Building Department

Building Department update as of July 2, 2020

The Building Department is open and now accepts credit cards.

VISITORS

We are here to help you.  If you’d like to speak with us or meet with an Inspector, please give us a call.  Please do not come to our offices without an appointment because we will not be able to meet with you at that time.

BUILDING PERMITS

We are processing all building and mechanical permits for all construction work. The staff is working in ways that maintain social distancing and given our precautions and the demand for permits, wait times for permit processing may be longer than normal. All permit applications must be submitted electronically at https://needhamma.viewpointcloud.com/  We no longer accept paper permits.  

PAYMENT

Payment is by check and credit card and must reference your Permit Number and Property Address.  Please either drop off your check in the mail slot at our main door, mail it to 500 Dedham Ave., Needham, MA 02492 or log on to your View Point account and click on "Pay".  There is a 2.95% Service Fee for credit cards and payment is generally posted within two business days.  We also accept Electronic Funds Transfer at no cost to you.

BUILDING DEPT. INSPECTIONS

Inspections are being performed daily through noon time.  Please contact the office (781-455-7550, Ext. 309) to schedule. Do not leave a phone message to schedule an Inspection, you must speak with an Associate. To familiarize yourself with our inspection procedure, please read this:

                 Inspection Procedures during COVID-19 Outbreak 

SCANNING AND UPLOADING DOCUMENTS IN VIEWPOINT 

Many of the attachments that we receive with the VPC Permits are photographs taken with iPhones and iPads.  Unfortunately these aren’t clear pictures and we have to request a scanned copy.  If you have an iPhone or iPad, please check out Apple’s Document Scanner that is in the Notes tab.  This produces a clear image therefore allowing us to process your permit quicker.  Please check it out at:   https://www.imore.com/how-use-document-scanner-iphone-and-ipad

SMOKE DETECTOR INSPECTIONS

For Smoke Detector inspections, please click this link Executive Order

ON LINE PERMITTING

All applications must be submitted via ViewPoint Cloud (VPC) On-Line Permitting:

https://needhamma.viewpointcloud.com/

UPDATED  For more ViewPoint Cloud information please click here


Responsibilities

The Building Division staff enforces state building, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical codes, and sheet metal as well as local zoning by-laws and Architectural Access Board Regulation.

Services

Our staff:

  • Conducts periodic safety inspections of multi-family dwellings, restaurants, schools, religious institutions, museums, and other places of assembly
  • Issues permits
  • Inspects construction sites

Main Phone Number - 781 455-7550, Ext. 309

Staff Members

  • David A. Roche, CBO
    Building Commissioner - Ext. 308
  • Erik J. Tardif
    Assistant Building Commissioner - Ext. 341
  • Bernard Ashley
    Local Building Inspector - Ext. 335
  • Jim Grover
    Local Building Inspector - Ext. 310
  • Larry V. DiBona
    Plumbing & Gas Inspector - Ext. 311
  • Scott W. Chisholm
    Wiring Inspector - Ext 312
  • John J. McGourty
    Wiring Inspector - Ext 333
  • Lyn B. Heintz
    Administrative Specialist - Ext. 309
  • Rick Rutherford 
    Department Assistant - Ext 332
  • Sheila Whisler
    Department Assistant - Ext. 215

QR Building Department WebsiteQR Symbol

Scan this QR symbol with a smartphone and it will take you to the Building Department website.