I.
BUILDING AND OCCUPANCY PERMITS
15-1
Building permit issuance--Report to City Council.
15-2
Publication of weekly list of building permits.
15-3
Occupancy permit--Submittal of copy to fire department.
15-4
Building permit--Removal of gravel or loam fill.
15-5
Building permit fees.
15-6
Electrical permit fees.
15-7
Permit issuance--Notice to railroad.
15-8
Violation--Penalty.
IV.
MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
15-9
Plan of gas line installation.
15-10
Automatic sprinklers and alarm systems—Regulations generally.
15-11
Alarm systems--Control of signals.
15-12
Air conditioning systems to have water recirculation system.
15-13
Installation and use of exhaust system components.
15-14
Plumbing and gas permit fees.
V.
DEMOLITION DELAY – THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT
BUILDINGS
15-15 Intent and Purpose
15-16 Definitions
15-17 Procedure
15-18 Administration
15-19 Emergency Demolition
15-20 Enforcement and Remedies
15-21 Historic District Act
15-22 Severability
============================================================
I.
BUILDING AND OCCUPANCY PERMITS 15-1
Building permit issuance--Report to City Council. A. The
Woburn building commissioner shall submit to the City Council by one p.m. on the
third Tuesday of every month, the building permits issued by that department
during the elapsed time cycle. B. The
following information should be included as a minimum in this report: 1.
Applicant, and address of applicant; 15-1 2.
Owner of property, and address of owner; 3.
Planned end use of construction; 4.
Summary of approved construction. (Prior
Ch. 4, sec.1). 15-2
Publication of weekly list of building permits. The
Woburn building commissioner shall cause to be published in the local newspaper
of general circulation a list of building permits issued or denied by that department
every week. Said list shall be submitted by ten a.m. on each and every Monday
at the newspaper office. (Ord. dated 8/20/84: prior Ch. 4, sec. 1A). 15-3
Occupancy permit--Submittal of copy to fire department. The
building commissioner shall submit a copy to the Woburn fire department, of all
occupancy
permits issued to industrial, commercial, or mercantile buildings. (Prior Ch. 4,
sec. 2). 15-4
Building permit--Removal of gravel or loam fill. Every
application for a building permit shall state thereon the amount of gravel, loam,
fill or other earthy material to be removed from the site of the proposed construction.
No such permit shall be granted if in the judgment of the building commissioner
the amount of gravel, loam, fill or other earthy material to be removed
from said site would be excessive and inconsistent with the size of the area
upon which the building is to be constructed or excessive and inconsistent with
the extent of the related site development and landscaping. (Prior Ch.4, sec. 3). 15-5
Building permit fees. Building
permit fees shall be as follows: A. NEW
CONSTRUCTION - Including additions, alterations and repairs: Ten dollars
per one thousand dollars of estimated cost. B.
MISCELLANEOUS CONSTRUCTION - Including, but not limited to: sheds, swimming
pools, fences, retaining walls, solid fuel heating appliance, roofing, sidewall:
Ten dollars per $1,000.00. C.
DEMOLITION: Ten dollars per $1,000.00. D.
MOVING STRUCTURE - SEE NEW CONSTRUCTION. E.
SIGNS: Two dollars per square foot. ADDITIONAL
FEES & COMMENTS PERMIT
FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE ONCE PERMIT IS ISSUED. 15-2
"Estimated Value", final determination to be based on Means Cost Date
and/or Building
Commissioner/Inspector. Any
activity commenced without a permit - Fee shall be doubled those scheduled. When
re-inspection is necessary due to violations or work not ready on scheduled inspection
date, an additional fee of $20.00 will be paid in advance of inspection. Re-issuance
of lost inspection record/permit card - $30.00. Permit
Renewal/Extension - $30.00 per 6 month extension. CERTIFICATE
OF USE/OCCUPANCY - Existing Structures: $50.00. Where a
Certificate of Use/Occupancy is required for new construction, fee is included
in permit cost. TEMPORARY
CERTIFICATE OF USE/OCCUPANCY - $30.00 for a maximum 30 day
period. CERTIFICATE
OF INSPECTION - Based on schedule of fees as per Mass. State Building
Code. TEMPORARY
RESIDENT - As per Section 5.1.7 of the City of Woburn Zoning Ordinance
- $30.00. (Ords.
dated 9/5/86; 6/19/86: 7/22/83; 5/21/96: Prior Ch. 4, sec. 9) II.
