the state's Specialized Code list or the Stretch Code adopter list; the town's codes reference lists the 2021 IECC (the Massachusetts base energy code).

At permit: Under the base code, new homes can show compliance prescriptively (REScheck) or with a HERS rating (the Energy Rating Index path). Many builders still use a HERS rating because it gives more design flexibility and is needed for Mass Save and ENERGY STAR programs.

At final: New homes still need a blower door test (3.0 ACH50 under the Massachusetts code) and duct testing where ducts are outside conditioned space.

Project	Energy document
New home	REScheck/prescriptive, or a HERS rating (Energy Rating Index path)
ADU	REScheck/prescriptive, or a HERS rating
Addition over 1,000 sq ft or over 100% of the home	REScheck/prescriptive, or a HERS rating
Smaller addition or alteration	REScheck or the prescriptive path, if the inspector accepts it
Commercial up to 20,000 sq ft	COMcheck plus a whole-building blower door test

Home Energy Efficiency Consultants prepares the projected HERS report from your plans, usually in about one business day after the quote is accepted, then does the pre-drywall inspection, blower door and duct leakage tests and the confirmed HERS certificate. See our stretch code report for permitting page for what's in the report, EV-ready and solar-ready rules, and when Phius applies.

Sample projected HERS rating certificate for a building permit - building permit energy code requirements in Burlington, MA

Examples of additions and renovations that trigger a HERS rating - building permit energy code requirements in Burlington, MA

Other Approvals You May Need in Burlington

Conservation Department near wetlands or conservation areas
Planning Board site plan and/or special permit for projects other than single-family homes
Historical Commission demolition delay review for homes older than 100 years

Permit Fees and Timing

Fees: Residential building permit: $13 per $1,000, minimum $50 (schedule as of August 2026). New residential construction is valued at $150 per sq ft of finished space. Always check the current schedule before you apply.

Review time: Allow at least two weeks for most projects.

Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

For new homes and large additions, the confirmed HERS rating (with passing blower door and duct leakage results) is part of the close-out paperwork. Book the final test before the building inspector's final so the paperwork is ready.

Local rules to know:

Construction hours: 7am-7pm weekdays, 9am-7pm Saturday, no Sundays or holidays
No temporary certificates of occupancy

Building Permit FAQ for Burlington

What do you need for a building permit in Burlington, MA?

For a new home or addition: the online application, scaled construction plans, a certified plot plan by a land surveyor, contractor CSL/HIC, insurance and workers' comp paperwork (or a homeowner exemption), any zoning or historic approvals, and energy code compliance documentation. New homes and large additions need a projected HERS rating report.

Do I need a HERS rating for a building permit in Burlington?

Not always. Burlington follows the base energy code, so a new home can comply prescriptively (REScheck) or with a HERS rating. A HERS rating gives more design flexibility and is required for Mass Save new construction incentives and ENERGY STAR. New homes still need a blower door test.

What energy code does Burlington follow?

Burlington is not on the state's Specialized Code list or the Stretch Code adopter list; the town's codes reference lists the 2021 IECC (the Massachusetts base energy code).

Where do I apply for a building permit in Burlington?

At the Building Department, 25 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803 (781-270-1615), through OpenGov permitting portal.

Who can pull a building permit in Burlington?

Applications need contractor license and insurance information; changing general contractors requires a new application and fees.

How much does a building permit cost in Burlington?

Residential building permit: $13 per $1,000, minimum $50 (schedule as of August 2026). New residential construction is valued at $150 per sq ft of finished space. Check the current fee schedule before you apply.