Building Department

Building Department updated September 3, 2021

To apply for a Permit click here:    https://needhamma.viewpointcloud.com 

We no longer accept paper permit applications.

Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.  Our Inspection hours are listed on the individual Daily Inspection Schedules.  

Building Permits  are being processed for all work.  Due to the demand for permits, wait times for permit processing may be longer than normal. All permit applications and attachments must be submitted electronically via https://needhamma.viewpointcloud.com/  We no longer accept paper permits.

To amend an active permit, simply complete a new Residential or Commercial Building Permit Application. 

Payment  may be made by check, e-check and credit card.  Please reference both the Permit # and the Permit Property Address on your check.  You may drop it off in the drop box at 500 Dedham Avenue; USMail to 500 Dedham Ave., Needham, MA 02492; pay by e-check; or pay by credit card (2.95% Processing Fee).  Payment by credit card is generally posted within two to three business days.  Please click below for on-line payments:

 https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S())/2/cloudstore.aspx?cs=62c59505-97a8-4670-a923-99809bbe5719&bg=035b17dd-059c-418c-82f6-4d0fd6f3acf6&uid=2&ps=13

Inspections  are performed daily and the permit contractor must be present at all inspections.  Inspections are not performed until a Permit has been paid in full and work can not begin until full payment has been made.  Contact us  (781-455-7550, Ext. 537) to schedule 2+ days in advance.  Please don't leave a phone message to schedule an Inspection, you must speak directly with an Associate.  Do not request an Inspection via your VPC Permit, you must call the office and speak with the associate who answers the phone.  

2nd / Irrigation Water Meters  are being installed by the Water Department only. Tampering with the Town of Needham's water supply will result in a fine.  Please apply for a Plumbing Permit today, and once your permit is paid for in full, please contact David Branson (781-455-7550, Ext. 306) for complete details and scheduling.

Permits issued since March 18, 2020 are available on-line.  Log into VPC, click on "Search for Records" in the bottom right hand corner, enter the property address, and then click on "Record Number" of the permit you wish to view.  Or, click on "Building Permits Issued" on the left hand side of this page.

Scanning and uploading documents in ViewPoint is easy.  Many of the attachments that we receive with Permit Applications are photographs taken with iPhones and iPads.  Photographs aren’t clear pictures.  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/

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. 537

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
  • Cyril Kavanagh
    Assistant Plumbing & Gas Inspector (PT) - Ext. 214
  • Scott W. Chisholm
    Wiring Inspector - Ext. 312
  • Mike DeRubeis
    Assistant Wiring Inspector (PT) - Ext.333
  • John J. McGourty
    Wiring Inspector - Ext. 312
  • Lyn 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.