ELECTRICAL PERMITS 15-6
Electrical permit fees. Electrical
permit fees shall be as follows: RESIDENTIAL:
New
dwellings - Complete (Including single family, two-family
and multi-family).........................................$75.00 per unit Complete
remodeling..............................................................................$75.00
per unit Partial
remodeling (additions,
etc.)..........................................................$25.00 Heating
and/or Air Conditioning System
.................................................$25.00 Fire
Alarm/Security
System.....................................................................$25.00
Pools
$25.00 Service
Work: Upgrade or replacement for each
100 AMP ...........................................................$25.00 for
each Meter
...................................................................$25.00 Minimum
Fee: .........................................................................................$25.00
COMMERCIAL:
1-10
outlets at 115 volts
..........................................................................$10.00
Lighting
120 volts 277
volts....................................................................$ 1.00
each Each
115 volt outlet over
10....................................................................$ 1.00
each 15-3
Horsepower, K.V.A. or K.W. Ratings as follows: 1st
horsepower or fraction of each add'l. horsepower........................................................................$
1.50 each K.V.A.
or K.W. Rating ........................................................$ 1.50
each Transformers...........................................................................................$
1.50 per KVA Generators
..............................................................................................$
1.50 per KW 100 AMP
Service
....................................................................................$50.00
Each
add'l. 100 AMP or portion thereof
..................................................$25.00 Distribution
Centers including: Motor
Control Center, Buss Ducts Sub
panels........................................$25.00 Each
Meter..............................................................................................$50.00
Heating/A.C.
Systems.............................................................................$25.00
Signs
.......................................................................................................$25.00
Temporary
Service..................................................................................$50.00
Fire
Alarm System: Main
Panel...............................................................$10.00 Municipal
Box..........................................................................................$10.00
Devices:
Including horns, strobes, bells, pull
stations, heat and smoke detectors, flow
switches, tamper switches ...........................................................$
l.00 each Telephone
Systems
................................................................................$30.00
Communication,
Computer Data Systems ..............................................$30.00 Security
Systems ....................................................................................$30.00
Lighting
Retrofit
System..........................................................................$
1.00 per fixture (auto
transformer) Fixed
Appliances Equipment and Machinery will be calculated by Name
Plate Ratings
................................................................................$
1.00 A.K.W. Demolition
Work......................................................................................$30.00
Minimum
Fee:
.........................................................................................$30.00
Office
Furniture Workstation
...................................................................$ 1.00 per
station ADDITIONAL
FEES & COMMENTS PERMIT
FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE ONCE PERMIT ISSUES 1)
Permits shall be obtained prior to the start of work. 2)
Where the amount of work installed is greater than the amount paid, additional
fees will be paid
in advance of 3) When
re-inspection is made necessary because of violations of the Mass. Electrical Code, a
fee of $20.00 shall be paid for such re-inspection prior to said inspection and
approval.
4)
Maintenance Permit - $200.00 annual fee required per building for Residential, Commercial
& Industrial complexes, that employs an electrician to do electrical maintenance.
15-4 5)
Any activity commenced without a permit - Fee shall be doubled those scheduled.
6)
Inspections outside of normal business hours - Cost per hour, based on minimum established
by Union Contract Agreements. (Ord.
dated 7/22/83: prior Ch. 4, sec. 10: Ord. dated 3/14/89: Ord. dated 5/21/96; amended
10/6/2000)
III. MOVING OF BUILDINGS 15-7
Permit issuance--Notice to railroad. A. The
superintendent of public works, upon application of a building-mover actually
engaged in the business, for a permit to occupy and use portions of the street
for the purpose of moving a building, describing the locations from and to which
and the route over which the building is to be moved, the length, width and
height of the building, and the principal material of its exterior and roof,
may issue
the permit applied for on a condition, the terms of which shall be those stated
in Section 12-16. After notification in writing, by the superintendent of public
works to the police chief, conservation commission, the ward alderman, and the
aldermen-at-large and if a period of twenty days have passed with no written
objections received, the superintendent may issue the requested permit. B.
