[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Aldermen (now City Council) of the City of Chicopee 9-3-2002 by Ord. No. 02-50.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building Commissions — See Ch. 16, Art. XI.
Code Enforcement — See Ch. 132.
Electrical standards — See Ch. 151.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 160.
Zoning — See Ch. 275.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 122, Building Construction, adopted 4-15-1997 by Ord. No. 97-25.
A. 
Codes and standards adopted.
[Amended 9-1-2009; 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 16-14]
(1) 
The State Building Code, set forth at 780 CMR 100.00 et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing public health, safety, and welfare as they are affected by building construction, and in general to secure safety to life and property, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The State Building Code is hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
(2) 
The State Sanitary Code, set forth at 105 CMR 410 et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing minimum standards of fitness for human habitation, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The State Sanitary Code is hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
(3) 
The State Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments, set forth at 105 CMR 590.00 et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing sanitation in food establishments, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The Minimum Standards are hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
(4) 
The State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Code, set forth at 248 CMR et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing public health, safety, and welfare as they are affected by all construction, alteration, repairs and maintenance of plumbing and gas fittings, and to secure safety to life and property, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Code is hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
(5) 
The State Electrical Code, set forth at 527 CMR 12.00 et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing public health, safety, and welfare as they are affected by wire and electrical installation, repairs, and maintenance, and in general to secure safety to life and property, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The State Electrical Code is hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
(6) 
The State Fire Safety Code, set forth at 527 CMR 1.00 et seq., except for the Electrical Code (527 CMR 12.00) which was adopted separately, including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing minimum requirements and controls to safeguard life, property and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion created by the storage, handling or use of substances, materials or devices or from conditions hazardous to life, property and the public welfare, and in general to secure safety to life and property, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
(7) 
The State Sanitary Standards for Swimming Pools, set forth at 105 CMR 435.00 et seq., including subsequent modifications, amendments, or deletions, is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of governing minimum sanitation standards for swimming pools, a copy of which code shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's office. The minimum standards are hereby adopted and incorporated, as fully as if set out at length herein, and provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City.
B. 
Any person who fails to comply with any order of the Building Inspector or other authorized City employee shall be liable for a criminal fine of not more than $300, and shall in all other respects be subject to the provisions of the Ordinance of the City of Chicopee, including, but not limited to, Chapter 132. Each day or part of a day that the violation continues or exists shall constitute a separate violation.
[Amended 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 16-14]
C. 
Disposition of debris. The Building Commissioner shall not issue any permits for demolition of buildings or other structures unless the applicant states, in writing, the specific location at which the demolition debris will be disposed of, nor unless said location is a dump site approved under the provisions of MGL c. 111, § 150A, and the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Chicopee.[1] Disposal of such demolition debris at a site other than named in the application or other than at an approved dump site as set forth above shall render the disposer liable to a fine of not less than $200 each day until the material disposed of is removed by the disposer from the unauthorized site.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 275, Zoning.
D. 
Fees, account and refunds.
(1) 
General. A permit shall not be issued to begin work for new construction, alteration, removal, demolition or other building operation until the fees prescribed by municipal ordinance or bylaw shall have been paid to the City or town collector or other municipal agency authorized to collect such fees.
(2) 
Other fees. The payment of the fee for the construction, alteration, removal or demolition and for all work done in connection with or concurrently with the work contemplated by a building permit shall not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that may be prescribed by law or ordinance for water taps, sewer connections, electrical and plumbing permits, erection of signs and display structures, marquees or other appurtenant structures or fees for inspections, certificates of use and occupancy or other privileges or requirements, both within and without the jurisdiction of the Building Department.
[Amended 6-26-2003 by Ord. No. 03-28; 1-16-2007 by Ord. No. 07-22]
A. 
Filing fees. Filing fees shall be waived for agencies of the City of Chicopee, including Chicopee Housing Authority and private elementary schools. Filing fees shall also be waived for any handicap ramp built to a residential unit, which is used strictly for residential purposes.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
B. 
Special fees. The payment of the fee for the construction, alteration, removal or demolition and for all work done in connection with or concurrent with the work contemplated by a building permit shall not relieve the applicant or holder of the permit from the payment of other fees that may be prescribed by law or ordinance for water taps, sewer connections, electrical permits, erection of sign or display structures, marquees or other appurtenant privileges or requirements, both within and without the jurisdiction of the department of building inspection. Permit fees not covered by this section shall be set as determined by the Building Commissioner or his designee.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
C. 
New construction and alterations. The fees for a building permit shall be based on the volume of the structure unless prescribed as otherwise in this section. The Building Commissioner, or his designee, is authorized to establish (by approved rules) a schedule of unit rates for buildings and structures of all use groups and types of construction as classified and defined in the Massachusetts State Building Code.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
D. 
Moving of buildings. The fee for a building permit for the removal of a building or structure from one lot to another or to a new location on the same lot shall be $150.
