Building & Construction Permits

Click HERE for the online permitting site.


Town of Needham Department of Public Works Street Permit Information

Street & Sidewalk Opening/Occupying /Obstructing Permit Requirements

Typical permit activities include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Building a new home or addition or demolition of structure that requires the transportation of heavy vehicles and equipment (such as but not limited to, backhoe, front-end loader, dump truck, concrete deliveries, lumber deliveries, sheetrock and/or drywall deliveries) across curbs, grass berms, driveway aprons, sidewalks and/or borders of a public way with or without a sidewalk, in which damage may result that might cause the Town to expend funds to effect the repair.
  • Trench excavation for Sewer, Drain and Water connections or disconnect to any structure
  • Utility installations & repairs by Electric, Telephone, Gas & Cable Companies (see Grant of Location (pdf))
  • Driveway installations, reconstruction & repairs
  • New Garage, Demolish Garage or Garage Addition
  • Placing a dumpster on or over public way or sidewalk
  • Installation of an in-ground swimming pool
  • Placing a ladder or staging to paint or repair building front or installing a sign
  • Install or removal of retaining wall
  • Placing fence or barrier on the sidewalk to protect construction site
  • Placing a hose across roadway and sidewalk from hydrant to fill or drain pool
  • Monitor wells or Soil Test Pits
  • Remove and/or replace Underground Oil Storage Tank

Insurance & Bond Requirements 

All insurance and bonds must state the Town of Needham as the policy-holder.
The Director of Public Works may require an increase of the minimum insurance limits & bond requirements depending on the scope of proposed work.

  • $5000 Surety Bond - Original, signed bond to be filed at DPW
  • Public/General Liability Insurance Certificate 
    • Bodily Injury: 
      • $100,000 per person 
      • $500,000 single limit
    • Property Damage: 
      • $300,000 per accident 
      • $500,000 single limit

Permit Fees

  • Occupancy Only (Section 2.8) - $100
  • Excavation (50 LF & under) - $325
  • Excavation (51 LF & over) - $325 plus additional $1 per each linear foot 
  • Trench Fee - $50 
  • Driveway Fee - $150
  • Privately funded sidewalk improvements (property line to property line) - $100

Contractor License Form & Fee

The Town requires all contractors to maintain a current annual online Needham Contractor Registration. The annual renewal period will occur one year following your initial online registration approval.  Contractors with current active registrations are still required to register online to support electronic recordkeeping. The Town will waive fees for those registrations still active through our previous 3-year structure.

Completed Plot Plan Showing Proposed Work

Please refer to Section 3.2 of the Street Permit Regulations and Procedures for additional information about this requirement.

Excavation permit proposals must be accompanied by a valid Dig Safe Ticket Number. The toll-free number to obtain a ticket number is 888-344-7233 or visit their website.