Whenever it appears that the moving of a building under the provisions of this section,
will encumber the tracks of any railroad, said railroad shall be given a written
notice of the pendency of such application 48 hours before such permit is
issued. (Prior Ch.22, sec. 14(A)). 15-7
Violation--Penalty. No
person shall move, or cause to be moved any building in a public street, in the
City,
without first having obtained a written permit from the superintendent of
public works;
and any person who fails to comply with such terms as are set forth in such permit,
shall forfeit and pay for every such offense a sum of money, not exceeding two
hundred dollars; provided, that in no case shall a permit be granted for the removal
of any building whatsoever which in the course of its removal, will be likely to
destroy or damage any trees or shrubs, the property of individuals, whether standing
in the roads or in the fields, unless the consent of such individuals is first had and
obtained. (Prior Ch. 22, sec. 14(B)).
IV. MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING REQUIREMENTS 15-9
Plan of gas line installation. A. On
all installation of gas into buildings used for recreation, public assembly, or
multifamily
dwellings, the gas company shall show such installation on a plan. 15-5
15-10 Automatic sprinklers and alarm systems--Regulations This
plan shall show the place of entrance into the dwelling and/or structure and B.
Also, the turnoff of such gas installation shall be shown on said plan and the
tie- C. A
copy of this plan shall be recorded with the fire department, and kept in a D. It
shall be the responsibility of the gas inspector to enforce this section.
(Prior the
tie-ins by feet and inches shall be recorded on said plan. ins of
said shutoff shall also be so recorded on said plan. book
solely for such purpose. Ch. 4,
sec. 4) The
regulation of automatic sprinklers and alarm systems for business, industrial, commercial
buildings over three thousand square feet of floor area shall be as follows:
A. Any
new building to be used, or any existing building hereafter altered or enlarged
and used for a business, industrial or commercial purpose, and having
three thousand or more square fee of floor area, shall be protected by the
owner with a complete automatic sprinkler and alarm system. B. The
foregoing subsection shall also apply to existing buildings used for business,
industrial or commercial purposes, whenever an addition is made thereto
which has the effect of increasing the floor area so that the total area, both
old and new, is three thousand or more square feet. Both the old and new section
of the building shall be covered by the fire protection system as outlined in
subsection A of this section. C. All
schools, public or private, institutions, public buildings or places of
assembly constructed
or converted after adoption of this section shall be protected with a complete
automatic sprinkler and alarm system. D. Pull
stations on each floor and in basement and in other locations, number to be
determined by the fire prevention bureau shall connect to the Woburn fire alarm
headquarters through a master box. E. An
indicator panel shall be located at the building entrance, easily accessible to
firefighters,
to designate by signal the floor on which the sprinkler system or pull station
has been activated. The initial installation and periodic testing shall be with
approval of the fire chief. 15-6
waived. (Prior Ch. 4, sec. 5). 15-11
Alarm systems--Control of signals. F. The
master fire alarm box shall be Gamewell three-fold box or equal and the location
of same on the property to be protected shall be determined by the superintendent
of fire alarm. Under no circumstances shall a master fire alarm box be
located inside a building nor shall the municipal fire alarm circuit be extended
inside a building. G.
Master boxes supervising all fire protection systems shall be of the local
energy type
and the following requirements shall be complied with: 1. A
supervisory panel shall be installed in conjunction therewith to supervise the
condition of the auxiliary trip. This supervision, if incorporated in the auxiliary
system control panel, will be acceptable; 2. An
auxiliary power source shall be provided to allow for complete operation of the
auxiliary fire protection or detection system(s) and the operation of the auxiliary
trip of the local energy master box in the event of power failure. This
auxiliary power source shall consist of wet-cell batteries except that if a standby
generator with automatic controls for operation of same in the event of
power failure is provided the requirement for wet-cell batteries may be Alarm
systems which emit signals shall be subject to the following regulations: A. For
the purposes of this part, the term "alarm system" means an assembly
of equipment
and devices or a single device, arranged to signal the presence or detection
of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises. The term "alarm user" means
any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained except for
alarm systems on motor vehicles. B.
