ISD Call Center

1) How do we request and pay for off hours inspections?

All off hour inspection requests must be emailed to isdoffhourinspection@boston.gov . Once received the document is reviewed and if approved a fee is added to the existing permit in our permitting portal. You will receive an email regarding the fee to be paid.  Once the fee is paid, the request is sent to the proper inspector to carry out the inspection. 

2) How does ISD grade restaurants and food trucks?

Our Health Division inspects all restaurants and mobile food trucks at least once a year. To check the status of a food service business, visit bit.ly/mayorsfoodcourt.

3) What is the status of my permit?

To check the status of a pending permit please visit our permit portal. To check the status of an issued permit please visit bit.ly/permitsearch, scroll down and enter the address or permit number. 

4) Do you have a rodent problem in your neighborhood?

Call 617-635-5300 or use the 311 app to report a concern. Our Environmental Services Team will coordinate an investigation. If you encounter pests inside of your home, contact your landlord. If they are unresponsive, contact Boston 311 or our Housing Division at 617-635-1010.

5) Who is the Building, Electrical or Plumbing/Gas fitting inspector for my ward?

Please look at our Website where you will find the contact information and ward information for City of Boston Building Inspectors. 

6) Do you have a concern about a home with hoarding conditions and/or excessive clutter? 

Call 617-635-5300 or email ISD@boston.gov to submit a complaint. Our team will conduct an inspection to assist. 

7) Why does a review take so long?  

The review process for building permits can take a minimum of 30 days to complete. For all applications ( ALT, ERT, UOP, Amendment) there are a number of different steps that are taken before a permit can be issued. The typical process is Intake, Building Review and Zoning Review. In some cases, additional reviews are necessary. For example, Community Sanitation, Landmarks Review and so on, all which can add additional time for completion. If at any point in the review process, additional information is requested, the application is put on hold until the documentation is resubmitted. Once submitted, the application goes back into the queue to be reviewed (minimum of 30 days). For minor permits including, electrical, fire alarm, low voltage, plumbing or gas once you submit your request with all of the required documents the review period typically takes less than 5 business days.

8) How do I apply for a short form permit online? 

Please visit bit.ly/isdshortforms to watch our video on how to apply for a short form permit online. Once you are ready to move forward, please click here to access our permitting portal.

9) Who do we contact for information on reviews with the Planning and Zoning Division?  

Please email ISDPZreview@boston.gov or call 617-635-5312 for all questions regarding the Plans and Zoning Division.

10) Who can we contact with questions for the Permitting Division? 

Please email ISDPermits@boston.gov or call (617) 961-3424 for all questions regarding the Permitting Division. 

11) How can I obtain a copy of a permit and how do I look up approved building permits? 

Please visit this Website for all records including obtaining a copy of a permit. In order to look up approved building permits, please visit this Website. Permits on this website date back to December 15, 2009. Once on the website, all you need is the primary street number, street name and then click search. 

12) What steps can we take to close out permits that have remained open for several years?

Please email ISD@boston.gov and include a copy of your name, address and permit number. Once received, our team will follow up with the area ward inspector, who will reach out to you directly regarding next steps. 

13) What documents do I need to attach if I'm a homeowner applying for a permit? 

Along with your Homeowner Waiver , please include a Workers comp affidavit. On the workers comp affidavit, please check off the third option which states “ I am a homeowner doing all the work myself. (No workers comp insurance required)”

14) What is Short Term Rental (STR)? 

A Short Term Rental is the Use of a Residential unit for residential occupancy- for a period of fewer than 28 Consecutive calendar days-for a fee. For more information on STR please check out the Boston.gov Website email shorttermrentals@boston.gov or call  617-635-1010.

15) What are the different types of STR?

There are three different types of Short term rental Units 

• Limited Share Units (Limited Share Units have a private bedroom or shared space in an owner- operator’s primary residence. The owner would be present during the rental. The fee for this type of Unit is $25 per year. Occupancy is limited to three guest bedrooms or six guests, whichever is fewer)
• Home Share Units (Home Share Units have a whole Unit available for Short- Term rental at the primary residence of an owner-operator. The fee is $200 per year, Occupancy is limited to five bedrooms or 10 guests, whichever is fewer)
• Owner Adjacent Units (Owner-Adjacent Units are within owner-occupied two or three family buildings. In this situation, The owner lists a single secondary unit as a short term rental. The fee is $200 per year) 

16) How do I register my residential rental unit(s)? 

In June 2013, a citywide ordinance established new guidelines and regulations for registering residential rental units in Boston. Online registration opened on January 1, 2014. You can register your unit here. If you need further assistance please reach out to Rentalprogram@boston.gov. 

17) What is the 5 year Inspection Plan?

When your property is selected for inspection:  You have the option If you have an excellent history of property management and compliance with City and State codes, you may apply for a “five-Year Plan”. If you choose to apply for the five-year plan, it applies to the entire property. You cannot, for example, apply for the five-year plan for some units and submit Boston Housing Authority (BHA) inspection reports for others. You must be current with all your licenses and certificates through our department. Some examples are:

• a fire escape certificate if any building on the property has an external fire escape
• a facade certificate if your building is seven stories or taller, and
• your site cleanliness license if the property uses a dumpster or other bulk refuse container for trash removal.

For more information, please check out our Website. 

18) How to request a Housing Inspection?

If you think there's a violation of the State Housing Code, call 617-635-1010 during regular business hours, email ISDHousing@boston.gov or contact Boston 311.

19) Where can I pay my Rental Inspection Fees?

We inspect rental properties to make sure they meet state housing codes. Please mail a check to the Housing Division, 1010 Massachusetts Ave. #5 For questions please call: 617-635-1010 or email: rentalprogram@boston.gov

20) How do I know if my unit is up to code? 

All homes must meet the state sanitary code. The Massachusetts Sanitary Code is a list of rules and regulations for housing. The purpose is to protect the health and safety of tenants and the general public. All residential housing must meet these codes. You also need to adhere to certain landlord and tenant rights. Please check our website  for more information. 

21) What is the Breath Easy Program? 

Breathe Easy at Home was developed to ensure that inspections — and follow-up inspections are performed quickly to resolve substandard conditions.

Through this shared website, doctors, nurses, or other health professionals can refer patients with asthma for housing inspections if they suspect substandard housing conditions may be triggering a child's asthma in their home. The presence of cockroaches, mice or mold or moisture problems can cause serious issues for some children with asthma.

NOTE: Breathe Easy is not a relocation program. We try to ensure the best possible living conditions, so that tenants can remain in their home. For more information please check out our Website.

22) How to get updates on open cases and complaints regarding Housing? 

Please Call 617-635-1010 or Email: ISDHousing@boston.gov. 

23) How to request Housing Records?

Please email: ISDHousing@boston.gov. or call 617.635.1010

24) How to request a Hearing?

If you get a violation on your property, You can request a hearing for several reasons. You can ask for a hearing if you: 

• Need more time to fix the issue
• Want to dispute the violation
• Need to clarify what you need to do
• Have any other concerns about the violation

Please send us your request in writing within seven days of getting the violation. If we gave you an emergency violation you must address the issue first. You have 24 Hours to fix the issue before you can ask for a hearing. 

If we condemn and vacate your property, we’ll schedule a hearing for you without you having to make a request. 

You can find the hearing request form Here. Please send the form back to;

Inspectional Services

Division of Housing Inspection

1010 Massachusetts Ave

Boston, MA 02118