Malden, Massachusetts City Seal

City of Malden
200 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
(781) 397-7000

 Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thur ~ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tues ~ 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri ~ 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Malden, Massachusetts Official City Government Website

Departments > Inspectional Services

Inspectional Services

Christopher Simonelli - Director of Inspectional Services
200 Pleasant St., Room 223
Malden, MA  02148
E-mail: csimonelli@cityofmalden.org
Telephone: (781) 397-7030
Fax: (781) 397-7193

The Inspectional Services Department is the umbrella agency overseeing the activities of the building, plumbing and wiring inspectors.

Inspectors' Office Hours:

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Monday – Thursday
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday Evening
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

*Applications for permits to perform Building, Plumbing or Electrical work will only be accepted during inspectors' office hours*
 

Building:  Scott Fitzpatrick, Acting Inspector of Buildings
E-mail: building@cityofmalden.org
Telephone: (781) 397-7030
Fax: (781) 397-7193

Plumbing:  Richard Gillis, Inspector
E-mail: rgillis@cityofmalden.org
Telephone: (781) 397-7017
Fax: (781) 397-7193

Wire: Michael Crotty, Inspector
E-mail: mcrotty@cityofmalden.org
(781) 397-7012
Fax: (781) 397-7193

Mayor's Housing Task Force
E-mail: building@cityofmalden.org
Telephone: (781) 397-7030
Fax: (781) 397-7193

The Inspectional Services Department is oriented to the review and inspection process that provides for the necessary public safety, environmental and community concerns. The department is responsible for the enforcement of the Massachusetts State Building Code, handicapped access regulations, zoning ordinances and conditions attached to special permits. It issues permits for building, wiring, plumbing, gas and signs and performs plan reviews, on-site inspections of new construction, alterations and repairs. The department also oversees change of use and occupancy, demolitions and zoning violations.

The department issues building permits for additions, antenna, awnings, carnivals, certificate of occupancy, chimneys, decks, demolition, driveways (zoning compliance only), fences, fire alarms, fire suppression sprinklers, foundations, garages, insulation, new construction, parking lots (zoning), pools, roofing, sheds, siding, signs, solid-pellet fuel burning appliances, tents and walls.  The department also issues permits for new electrical installations or repairs, fire alarm permits, security systems, telephone and cable connections as well as plumbing and gas permits.
 
A complete building permit application will include specific information that differs between residential single/ two family uses and other uses. The following shall be submitted for each application unless waived by the Building Inspector:
  • Owner's name, address and signature
  • Contractor's identification, including Home Improvement and Construction Supervisor's License
  • A current valid plot plan highlighting the proposed work
  • Manufacturer's specifications of special equipment
  • Architect's affidavits if the structure is larger than 35,000 cubic feet in volume
  • Foundation permits shall include: heights of walls, dimension of walls and footings and strength of concrete
  • Fire rating of structural and egress materials
  • Design plans detailing: interior room dimensions, identification of rooms and spaces, stairs, door sizes, windows framing, siding materials and elevations of structure
  • MasCheck energy code compliance report of additions and new structures and increase in living space (finishing basements and attics)
  • Accurate cost of construction, including all sub-trades including materials and labor
  • Conservation and Historical approval
  • Decks applications shall include: lumber dimensions, column and footing sizes, type of concrete, size and spacing and spans of all framing members
  • Pools applications shall include: fencing and security alarm details, location of the pool on a plot plan

Owners of single and two family homes who reside in the home may apply for a building permit to perform work themselves.  Any owner that applies for and is granted a permit and then hires a contractor to perform the permitted work may not be protected by the Home Improvement Guarantee Fund.  Owners of other than single and two families may apply for a permit but a licensed supervisor or architect must sign the permit and be on the job site to assume responsibility of code compliance and construction if and when hired.  Licensed supervisor or architect must present a copy of his/her license to the Building Inspector in person in the Inspectional Services office. 

FORMS/PUBLICATIONS  

PERMIT FEES  

  1. Single and two family new construction including additions, alterations, repairs to existing buildings: $13 per $1,000 of estimated cost of construction. Minimum fee: $40. Preliminary permits for footing and foundation:$15 per $1,000 of estimated cost of construction. Minimum fee: $75
  2. Three family and above, including commercial, new construction including additions, alterations, repairs to existing buildings: $16 per $1,000 of estimated cost of construction, plus Plan Review Fees as follows: up to $500,000: $75;  $500,000 to $1,000,000: $150;  over $1,000,000: $250.  Minimum fee: $75
  3. Certificates of occupancy for existing and new residential buildings: Single family dwelling: $75; Two family dwelling: $95; Three family dwelling: $115; Four family dwelling & above: $75 per unit
  4. Certificates of occupancy for existing and new commercial buildings and retail buildings:$125
  5. Temporary certificates of occupancy: $75 per month
  6. Demolition of Structure (except when ordered by Building Dept): $7 per $1,000 of the assessed value of the property
  7. Signs: Minimum Fee $100 plus $5 for every $100 value of the sign
  8. Wood stoves: $75 
  9. Swimming Pools In ground: $200;  Above-ground: $85
  10. Moving of structures: $525
  11. Inspection of restrictive covenant: $75
  12. Request for legal zoning status on residential and commercial: $50/address
  13. Work Started Without Permit:  Triple the fee
  14. Removal of Work done Without Permit:  $400.

