CHAPTER 4.
BUILDINGS.
As to electrical regulations generally, see ch. 7 of this Revision. As to fire inspection of buildings, see § 8-4. As to loitering, see § 14-5. As to spitting in public buildings, see § 14-11. As to peeping Toms, see § 14-13. As to plumbing regulations generally, see ch. 17. As to dance halls, see §§ 19-7 to 19-16. As to zoning regulations generally, see the zoning ordinance.
Article I. In General.
§ 4-1. Numbering of buildings.
§ 4-2. Gas piping installations and appliance fees.
§ 4-2.1. Building permit fees.
§ 4-2.2. Mobile home permit fees.
§ 4-2.3. Signs.
§ 4-2.4. Mechanical systems (heating, solar systems, air conditioning, etc.).
§ 4-2.5. Solid fuel stoves, fireplaces and chimneys.
§ 4-2.6. Electrical permit fee.
§ 4-2.7. Demolition permit fees.
§ 4-2.8. Penalty.
§ 4-2.9. Building department service fees.
§ 4-2.10. Disposal of building materials.
Article II. Director of Inspections.
§ 4-3. Appointment; term.
§ 4-4. Powers and duties generally.
§ 4-5. Right of entry.
§ 4-6. Office hours.
Article III. Moving Buildings.
§ 4-7. Permit– Required.
§ 4-8. Same– Application.
§ 4-9. Same– Conditions of issuance.
§ 4-10. Owner to comply with certain requirements.
Article IV. Enforcement and Noncriminal Disposition.
§ 4-11. Enforcement of chapter.
§ 4-12. Noncriminal disposition.
ARTICLE I.
IN GENERAL.
For law of the commonwealth as to buildings generally; see G.L., C. 143, § 1 et seq. As to regulation of construction, etc., of buildings by city, see G.L., C. 143, § 3.
Sec. 4-1. Numbering of buildings.
The city council or the inspectors of buildings acting under the authority of the city council shall have power to cause numbers of regular series to be affixed to or inscribed on all dwelling houses and other buildings erected or fronting on any street, lane, alley or public court in the city and shall have power to determine the form, size and material of such numbers and the mode, place succession and order of affixing them on such houses or other buildings, and the owner, agent or person having control of any building or part of a building shall affix to the same the number designated by the city council or inspectors of buildings and shall not affix the same, nor permit to remain thereon more than one day, any number contrary to the direction of the city council or inspectors of buildings.
(10-10-66.)
For law of the commonwealth as to authority of city as to regulation of numbering of buildings, see G.L., C. 40, § 21(10).
Sec. 4-2. Gas piping installations and appliance fees.
The following fees shall be charged for:
New construction:
Single- and two-family and additions, forty dollars, plus five dollars per appliance.
Commercial and industrial buildings, fifty-five dollars, plus eight dollars per appliance.
Church and schoolhouse, fifteen dollars, plus three dollars per appliance.
Remodeling, repairs, renovations, alterations:
Single- and two-family, twenty-eight dollars, plus five dollars per appliance.
Replacement of gas appliances, twenty dollars per appliance.
Residence commercial, three-family and over, thirty-five dollars, plus five dollars per appliance.
Commercial buildings, fifty-five dollars, plus eight dollars per appliance.
Church and schoolhouse, fifteen dollars, plus three dollars per appliance.
Reinspection fee, fifty dollars per inspection.
Penalty, for failure to apply for a permit before construction has started, all fees are doubled.
Written opinion, thirty dollars.
Inspections related to written opinion, thirty dollars.
(4-28-97: 6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.1. Building permit fees.
(a) For a total estimated cost of up to one thousand dollars, a fee of twenty dollars;
(b) For a total estimated cost of each additional one thousand dollars or a portion thereof, a fee of six dollars;
(c) For reinspection (being not ready when called for), a fee of fifty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.2. Mobile home permit fees.
The following fees shall be charged for each:
(1) For base fee, including concrete pads, stairs and patio roof, a fee of one hundred fifty dollars;
(2) For reinspection (being not ready when called for) a fee of fifty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.3. Signs.
The following fees shall be charged:
(1) For a total estimated cost of up to one thousand dollars, a fee of twenty dollars;
(2) For a total estimated cost of each additional one thousand dollars or portion thereof, a fee of ten dollars;
(3) For reinspection (being not ready when called for) a fee of fifty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.4. Mechanical systems (heating, solar systems, air conditioning, etc.).
The following fees shall be charged:
(1) For each system, a fee of twenty dollars;
(2) For reinspection (being not ready when called for) a fee of fifty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.5. Solid fuel stoves, fireplaces and chimneys.
