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

Concord Building Permit Checklist

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

Application signed by the homeowner (or a signed contract)
Sign-off sheet: Tax Collector, Natural Resources, Planning/Historical and Tree Preservation
Insurance, liability certificate and workers' comp affidavit; contract, HIC and CSL copies
Two sets of scaled plans: site, foundation, floor plans with smoke/CO/heat detectors, elevations, framing and window/door schedules
Stamped engineering for steel or LVLs; certified plot plan where zoning requires it
Board of Health septic or sewer review before applying
Gross Floor Area / FAR worksheet for additions and new homes
Energy compliance documentation

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

Who Can Apply and How

Permits are issued to the property owner; builders attach their CSL and HIC to every application. Homeowners pulling their own permit file an HIC exemption affidavit.

Apply through PermitEyes. Questions go to the Building & Inspections at 978-318-3280.

Energy Code Compliance: The Part That Holds Up Most Permits

Concord adopted the Specialized Energy Code at the April 2023 Town Meeting, effective January 1, 2024.

At permit: New homes and large additions need a projected HERS rating. Concord's fossil fuel-free bylaw bars new on-site fossil-fuel piping in new buildings and major renovations (including additions over 1,000 sq ft or 100% of the home), so new homes use the all-electric path. The town's 2009 application guide still mentions REScheck, so confirm current energy paperwork with the Building Division.

At final: At final we run the blower door and duct leakage tests and issue the confirmed HERS certificate.

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 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 Concord, MA

Massachusetts Stretch Code compliance path flowchart for new homes, additions and alterations - building permit energy code requirements in Concord, MA

Other Approvals You May Need in Concord

Tax Collector sign-off (valid one month)
Natural Resources / Conservation review for new homes, additions and exterior work
Historical Commission demolition review for buildings built before 1941 (up to one-year delay); Historic Districts Commission in local districts
Tree Preservation Bylaw for demolition over 250 sq ft, new construction or 50%+ additions
ZBA special permit for nonconforming expansions or FAR over the limit
Engineering, Water/Sewer and Fire

Permit Fees and Timing

Fees: $14 per $1,000 of construction cost, minimum $60; CO $60 when not part of a permit (effective January 1, 2026). Always check the current schedule before you apply.

Final Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy

Final electrical, gas and plumbing sign-offs, Fire (house number visible), Board of Health if applicable, a certified as-built plot plan, and all board conditions met before the CO.

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:

Fossil fuel-free bylaw (state demonstration program)
Floor Area Ratio bylaw caps house size by lot size
Construction Noise Bylaw

Building Permit FAQ for Concord

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

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 Concord follow?

Concord adopted the Specialized Energy Code at the April 2023 Town Meeting, effective January 1, 2024.

Where do I apply for a building permit in Concord?

At the Building & Inspections, 141 Keyes Road, 2nd Floor, Concord, MA 01742 (978-318-3280), through PermitEyes.

Who can pull a building permit in Concord?

Permits are issued to the property owner; builders attach their CSL and HIC to every application. Homeowners pulling their own permit file an HIC exemption affidavit.

How much does a building permit cost in Concord?

$14 per $1,000 of construction cost, minimum $60; CO $60 when not part of a permit (effective January 1, 2026). Check the current fee schedule before you apply.