[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Haverhill as Ch. 7 of the 1963 City Code (Ch. 120 of the
1980 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Inspector of Buildings shall examine, or
cause to be examined, all buildings upon which work is to be done
under the provisions of this chapter, as often as practicable, and
shall examine all buildings under application to be moved, raised,
razed, enlarged, altered, restored, built upon or which are reported
to him to be unsafe or dangerous and shall make a record of the same.
The Inspector of Buildings, so far as may be
necessary for the proper performance of his duties, shall have the
right to enter any building or any premises without charge, fee or
restriction and to examine and inspect such building and to order
the suspension of any building operations as shall not conform to
the requirements of this chapter or to order any repairs or alterations
as he may deem necessary to cause it to conform or to be made safe.
No person shall prevent or obstruct the Inspector from entering in
or on any building or premises in the performance of his duties, or
in inspecting the same, or shall continue any building operations
of any kind after the Inspector shall have, in writing, directed the
suspension of the same for such reason, or shall refuse, fail or neglect
to make any repairs or alterations after the Inspector has, for such
reason, directed the same in writing.
No officer, board or commission or other person
other than the Inspector of Buildings shall grant, give or issue any
permit authorizing the erection, construction, alteration or repair
of any building or structure in the City, and no such permit shall
be granted or issued for such erection, construction, alteration or
repair otherwise than in strict conformity to the provisions of this
chapter and to the laws of the commonwealth.
It shall be the duty of the Inspector of Buildings
to keep a full and complete record of all permits issued by him which
shall contain the names of the owners, lessees, occupants, architects
and builders concerned and the date of such permits. He shall keep
a record of all notices and certificates issued by him or his office,
to whom and for what purpose as well as a record of all visits and
inspections made by him in the performance of his duties and of the
reasons therefor and the results thereof.
Persons desiring to erect, alter or repair buildings
or other structures in the City shall make application for a permit
to the Inspector of Buildings which application shall be accompanied
by plans and specifications of the work proposed to be done, and no
such erection, alteration or repairs shall be undertaken until a permit
has been issued therefor in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.
The Inspector of Buildings shall also require,
at his discretion, a plan of the lot on which any proposed building
is to be erected to be filed with the application.
A permit issued in accordance herewith shall
continue in force for six months, unless sooner revoked by the Inspector
of Buildings.
A complete set of plans and specifications of
any building or structure shall be filed in the office of the Inspector
of Buildings when required by him, and a complete set of plans and
specifications bearing the approval of the Inspector of Buildings
must be kept on the premises during the process of construction if
the Inspector so requires.
A.
Minor repairs may be made without a building permit
under the following conditions:
(1)
Repairs are to be made by the owner to the building
where he resides.
(2)
There shall be no cost of labor, and the costs of
the material for any one project shall not exceed $1,000.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
(3)
There shall be no structural change, changes in dimensions
or change of occupancy of the dwelling.
B.
The above conditions shall apply in all cases, except
in emergencies such as fire, windstorm or any catastrophe when a permit
may be obtained later if necessary.
No permit to install aluminum siding, asbestos siding, wood-shingle siding and the like shall be granted by the Inspector of Buildings unless the application therefor shall have been approved in writing by the Inspector of Wires. This does not pertain to installations of siding where the electrical service, outdoor fixtures, outdoor receptacles, etc., are not to be disturbed in any way, shape or manner, such as spot repairs or additions to buildings. Proper removal and reinstallation of all electrical equipment shall be performed by a licensed electrician according to Chapters 141 and 143 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Amended 1-18-1977 by Doc. 5; 8-11-1981 by Doc. 151; 10-13-1981 by Doc. 151-B; 6-14-1983 by Doc. 110; 1-28-1992 by Doc. 23; 5-21-2002 by Doc. 75; 12-13-2016 by Doc. 114]
Pursuant to MGL c. 23B, §§ 17
and 19, as amended,[1] and the authority conferred by the Massachusetts State
Building Code, Section 119.0, the fee schedules for building, plumbing,
gas and electrical permits shall be deleted in their entirety and
shall be replaced by the attached schedules, which shall be incorporated
herein and become part of this chapter.