E. 
Demolitions. The fee for a permit for demolition of a residential building or structure shall be $50 each floor of the building or structure, and for all others $150 each floor of the building or structure.
F. 
Signs. The fee for signs, billboards and other display structures for which permits are required under the provisions of the State Building Code shall be in accordance with this chapter.
G. 
Accounting. The Building Official shall keep an accurate account of all fees collected for building permits, and such collected fees shall be deposited monthly in the municipal treasury or otherwise disposed of as required by law.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
H. 
Refunds. In the case of a revocation of a permit or abandonment or discontinuance of a building project, the volume of work actually completed shall be computed, and any excess fee for incomplete work shall be returned to the permit holder, except that all penalties that may have been imposed on the permit holder under the requirements of the Basic Code shall first be collected.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
I. 
Fees for work started prior to obtaining permits. Excepting emergencies as determined by the Building Commissioner or his designee, the fee for the work will be double the normal fee.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19]
J. 
Schedule of building fees.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19; 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85]
Type
Fee
Paper Permit
Online Permit
Residential (one- and two-family)
New construction (total square footage of all floors, excluding basement if not used for habitable rooms)
Up to 1,000 square feet
$320
*
1,001 to 2,000 square feet
$420
*
2,001 square feet and over
$520
*
Additions, alterations and repairs
Up to $999**
$45
*
$1,000 to $4,999**
$70
*
$5,000 to $9,999**
$120
*
$10,000 to $24,999**
$170
*
$25,000 and over**
$220
*
Demolitions
$70 per floor
*
Reinspection
$30
$30
Multifamily construction (residential other than one- and two-family)
New construction
$20 plus $0.40/square feet
*
Minimum fee
$520
*
Maximum fee
$20,020
*
Additions, alterations and repairs
$20 plus $0.30/square feet
*
Minimum fee
$320
*
Maximum fee
$15,020
*
Roofing (per building)
$170
*
Siding (per building)
$170
*
Windows (per building)
$170
*
Demolitions
$120 per floor
*
Fire system
$80
*
Solar system
$145
*
Fire sprinkler system
$120
*
Commercial construction (business, assembly, institutional, mercantile or schools)
New construction
$20 plus $0.50/square feet
*
Minimum fee
$520
*
Maximum fee
$20,020
*
Additions, alterations and repairs
$20 plus $0.40/square feet
*
Minimum fee
$320
*
Maximum fee
$15,020
*
Roofing (nonstructural)
$20 plus $0.05/square feet
*
Minimum fee
$170
*
Demolition
$170 per floor
*
Sheet metal/HVAC
$120
*
Solar
$250
*
Alarm system
$170
*
Fire sprinkler system
$170
*
Kitchen hood
$170
*
Work of a minor nature
$120
*
Reinsertion
$30
$30
Miscellaneous
Temporary construction trailer/temporary housing
$120
*
Tents
$60
Certificate of occupancy
$55
*
Moving of buildings
$170
*
Signs
Ground signs***
$170 plus $0.50/square feet over 40 square feet
*
Wall signs***
$95 plus $0.50/square feet over 25 square feet
*
Roof signs***
$120 plus $0.50/square feet over 25 square feet
*
Projecting signs ***
$95 plus $0.50/square feet over 25 square feet
*
Reface sign***
$70 plus $0.50/square feet over 40 square feet
*
NOTES:
*
Online permit fees discounted by $20.
**
Based on project as though performed by contractor. Labor and materials.
***
Up to two sides.
K. 
Schedule of electrical fees.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19; 2-19-2013 by Ord. No. 13-7; 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85]
Type
Fee
Paper Permit
Online Permit
Residential
Single family
$120 plus service
*
Two family
$170 plus service
*
Additions or alterations
$95
*
Garages (attached or detached)
$95
*
Service change or alteration (per unit)
$20 plus $0.25 per amp
*
Temporary construction service
$70
*
Aboveground swimming pools or hot tubs
$70
*
Inground swimming pools
$120
*
Air conditioners, water heaters, oil burners, smoke detectors
$50
*
Central air, central heating
$50
*
Generators
$50
*
Security systems
$45
*
Solar fees
$100
*
Minor work with one inspection
$50
*
Reinspection
$30
$30
Commercial (business, institutions, multifamily and industrial)
Additions or alterations
$20 plus $0.10/square feet
Minimum fee
$70
*
Accessory building
$20 plus $0.10/square feet
Minimum fee
$50
*
Signs (wall or ground)
$70 each
*
Service change
$20 plus $0.25 per amp
Parking lots illuminated up to 3 kw
$70
*
Parking lots illuminated over 3 kw
$90
*
Paint spray booths
$70
*
Temporary structures
$50
*
Major equipment (motors, machines, air conditioners)
1 to 5**
$50
*
6 to 10**
$70
*
11 and over**
$120
*
Central heating/air conditioning (new or replacement)**
$50 each
*
Tent wiring
$50
*
Fire alarms, security systems, data systems (under 3,000 square feet)**
$70
*
Fire alarms, security systems, data systems (over 3,000 square feet)**
$95
*
Retrofits (change ballasts, etc.)
