Essex County no longer has a county government: Massachusetts law abolished it as of July 1, 1999, so no county office issues building permits and each of its 34 cities and towns handles its own. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the four most populous are Lynn (104,236), Lawrence (89,320), Haverhill (68,361) and Peabody (55,953).
This guide covers the building offices of those four cities: how each takes applications, what it charges and how inspections are booked.
What requires a building permit in Essex County?
The State Building Code draws the same line in every Massachusetts city and town: ordinary repairs need no permit, while work that constructs, alters, repairs, removes or demolishes a building, or changes its use or occupancy, needs one from the local building official.
Massachusetts has one State Building Code, 780 CMR, for every city and town; towns cannot rewrite it, though many opt into a stricter energy code. The trades run under their own state codes. Massachusetts rules
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Essex County?
| City or town | Building office | Contact and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lynn | Inspectional Services Department, Room 405, City Hall, 3 City Hall Square | City Hall: Mon., Wed. and Thurs. 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM; Tuesday 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Lawrence | Inspectional Services Department, City Hall, 200 Common Street | 978-620-3130; Monday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday to 7:00 pm, Wednesday-Thursday to 4:30 p.m., Friday to 1:30pm |
| Haverhill | Inspectional Services Department, City Hall, Room 214, 4 Summer St. | 978-374-2338; Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 |
| Peabody | Building Department; City Hall is at 24 Lowell St. | 978-538-5786; inspectors 8:30-10am each weekday |
How the largest Essex County cities take permits
Lynn
Permits are filed through the online portal at www.lynnisdportal.com. Paper permit applications carry a $25 administrative fee, effective January 1, 2025.
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Permits are applied for and paid online through Citizenserve. The electrical inspector is at the Fire Department, 65 Lowell Street (978-620-3427).
Haverhill
One Inspectional Services Department covers building, wiring, plumbing, gas, health and environmental issues. The Building Commissioner can be reached at 978-420-3670, and septic work is handled by the department’s Sanitary/Compliance/Septic Inspector (978-420-3668).
Peabody
The Building Department accepts building permit applications only through its online system, with no walk-ins. Inspectors keep office hours of 8:30-10am each weekday plus set afternoon or evening hours, for example Thursday 5:30-7pm. Electricians must get a Utility Authorization Number from Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP) before filing for an electrical permit that involves PMLP service.
Essex County permit costs and fees
- Lawrence: new construction and additions/alterations $12.00 per $1,000.00; signs $35.00.
- Lynn: a $25 administrative fee to process paper permit applications.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Essex County
Each of the 34 cities and towns issues its own permits; there is no county office.
Lynn’s ISD portal, Lawrence’s Citizenserve and Peabody’s online system; Lynn charges $25 for paper.
Get the PMLP Utility Authorization Number before filing.
The department’s septic inspector handles it.
Lynn through Inspectional Services; Peabody by email or by calling the inspector.
Inspections in Essex County
Lynn inspections are scheduled through Inspectional Services at (781) 586-6815. In Peabody, inspections are scheduled by email or by calling the individual inspector, and requests are usually answered the same or next business day.
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Get a free quote →Official Essex County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- M.G.L. c. 34B, s. 1 (abolition of county government)
- Lynn Inspectional Services
- Lawrence Inspectional Services
- Lawrence ISD fees
- Haverhill Inspectional Services
- Peabody inspectors
Frequently asked questions
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Does Essex County issue building permits?
No. Massachusetts abolished Essex County’s government as of July 1, 1999; each city or town issues its own.
Can I walk in to apply for a permit in Peabody?
No. The Building Department accepts building permit applications only through its online system.
What does Lynn charge for a paper application?
A $25 administrative fee, effective January 1, 2025.
Simplify Essex County permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Confirm which city or town building department has the address and how it takes applications
- Prepare the building application and construction documents, plus the trade and local approvals that go with them
- Track the review, schedule inspections and close out the permit with the city or town
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Massachusetts. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Essex County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Massachusetts permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Essex County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.