When the City of Haverhill is the property owner or lessee,
there shall be no permit fee for work being performed for the City.
A.
Building permits and fees.
(1)
A building permit is not required for nonstructural
repairs which cost $1,000 or less for labor and materials. However,
notification of the Building Inspection Department by phone or mail
prior to starting repairs is mandatory in order to be sure repairs
are made in compliance with the Massachusetts Building Code. Said
repairs shall consist of only actual out-of-pocket costs and disbursements.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
(2)
New construction: permit application of $25, plus
$13 per $1,000 for residential construction and commercial construction,
or portion thereof, with no maximum. New residential occupancy fee
of $50 to be included at time of building permit issuance.
[2]
Editor's Note: The 2007 amendment to this
subsection is made effective 9-30-2003 in order to correct a scrivener's
error discovered during review of the Code for the recodification
project.
(3)
Prior to a building permit being issued for new construction,
a site plan must be filed. A site plan review fee of $100 shall be
charged and paid.
[Added 9-30-2003 by Doc. 150-B]
(4)
Alterations, additions, and repairs: permit application
of $50 for the first $2,000, plus $14 per $1,000 for each additional
$1,000 or portion thereof.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76; 7-14-2015 by Doc. 89]
(5)
Any reinspection shall be subject to a fee of $25.
[Added 10-5-2004 by Doc. 134]
(6)
Certificate of occupancy.
(7)
Certification of buildings will be done in accordance
to fees outlined in the Massachusetts State Building Code and in cases
where violations are found, an additional fee of $25 per inspection
will be charged.
(8)
All fees will be doubled in the event that work is
started before a permit is obtained or permission is granted by the
Building Inspector.
[Amended 9-30-2003 by Doc. 150-B]
(9)
Demolition: $25 for each floor to be demolished, plus
an additional $35 for application fee for all residential structures;
$13 per $1,000 or portion thereof for all commercial structures.
[Amended 7-14-2015 by Doc. 89]
(10)
Removal of stop-work orders: $50.
(11)
Amusement parks, equipment, tents, etc.: $20
per unit.
(12)
Requested inspection of existing buildings:
$50.
(15)
Signs: $25, plus $15 per $1,000 or portion thereof
after the first $1,000.
(16)
Air conditioning, except units included under
the original building permit (central air or where structural alterations
are required): $15, plus $10 per $1,000 or portion thereof.
(17)
Heating alterations permit application: $25,
plus $12 per $1,000 or portion thereof.
(18)
Change of ownership permit: $50.
(19)
Construction trailers and/or emergency mobile
homes: fifty $50; storage trailers permit fee: $50.
(20)
Gravel removal permits: $50.
(21)
Permit renewals: $25.
(22)
Solid fuel burning stove permits and chimney
permits: $30.
(23)
Zoning verification for business certificates:
$10.
(24)
Conformance to zoning affidavit: $25.
B.
Electrical fees.
(1)
Electrical fees shall be as follows:
[Amended 10-5-2004 by Doc. 134; 7-14-2015 by Doc. 89]
|
Type
|
Fee
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Residential
| |||
|
New house with 100-amp service
|
Total fee $250
| ||
|
New house with 200-amp service
|
Total fee $250
| ||
|
New house with 400-amp service
|
Total fee $250
| ||
|
Dwelling units new/remodel each unit
|
$125
| ||
|
Minimum electrical permit
|
$20
| ||
|
1 to 10 devices
|
$25
| ||
|
Additional devices
|
$1
| ||
|
All appliances for remodel/alterations
|
$20 each
| ||
|
100-amp service change, includes 1 meter
|
$40
| ||
|
200-amp service change, includes 1 meter
|
$60
| ||
|
Additional meters
|
$15 each
| ||
|
All subpanels 1/2 price of service for each
panel up to 400A
| |||
|
Oil or gas heating systems
|
$50
| ||
|
Swimming pools
|
$50 aboveground pool; $75 in-ground pool
| ||
|
Smoke detectors
|
$50 residential; $50 plus $1 per detector for
commercial
| ||
|
Fire alarm system
|
$50
| ||
|
Security system
|
$50 residential; $50 plus $1 per alarm for commercial
| ||
|
Siding
|
$50
| ||
|
General repairs, residential or commercial
|
$50
| ||
|