Every alarm user shall submit to the police chief the names and telephone numbers
of at least two other persons who can be reached at any time, day or night,
and who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal by an alarm system
and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed. C.
Within 6 months from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this part,
all present
alarm systems which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a
device which will shut off the horn or bell within 15 minutes after the activation
of the alarm system. All alarm systems installed after the effective date of
the ordinance codified in this part shall be equipped with such a device. D. Any
alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 30
minutes and which disturbs the peace, comfort or repose of a neighborhood shall
constitute a public nuisance. In the event that the police chief is unable to contact
the alarm user or members of the alarm user's family or those persons 15-7
designated in subsection B of this section, or if the aforesaid persons cannot
or will
not curtail the signal, he may direct a police officer or a firefighter or a qualified
alarm technician to enter upon the property outside the house or building
in which the alarm system is located and take any reasonable action necessary
to abate the nuisance. E.
Failure to abide by the provisions of either subsections B or C shall be punishable
by a fine of 50 dollars, with each subsection constituting a separate offense.
Maintenance of a public nuisance as defined in subsection D of this section
shall be punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars. (Prior Ch. 4, sec. 6). 15-12
Air conditioning systems to have water recirculation system. All air
conditioning units that are of a water-cooled compressor design shall have a water
recirculation system. (Prior Ch. 4, sec. 7). 15-13
Installation and use of exhaust system components. The
basic requirements for the design, installation and use of exhaust system components
including (1) hoods, (2) grease removal devices, (3) exhaust ducts, (4) dampers,
(5) air-moving devices, (6) auxiliary equipment, (7) fire extinguishing equipment
for the exhaust system and the cooking equipment used therewith in commercial,
industrial, institutional and similar cooking applications shall be as follows:
A. All
such installations made in the City shall, upon adoption of the ordinance codified
in this part, be made in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association
Standard 96, "Standard for the Installation of Equipment for the removal
of smoke and grease-laden vapors from Commercial Cooking Equipment."
B. All
in-line gas valves shall be of the mechanical type only as referred to in Massachusetts
Fuel Gas Code Established under Chapter 737, Acts of 1960, effective
February 1, 1975, sec. 4.21. (Prior Ch. 4, sec. 8). 15-14
Plumbing and gas permit fees. The
fees for plumbing and gas permits issued under Chapter 358 of the Massachusetts
State
Plumbing Code shall be amended to read as follows: 15-8
PLUMBING FEES: RESIDENTIAL
PLUMBING: New
Installation:...........................................................................$100.00
1-10 Fixtures ............................................................................
$ 5.00 each add'l. Replacement:...............................................................................$
25.00 1-3 Fixtures ...............................................................................
$ 5.00 each add’l Lawn
Irrigation* ...........................................................................$
50.00 Sewer
Inspection
......................................................................... $
25.00 Re-Inspection...............................................................................
$ 20.00 COMMERCIAL
PLUMBING: New
Installation:
..........................................................................$150.00
1-10 Fixtures .........................................................................
$ 5.00 each add'l. Replacement:
......................................................................... $
50.00 1-5 Fixtures .........................................................................
$ 5.00 each add'l. Re-Inspection:
$ 20.00 GAS
FEES: RESIDENTIAL:
New
Installation & Replacement:
................................................ $ 25.00 1-3 Fixtures ...............................................
$ 10.00 each add'l. Heating
Unit*................................................................................
$ 35.00 Gas
Water Heater (replacement only).......................................... $
10.00 COMMERCIAL:
New
& Replacement:
................................................................... $ 50.00 1-5
Fixtures ....................................................................
$ 10.00 each add'l. Heating
Unit*................................................................................
