Last updated: 9/7/21

If you want to see the historical record of permits for a property, you have two options:

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Online

Step

Get your info together before you search

To perform a search to look up permit records from the past, all you need is the address of the property.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND

If you’re looking for the status of a current permit application, please use our Permit Finder website.

Step

Search our online databases

We have a couple of options for searching permits:

Search for document images for all permits
- Please note: This search works best through a Google Chrome browser.
- To view building plans, you must come in person to our document room on the fifth floor of 1010 Massachusetts Avenue.
Search data on permits issued after December 15, 2009

Here is a brief guide on navigating and searching within the system.

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In person

Step

To perform a search to look up permit records from the past, all you need is the address of the property.

Step

Please bring your information to:

1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, 5TH FLOOR

BOSTON, MA 02118

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Building division is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

Having trouble finding a permit? Please contact us at 617-635-5300, or by email: ISD@cityofboston.gov.

If you have any questions about the Open Data portal, please email opengov@cityofboston.gov.