          ELECTRICAL/WIRING FEES (Effective February 11, 2008)

  1. New Homes-Residential/Single to 3 Family each unit: $300.00
    New Apartment Houses/Condominiums/4 units or more-each unit: $100.00
  2. Receptacles & Switches: $1.00
    Fixtures:  $2.00
    Electric Signs-All Types: $35.00
  3. Motors (Including Air Conditioners & Generators):
    Dishwasher: $10.00
    Disposal:  $7.00
    All fractional motors (under 1HP) each:  $3.00
    No fee less than $10.00
    1HP to 5HP (including whirlpool tub): $7.00
    6HP to 10HP: $15.00
    11HP to 25HP: $25.00
    Above 25HP-each addl HP: $2.00
  4. Gasoline Dispensers (each pump): $25.00
  5. Air Conditioner/Combo Units: $40.00
  6. Cooking or Heating Devices (Electric):
    Electric Heating up to 5,000 watts: $10.00
    Each Additional KW-1,000 watts: $2.00
    Domestic Hot Water Tanks: $20.00
    Dryers: $20.00
    Range Units up to 8,000 watts: $15.00
    Each additional KW 1,000 watts: $3.00
  7. Transformers:
    1 to 5 KVA capacity: $10.00
    6 to 25 KVA: $15.00
    Above 25 KVA each addl KVA: $2.00
  8. Services:
    Up to 100 amperes: $50.00
    In excess of 100 amperes,charges compiled on the basis of an additional 100 amperes
    Capacity or fraction thereof: $10.00
    In addition: each meter & panel: $10.00
    Panel Changes Only (per panel): $35.00
  9. Temporary Service: $60.00
  10. Distribution:
    Additional panels-subfeeder runs and/or ampere rating up to 100: $20.00
    Ampere rating 101 to 200 amperes: $25.00
    Ampere rating 201 to 400 amperes: $35.00
    Ampere in excess of 400 amperes (per 100 amperes): $5.00
  11. Heat Units-Gas/Oil: $25.00
  12. Vinyl Siding: $40.00
  13. Swimming Pools:
    Above ground: $25.00
    In ground: $50.00
    Hot Tubs: $35.00
  14. Carnivals/Christmas Decorations/Commercial Business Area: $30.00
  15. Welding Units:
    1 to 5 KVA or KW: $10.00
    6 to 10 KVA or KW: $15.00
    Above 10KVA or KW: $20.00
    Maximum Fee/each unit: $50.00
  16. Battery Charger/Rectifiers/each: $10.00
  17. Alarm Systems:
    Fire/Panel Only: $50.00
    Smoke/heat detectors/pull stations
    Horns/audible each: $3.00
    Intrusion/Burglar Flat Fee: $40.00
  18. Communication Systems:
    Sound or signals/per outlet: $3.00
    Telephone/Data/Cable/per outlet:  $3.00
  19. Remove Illegal Apartments: $300.00
  20. Demolition/Remodel Purposes Only: $25.00
  21. Sidewall Installation/Permit Required: $35.00
  22. Minimum Fee: $25.00
  23. Re-inspection fee: $50.00
  24. Validity of Permits:
    Permits issued are valid for a period of thirty (30) days only from the date of issue. If work is not in progress at expiration date, permits will be voided. A new application and fee will be required. The electrician upon completion of all work must notify the Wire Inspector. Failure to comply within ten (10) working days will result in a penalty of: $30.00
  25. Late Filing Fee: Double the fee

    PLUMBING/GAS PERMIT FEES (Effective February 11, 2008)
     
  26. Plumbing (First Fixture): $ 50.00
    Each Additional: $5.00
    Back Flow Preventer: $50.00
  27. Gas (First Fixture):  $50.00
    Each Additional: $5.00
  28. Water Heaters:
    Gas (Plumbing & Gas Fee): $ 50.00
    Electric:  $25.00
  29. Gas Fired Boilers/Furnaces: $100.00
    (Gas $50.00/Plumbing $50.00)
  30. Remove Illegal Apartment/Plumbing: $300.00
  31. Remove Illegal Apartment/Gas: $300.00
  32. Re-inspection Fee: $50.00
  33. Work Started Without Permit: Double the fee

Pertinent Links:

Massachusetts Department of Public Safety   

Home Improvement Contractors Law