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

Charlestown Building Permit Checklist

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

Online long-form application through Boston ISD with full scope and total estimated cost
Stamped, scaled design plans (plot plan, elevations and floor plans for zoning review; structural, fire protection, MEP and energy plans for building review)
Certified plot plan by a Massachusetts Registered Land Surveyor for new homes and additions
Contractor license, liability insurance, workers' comp affidavit, signed contract, Site Safety Plan Affidavit and Mattocks-Higgins Affidavit
Flood zone affidavit and elevation certificate where the lot is in a flood zone

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

Who Can Apply and How

Same as the rest of Boston: the licensed contractor applies in their own name, or the owner of an owner-occupied 1-2 family home can apply with the Homeowner Construction License Exemption form and workers' comp affidavit.

Apply through Boston ISD online permit portal. Questions go to the Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) - Charlestown has no separate permit office at 617-635-5300.

Energy Code Compliance: The Part That Holds Up Most Permits

Charlestown is part of Boston, which adopted the Specialized (Opt-In) Energy Code effective January 1, 2024.

At permit: Energy plans go in with building review. New homes and large additions need a projected HERS rating report from a RESNET-certified rater.

At final: Boston ISD reviews HERS compliance before issuing the certificate of occupancy for new homes and additions over 1,000 sq ft.

Project	Energy document
New home	Projected HERS report (HERS 42 mixed-fuel / 45 all-electric)
ADU	Projected HERS report (HERS 52 / 55)
Addition over 1,000 sq ft or over 100% of the home	Projected HERS report (HERS 65 / 70)
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 Boston permits 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 Charlestown, MA

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

Other Approvals You May Need in Charlestown

Boston zoning review (Charlestown is zoned under Article 62, the Charlestown Neighborhood District); Zoning Board of Appeal if relief is needed
Article 85 demolition delay for buildings 50+ years old
Monument Square Landmark District: proposed as Charlestown's first local historic district and still under study in fall 2026. If it is designated, exterior changes inside it would need Landmarks Commission review
Boston Water & Sewer Commission, Public Works (curb cuts) and Parks (within 100 ft of a park) as needed

Permit Fees and Timing

Fees: Boston rates: $50 plus $10 per $1,000 of estimated cost for a long-form permit. Always check the current schedule before you apply.

Review time: About 4 to 5 weeks for a complete long-form application with no relief needed (Boston ISD).

Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

Same as Boston: final inspections with the contractor on site, trade sign-offs, final cost, HERS compliance and flood/BWSC paperwork where needed.

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:

Many Charlestown homes are older row houses and triple-deckers. Gut renovations and additions over 1,000 sq ft can trigger a HERS rating, so check early

Building Permit FAQ for Charlestown

What do you need for a building permit in Charlestown, 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 Charlestown?

For a new home, yes, and also for additions over 1,000 sq ft or more than 100% of the existing home. The rater models your plans for the permit (projected HERS report), then tests the finished house (blower door and duct leakage) for the confirmed HERS rating. Smaller additions and alterations can usually use REScheck or the prescriptive path.

What energy code does Charlestown follow?

Charlestown is part of Boston, which adopted the Specialized (Opt-In) Energy Code effective January 1, 2024.

Where do I apply for a building permit in Charlestown?

At the Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) - Charlestown has no separate permit office, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02118 (617-635-5300), through Boston ISD online permit portal.