Inspectional Services Division

Mission

The mission of the Inspectional Services Division (ISD) is to ensure the safety of residents and community members by enforcing City and State Ordinances pertaining to building construction and health.

 Organization

Building Division [2]

The Inspectional Services Building Division provides permitting, plan review, inspections and related services in order to ensure compliance with the Massachusetts State Building Code and Somerville Zoning Ordinance. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with City, State and Federal codes and: 

• Reviewing plans and issuing permits to homeowners, licensed contractors or architects;
• Conducting field inspections on building permits, certificates of occupancy, certificates of inspection, fire escapes, requests from homeowners and contractors;
• Responding to complaints received by homeowners, tenants or contractors to ensure a safe and clean environment;
• Representing the City of Somerville in court for violations of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance and/or State Regulations;
• Responding to emergencies as requested by the Somerville Fire Department;
• Coordinating with the Somerville Fire Department, Health Department, and the Department of Public Works; and
• Registering and regulating newspaper boxes in the city.

Health Division [3]

The Inspectional Services Health Division provides residents and community members with consistent and high quality education, code enforcement, emergency services and support to improve the health and safety in Somerville. The Health Division is responsible for issuing and renewing health-related licenses (including body art and dumpster licenses) and protecting tenant rights by enforcing the State Sanitary Code.

Ticket Information

The Building Division is responsible for issuing tickets relating to Building Code (780CMR) violations. The Health Division issues tickets for failure to remove snow from sidewalks and for trash ordinance violations. For a complete listing of finable offenses, see Section 1-11 Penalties and Violations of the Somerville Code of Ordinances.

Ticket Appeal Process: To appeal a ticket, check the hearing box on the ticket itself and return it to the City Clerk's office in City Hall. The municipal hearing officer will send a notice of hearing by first class mail to the address provided with the date, time and location of hearing within 45 days of the date of the request. Specific instructions appear on the ticket itself