$ 35.00 Gas
Water Heater (replacement only):......................................... $
30.00 *Heating
Units - Gas Boiler, Gas Furnace, Gas Space Heater, Gas Roof Heater, Gas Unit Heater,
Gas Conversion Heater, Gas Fireplace Heater Log. ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS & FEES. PERMIT
FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE ONCE PERMIT IS ISSUED. 15-9 1)
Permits shall be obtained prior to the start of work. 2) Any
activity commenced without a permit - Fee shall be doubled those scheduled. 3)
Inspections outside of normal business hours - Cost per hour, based on minimum established
by Union Contract. 4) When
re-inspection is necessary due to violations or work not ready on scheduled inspection
date, an additional fee of $20.00 will be paid in advance of inspection. (Ord.
dated 2/5/85; 01/22/87; 5/24/96; 10/23/98) V.
DEMOLITION DELAY – THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT
BUILDINGS
15-15 Intent and Purpose
This ordinance is enacted for the purpose of preserving and protecting significant
buildings within the city which constitute or reflect distinctive features of the
architectural, cultural, economic, political or social history of the city and to limit the
detrimental effect of demolition on the character of the city. Through this ordinance,
owners of preferably preserved buildings are encouraged to seek out alternative
options that will preserve, rehabilitate or restore such buildings and residents of the
city are alerted to impending demolitions of significant buildings. By preserving and
protecting significant buildings, streetscapes and neighborhoods, this ordinance
promotes the public welfare by making the city a more attractive and desirable
place in which to live and work. To achieve these purposes the Historical
Commission is authorized to advise the Building Inspector with respect to
demolition permit applications. The issuance of demolition permits is regulated as
provided by this ordinance.
15-16 Definitions
APPLICANT: Any person or entity who files an application for a demolition permit. If
the applicant is not the owner of the premises upon which the building is situated,
the owner must indicate on or with the application his/her assent to the filing of the
application.
APPLICATION: An application for the demolition of a building.
BUILDING: Any combination of materials forming a shelter for persons, animals, or
property.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER: The person occupying the office of Building
Commissioner or otherwise authorized to issue demolition permits.
COMMISSION: The Woburn Historical Commission or its designee.
DEMOLITION: Any act of pulling down, destroying, removing, dismantling or razing
a building or commencing the work of total or substantial destruction with the intent
of completing the same.
DEMOLITION PERMIT: The building permit issued by the Building Inspector for a
demolition of a building, excluding a building permit issued solely for the demolition
of the interior of a building.
PREFERABLY PRESERVED: Any significant building which the Commission
determines, following a public hearing, that it is in the public interest to be
preserved rather than demolished. A preferably preserved building is subject to the
twelve month demolition delay period of this ordinance.
SIGNIFICANT BUILDING: Any building within the city which is in whole or in part
seventy-five years or more old and which has been determined by the Commission
or its designee to be significant based on any of the following criteria:
• The Building is listed on, or is within an area listed on, the National Register of
Historic Places; or
• The Building has been found eligible for the National Register of Historic Places;
or
• The Building is importantly associated with one or more historic persons or
events, or with the broad architectural, cultural, political, economic or social
history of the City or the Commonwealth; or
• The Building is historically or architecturally important (in terms of period, style,
method of building construction or association with a recognized architect or
builder) either by itself or in the context of a group of buildings.
No demolition permit for a building which is in whole or in part seventy-five years or
more old shall be issued without following the provisions of this ordinance. If a
building is of unknown age, it shall be assumed that the building is over 75 years
old for the purposes of this ordinance.
An applicant proposing to demolish a building subject to this ordinance shall file
with the Building Commissioner an application containing the following information:
• The address of the building to be demolished.
• The owner's name, address and telephone number.
• A description of the building.
• The reason for requesting a demolition permit.
• A brief description of the proposed reuse, reconstruction or replacement.
• A photograph or photograph(s) of the building.
The Building Commissioner shall within seven days forward a copy of the
application to the Commission. The Commission shall within fifteen days after
receipt of the application, make a written determination of whether the building is
significant.
Upon determination by the Commission that the building is not significant, the
Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and applicant in writing.
The Building Commissioner may then issue the demolition permit.