The following fees shall be charged:
(1) For each system, a fee of twenty dollars;
(2) For reinspection (being not ready when called for) a fee of fifty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.6. Electrical permit fees.
| Minimum fee | $ 40.00 |
| Temporary service | 40.00 |
| Alarm systems | |
| 1– 5 units | 40.00 |
| 6 units and above each add | 10.00 |
| Service charge | |
| 100 and 200 amp | 40.00 |
| over 200 amp | 75.00 |
| Maintenance permit | 75.00 |
| Fire alarm– tie into municipal loop | 150.00 |
| Reinspection fee, second one free, three or more | 60.00 |
Fees for work done in conjunction with a building permit shall be included with the building permit. Such fees shall be thirty percent of the building fee, or forty dollars, whichever is greater.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.7. Demolition permit fees.
The following fees shall be charged for each individual building:
(1) For one- and two-family dwellings, a fee of twenty dollars;
(2) For multifamily, commercial and industrial buildings, a fee of one hundred dollars.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.8. Penalty.
(a) For failure to apply for a permit before construction has started, all fees are doubled.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.9. Building department service fees.
The following fees shall be charged:
(1) For a written opinion, a fee of thirty dollars;
(2) For inspections relating to a written opinion, a fee of thirty dollars per inspection.
(6-13-05.)
Sec. 4-2.10. Disposal of building materials.
Any owner of residential property or general contractor shall be required to demonstrate appropriate and ultimate disposal of building materials and supplies generated in a restoration or installation construction project in order to obtain a building permit for such project by the city director of inspections or other designated inspector.
(8-23-04; 11-22-04.)
ARTICLE II. Sec. 4-3. Appointment; term.
The mayor, subject to confirmation by the city council, shall appoint a director of inspections, who shall be in charge of the departments of buildings, for a term of three years, from the fifteenth day of April.
(2-8-66; 4-10-89.)
Sec. 4-4. Powers and duties generally.
The director shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) All city owned buildings shall be under the general care and custody of the director who shall have the responsibility for the keeping of such buildings in good condition for any use and occupation that may be permitted by the mayor or city council and who shall have the direction and supervision of custodians in all such buildings except those employed by the school committee.
(b) The director shall be in charge of all building inspectors, wire inspector, plumbing inspector, and gas inspector with appointments being made under the provisions of Civil Service.
(c) All inspections shall be performed under the provisions of the General Laws and local ordinances and of all amendments and additions thereto, insofar as the same may be applicable to them.
(d) The building inspectors shall make all inspections incumbent upon their office as required under chapter 143 of the General Laws, the City Building Code and the Zoning Ordinance. Inspection of churches, places of public assembly, schools, both public and private, theatres, factories, mercantile establishments and apartment houses shall be made at intervals not exceeding two years or as specifically stated in the regulations, except such as are owned or occupied by the United States government.
(2-8-66, 4-10-89.)
For law of the commonwealth as to inspection of places of assembly, see G. L., C. 143, § 3D. As to inspection of school buildings and theatres, see G.L., C. 143 § 42.
Sec. 4-5. Right of entry.
The inspectors are hereby authorized to enter any buildings or structures at all reasonable hours for the purpose of ascertaining whether any of the provisions of law or ordinances are being violated.
(2-8-66; 4-10-89.)
Sec. 4-6. Office hours.
The office of the inspectors of buildings shall be open to the public daily. Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. On Thursdays the office shall be open from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
(2-8-66; 4-10-89.)
ARTICLE III. Sec. 4-7. Permit– required.
No person shall move a building in a public way within the city without first having obtained written permission from the city council. In an emergency such written permission may be given by the superintendent of the street and sewer department if approved by the mayor.
DIRECTOR OF INSPECTIONS.
MOVING BUILDINGS.
| .... | .... |
| .... | .... |
Approved .... City Solicitor of the City of Leominster
Approved .... Mayor of the City of Leominster
(e) That such permit shall not be in force until the bond required herein has been duly executed and approved by the mayor, nor until the owner in writing has signified his acceptance of the permit with all the requirements of this article.
(R. O. 1960, ch. 32, § 3.)
Sec. 4-10. Owner to comply with certain requirements.
The owner and all persons engaged in the moving of any building shall at all times during such removal observe the instructions relative thereto given by the superintendent of the street and sewer department without in any manner invalidating the bond required in the preceding section or involving such superintendent in any liability on account of such instructions.
(R. O. 1960, ch. 32, § 4.)
ARTICLE IV. Sec. 4-11. Enforcement of chapter.
The director of inspections is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
ENFORCEMENT AND NONCRIMINAL DISPOSITION.