Building Department

Mission

The mission of the building department is to promote life safety and to preserve the health and well-being of the citizens of the Town of Dennis in their connection with buildings and land use. The Department's focus is to educate the public, enforce minimum building, plumbing, gas electrical, and zoning standards through teamwork and personal pride, and enhance the relationship with the public and building community using customer service-oriented professionalism.

Overview

The Town of Dennis has adopted the MA Stretch Energy Code, and it will be in effect as of January 1, 2020. As of February 7, 2020, the 2018 International Energy Code and any Massachusetts Amendments thereto will be in effect.

Please be advised that all new buildings (residential and commercial) will require a final as-built prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Please plan accordingly.

Online Permitting

When uploading revised or requested documents to your portal for a pending application or permit, please inform the following people via email of the new/revised uploaded documents:


Inspections

All inspections must be requested through your OpenGov customer portal. 

Please call our office at (508) 760-6157 to request an inspection for permits issued through our previous permitting system, EnerGov.
Your email address will be added to the permit, allowing you to request all necessary inspections. Once added, you will receive a link via email—please follow this link to access the old permit.

  • Interior Inspections

A responsible adult (18 years or older) must be present on-site during the inspection.

  • Exterior Inspections

Do not require anyone to be present.

  • Building Inspections - Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Plumbing and Gas Inspections - Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Electrical Inspections - Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to Noon and Tuesday  & Thursday Noon to 4:00 PM 
  • ***NOTE: ALL SOLAR ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS ARE ONLY NOON - 4:00 PM TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS***


Tenth Edition CMR 780

The tenth edition building code was filed with the Secretary of State on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, and became effective on October 11, 2024.

The 9th Edition of the Building Code will apply concurrently with the 10th Edition for the remainder of 2024. Building permit applications for projects utilizing the 9th Edition need to be filed on or before December 31, 2024. Applications received on or after Jan. 1, 2025, that are based on the 9th Edition will not be accepted and will not be granted a building permit. Breaking ground on a jobsite does not need to begin immediately when obtaining a permit.  However, if breaking ground does not commence within 180 days of a permit being issued, the permit may expire unless extended.  See 780 CMR 105.5 for more information.  

As a reminder, the new, tenth edition is based on modified versions of the following 2021 codes as published by the International Code Council (ICC).

  • The International Building Code (IBC);
  • International Residential Code (IRC);
  • International Existing Building Code (IEBC);
  • International Mechanical Code (IMC);
  • International Energy Conservation Code (IECC);
  • International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC); and
  • Portions of the International Fire Code (IFC).