Commercial
| |||
|
100-amp service (1 meter)
|
$40
| ||
|
200-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$50
| ||
|
400-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$75
| ||
|
600-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$100
| ||
|
800-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$125
| ||
|
1,000-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$150
| ||
|
1,200-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$200
| ||
|
1,500-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$225
| ||
|
2,000-amp service (additional meters $20 each)
|
$250
| ||
|
Commercial
| |||
|
Temp service
|
$50
| ||
|
Signs
|
$50
| ||
|
Central air conditioner (condenser with air
handler)
|
$75
| ||
|
Air conditioners
|
$25 each
| ||
|
Air handlers
|
$15 each
| ||
|
Commercial appliances
|
$50
| ||
|
Motors up to 10 horsepower
|
$15 each
| ||
|
Each additional horsepower
|
$1
| ||
|
General repairs
|
$30
| ||
|
1 to 10 devices
|
$30
| ||
|
Additional devices
|
$1
| ||
|
Transformers:
| |||
|
First 10 kilowatts or kilovolt-amperes
|
$20
| ||
|
Each additional kilowatt or kilovolt-ampere
up to 1,000
|
$1
| ||
|
Over 1,000 kilowatts or kilovolt-ampere up to
5,000 (includes all integral equipment and appurtenances)
|
$500
| ||
|
Over 5,000 kilowatts or kilovolt-ampere (includes
all integral equipment and appurtenances)
|
$1,500
| ||
|
Carnival, circus, and fairs
|
$125
| ||
|
Traffic signs
|
$40 per pole
| ||
|
Nursing home yearly inspection
|
$50
| ||
|
Remodeling renovations, repairing or additions
|
Same as new
| ||
|
Reinspection fee
|
$25
| ||
|
Yearly maintenance permits (January 1 to December
31)
|
$150
| ||
(2)
Local regulations:
(a)
If applications are mailed, allow a minimum
of three working days for the permit to be issued prior to requesting
inspection. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the
return of the permit.
(b)
It is required that electricians be present
for any inspection.
(c)
Service conductors are to be installed in approved
raceways.
(d)
Oil burners and gas burners shall have an emergency
switch at the burner and outside the fire area and shall also have
a firomatic thermal switch.
(e)
Outdoor signs shall be on separate circuits,
approved raceways outside of the building with a service disconnect
switch.
(f)
Installations shall be tested by the electrician
for polarization, grounds and proper connection.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B(2)(g), which immediately
followed, regarding permit fees for work being done for the City,
was repealed 12-13-2016 by Doc. 114. See now the beginning of this
section.
C.
Gas fees. Gas fees are as follows:
|
Type
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Replacement hot water heater
|
$20
| |
|
Residential (per dwelling unit, plus $10 per
appliance)
[Amended 9-30-2003 by Doc. 150] |
$50
| |
|
Commercial (per unit, plus $20 per appliance)
|
$100
| |
|
All elevated gas pressure permits, or appliance
200,000 btu and over (in addition to unit and application charge)
|
$50
| |
|
Reinspection fee (for each notice)
|
$30
|
D.
Plumbing fees. Plumbing fees are as follows:
[Amended 10-5-2004 by Doc. 134]
|
Type
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Replacement hot water heater
|
$20
| |
|
Residential (per dwelling unit, plus $10 per
fixture)
|
$50
| |
|
Commercial (per unit, plus $20 per fixture)
|
$100
| |
|
Remodel of water or waste piping only
|
$50
| |
|
Cap sewer for demolition
|
$100
| |
|
Piping and treatment of special waste (plus
$20 each fixture). Stamped drawings required
|
$150
| |
|
Reinspection fee (for each notice)
|
$30
| |
|
Commercial or residential water main backflow
device (plus $10 per fixture or device)
|
$50
|
E.
Local regulations for gas and plumbing.
(1)
If applications are sent through the mail, allow a
minimum of three days for the permit to be issued before starting
work. Please call to verify that application has been received and
processed. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return
of the permit. If any questions are not answered or information is
missing, the application will be returned.
(2)
Requests for inspections shall be made no later than
9:00 a.m. for an inspection appointment on that day.