Upon determination by the Commission that the building is significant, the
Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and the applicant in writing.
No demolition permit may be issued at this time. If the Commission does not notify
the Building Commissioner within fifteen days of receipt of the application, the
Building Commissioner may proceed to issue the demolition permit.
If the Commission finds that the building is significant, it shall hold a public hearing
within thirty days of the written notification to the Building Commissioner. Public
notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in city hall for a period of not less than seven days prior to the
date of said hearing and the applicant and the building inspector shall be notified in
writing of the meeting time and place.
The Commission shall decide at the public hearing or within fourteen days after the
public hearing whether the building should be preferably preserved. If agreed to in
writing by the applicant, the determination of the Commission may be postponed.
If the Commission determines that the building is not preferably preserved, the
Commission shall so notify the Building Commissioner and applicant in writing.
The Building Commissioner may then issue the demolition permit.
If the Commission determines that the building is preferably preserved, the
Commission shall notify the Building Commissioner and applicant in writing. No
demolition permit may then be issued for a period of twelve months from the date of
the determination unless otherwise agreed to by the Commission. If the
Commission does not so notify the Building Commissioner in writing within twenty
one days of the public hearing, the Building Commissioner may issue the
demolition permit.
Upon a determination by the Commission that any building which is the subject of
an application is a preferably preserved building, no building permit for new
construction or alterations on the premises shall be issued for a period of twelve
months from the date of the determination unless otherwise agreed to by the
Commission.
No permit for demolition of a building determined to be a preferably preserved
building shall be granted until all plans for future use and development of the site
have been filed with the Building Commissioner and have found to comply with all
laws pertaining to the issuance of a building permit or if for a parking lot, a
certificate of occupancy for that site. All approvals necessary for the issuance of
such building permit or certificate of occupancy including without limitation any
necessary zoning variances or special permits, must be granted and all appeals
from the granting of such approvals must be concluded, prior to the issuance of a
demolition permit under this section.
The Building Commissioner may issue a demolition permit or a building permit for a
preferably preserved building within the twelve months if the Commission notifies
the Building Commissioner in writing that the Commission finds that the intent and
purpose of this ordinance is served even with the issuance of the demolition permit
or the building permit.
Following the twelve month delay period, the Building Commissioner may issue the
demolition permit.
15-18 Administration
The Commission may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to
administer the terms of this ordinance.
The Commission is authorized to adopt a schedule of reasonable fees to cover the
costs associated with the administration of this ordinance. Administrative and
advertising fees shall be borne by the petitioner.
The Commission may delegate authority to make initial determinations of
significance to one or more members of the Commission or to a municipal
employee.
The Commission may pro-actively develop a list of significant buildings that will be
subject to this ordinance. Buildings proposed for the significant building list shall be
added following a public hearing.
15-20 Enforcement and Remedies
The Commission and/or the Building Commissioner are each specifically
authorized to institute any and all actions and proceedings, in law or equity, as they
may deem necessary and appropriate to obtain compliance with the requirements
of this ordinance or to prevent a threatened violation thereof. Any owner of a
building subject to this ordinance that demolished the building without first obtaining
a demolition permit in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance shall be
subject to a fine of not more than Three Hundred Dollars. Each day the violation
exists shall constitute a separate offense until a faithful restoration of the
demolished building is completed or unless otherwise agreed to by the
Commission.
If a building subject to this ordinance is demolished without first obtaining a
demolition permit, no building permit shall be issued for a period of two years from
the date of the demolition on the subject parcel of land or any adjoining parcels of
land under common ownership and control unless the building permit is for the
faithful restoration referred to above or unless otherwise agreed to by the
Commission.
15-21 Historic District Act
Following a determination that the building is significant and preferably preserved,
the Commission may recommend to the [Mayor and City Council] that the building
be protected through the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40C,
the Historic Districts Act. The steps required under M.G.L. Chapter 40C shall be
followed prior to the establishment of a local historic district. Nothing in this
ordinance shall be deemed to conflict with the provisions of the Historic District Act,
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40C. If any of the provisions of this
ordinance do so conflict, that act shall prevail.
15-22 Severability