1 to 20 units**
$50
*
21 to 50 units**
$60
*
51 to 100 units**
$70
*
101 to 500 units**
$95
*
Over 500 units**
$170
*
Repair fire damage**
$50
*
Exit signs, emergency lights (per building)**
$50
*
Institutional permit
$420 per year
*
Solar fees
$0.03 per watt; $150 minimum; not to exceed $2,500
Installation of individual units
Transformers
Over 50 KVA**
$55 each
*
Remote panel boards
100 amp and under**
$55 each
*
Over 100 amp **
$65 each
*
Feeders/branch circuits
50 to 200 amp **
$60 each
*
201 to 400 amp **
$70 each
*
Over 400 amp **
$80 each
*
Motors (individual)
1 to 10 HP**
$60 each
*
11 to 50 HP**
$70 each
*
51 to 500 HP **
$80 each
*
Reinspection
$30
$30
NOTES:
*
Online permit fees discounted by $20.
**
With single inspection.
L. 
Schedule of plumbing and gas fees.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19; 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85]
Type
Fee
Paper Permit
Online Permit
Residential (plumbing)
New and renovations
$60 plus $5 per fixture
*
Water heater and replacement fixtures
$40 plus $5 per fixture
*
Residential (gas)
New and renovations
$60 plus $5 per appliance
*
Water heater and replacement appliance
$40 plus $5 per appliance
*
Commercial (plumbing)
New and renovations
$90 plus $10 per fixture
*
Water heater and replacement fixtures
$45 plus $5 per fixture
*
Commercial (gas)
New and renovations
$90 plus $10 per appliance
*
Water heater and replacement appliance
$45 plus $5 per appliance
*
Reinspection
$30
$30
NOTES:
*
Online permit fees discounted by $20.
M. 
Schedule of weights and measures fees.
[Amended 6-9-2012 by Ord. No. 12-19; 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85]
Type
Fee
Scales (by weight)
0 to 10 pounds
$10
11 to 100 pounds
$15
101 to 1,000 pounds
$25
1,001 to 5,000 pounds
$45
5,001 to 10,000 pounds
$50
Over 10,000 pounds
$110
Weights: metric, apothecary, avoirdupois and troy
$2
Vehicle tank pumps
$40
Gasoline pumps
$20
Taxi meters
$25
Fabric measure
$10
Yardsticks
$5
Reverse vending
$5
Scanners
1 to 3
$75
4 to 11
$150
12 or more
$250
N. 
Schedule for periodic inspection of existing buildings.
[Added 9-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-21; amended 12-20-2016 by Ord. No. 16-85]
Use Group
Use Group
Use Group Description
Maximum Certification Period
Fee for Maximum Certification Period
A-1
Movie theaters or theaters for performing acts (stage and scenery)*
>400 occupant load
<400 occupant load
One year
One year
$100
$75
A-2
Restaurants, night clubs or similar uses*
>400 occupant load
<400 occupant load
One year
One year
$100
$75
A-3
Lecture halls, dance halls, churches, and places of religious worship, recreational centers, terminals, etc.*
>400 occupant load
<400 occupant load
One year
$50
One year
$40
A-4
Low-density recreation and similar uses*
Five years
$40
A-5
Special amusement buildings or portions thereof
One year
$50
E
Educational, day care
One year
$40
I-1
Group home
One year
$40
I-2
Residents incapable of self-presentation: hospitals, nursing homes, mental hospitals, certain day-care facilities
Two years
$75
I-3
Residents retrained: prisons, jails, detention centers, etc.
Two years
$75
I-4
Adult and/or child day care facilities
One year
$75
R-1
Hotels, motels, boarding houses, etc.
One year
$75
R-1
Detoxification facilities
Two years
$75
R-2
Multifamily
Five years
$75
R-2
Dormitories and R-2 congregate living
One year
$75
R-2
Summer camps for children
One year
$75
R-3
Residential facilities licensed by DDS or DMH
One year
$40
R-4
Residential care/assisted living facilities (< 16)
One year
$40
Any
Facilities licensed by the Alcoholic Beverages Control
>400 occupant load
<400 occupant load
One year as per M.G.L. c. 10, § 74
$100
Commission where alcoholic beverages are served and consumed
$75
Any
House museums (see Chapter 34, Existing Structures,[1] for definition)
One year
$40
Any
Fire escapes, etc. per Chapter 10, Means of Egress[2]
Five years
$40
NOTES:
See 780 CMR 110, Periodic Inspections, for details.
*
A use group with violations found during the prior year inspection may be subject to semiannual inspections the following year.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 781 CMR 3400.0 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 780 CMR 1001.0 et seq.