(3)
This office shall be notified immediately when jobs
are finished.
(4)
All fees will be doubled in the event that work is
started before a permit is obtained or verbal permission is granted
by the Plumbing/Gas Inspector.
[1]
Editor's Note: MGL c. 23B, §§ 17
and 19, were repealed 1984, c. 348, § 2. See now MGL c.
143, § 93 et seq.
[Added 6-1-1982 by Doc. 113]
The City shall employ the services of a qualified
Clerk of the Works to supervise all appropriate City construction
and/or substantial rehabilitation projects. The Inspector of Buildings
or, where applicable, the Department of Public Works Director shall
determine if the project's scope dictates a Clerk be required and
shall recommend to the Mayor and Council a nominee after first advertising
the availability of position. Rates of pay and benefits shall be as
dictated by current trade standards and the City's personnel regulations
for temporary City employees. City officials, in their official capacity
when required, may serve as the Clerk for the City at no increase
in salary.
[Added 12-20-1983 by Doc. 150]
All abandoned or fire-damaged buildings shall
be boarded up by the owner as follows:
A.
Material for boarding shall be three-eighths-inch
exterior plywood.
B.
All first floor and cellar windows shall have the
material cut to fit between the staff moldings and rest on the windowsill
to provide solid nailing all around. All remaining windows visible
from a public way shall also be so covered.
-Windows in exterior doors shall be secured,
and doors either padlocked or boarded with plywood.
C.
All material to be nailed with six-pound-cement coating
nails.
D.
Fire-damaged buildings shall be boarded within 48
hours of fire. Abandoned buildings shall be boarded within five days.
E.
Any owner of a building who fails to comply with this
section shall be subject to a fine of $100 per day from the date of
written notice from the Building Inspector.
[Added 12-20-1983 by Doc. 150]
All signs, either wall or freestanding, announcing
businesses which have since discontinued operation shall be removed
within five days from the date of discontinuance. Any property owner
who fails to adhere to this requirement shall be subject to a fine
not to exceed $100 per day from the date of written notice from the
Building Inspector.[1]
[Added 1-30-2018 by Doc.
14]
All residential homes being constructed pursuant to a special
permit and/or an approved subdivision shall erect a sign during construction
which provides the following information: the name, address and telephone
number (both regular and an emergency contact) for the construction
company performing the work. The signage shall be a minimum of 18
inches by 24 inches and shall be visible from the street. The sign
may be freestanding or may be attached to the structure being erected.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 120-16, Residential or nonresidential
accessory uses: storage containers and structures, added 6-5-2018 by Doc. 73, was repealed
pursuant to Doc. 40-B, adopted 11-10-2020.
[Added 6-19-2018 by Doc.
1-JJ]
A.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE (IECC)
STRETCH ENERGY CODE
Definitions.
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is a building
energy code created by the International Code Council. It is a model
code adopted by many state and municipal governments in the United
States for the establishment of minimum design and construction requirements
for energy efficiency and is updated on a three-year cycle. The baseline
energy conservation requirements of the Massachusetts State Building
Code are the IECC with Massachusetts amendments, as approved by the
Board of Building Regulations and Standards.
Codified by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards
as 780 CMR Appendix 115.AA of the Massachusetts Building Code, the
Stretch Energy Code is an appendix to the Massachusetts Building Code,
based on further amendments to the International Energy Conservation
Code (IECC) to improve the energy efficiency of buildings built to
this code.
B.
Purpose. The purpose of 780 CMR 115.AA is to provide a more energy-efficient
alternative to the Base Energy Code applicable to the relevant sections
of the building code for new buildings.
C.
Applicability. This code applies to residential and commercial buildings.
Buildings not included in this scope shall comply with 780 CMR 115.AA,
as indicated.
D.
Stretch Code.
(1)
The Stretch Code, as codified by the Board of Building Regulations and Standards as 780 CMR Appendix 115.AA, including any future editions, amendments or modifications, is herein incorporated by reference into § 120-17 of the Code of the City of Haverhill.
(2)
The Stretch Code is enforceable by the Inspector of Buildings or
Building Commissioner and effective as of the date of passage.
