Building Department

The Building Department reports to the Town Administrator who reports to the Board of Selectmen. The Building Department is responsible for reviewing applications and plans to construct, alter or demolish any building or structure in the Town of Dover for compliance with applicable Town of Dover Zoning Bylaws and Massachusetts State Gas, Plumbing, Electrical, Building Codes and Chapter 40A and General Laws.

Field Inspections

The Inspectors have to make field inspections at various stages of construction, as well as making inspections of all public buildings, churches and both private and public schools.

Professional Inquiries

The Building Department must also respond to inquiries from attorneys, land surveyors, banks and the general public regarding zoning and building code problems or direct their calls to the proper authorities if it is not a building or zoning code matter.

Owners Versus Contractors Filing

The Board of Building Regulations and Standards strongly cautions building owners against applying for their own building permit. Reputable contractors will apply for the permit, acting as the owner’s agent and with the owner’s written authority. Your contractor may need to be both a licensed Construction Supervisor and a registered Home Improvement Contractor. 

If a contractor is reluctant to apply for the building permit on your behalf, it may be an indication that the contractor does not possess a license or a registration. 

Exclusion from Reimbursement

Remember, for home improvement work covered by Chapter 142A of the General Laws you are excluded from reimbursement of up to $10,000 from the guaranty fund if you apply for your own building permit or if you do business with an unregistered contractor.

Dover Town Code Description of Responsibilities

View the full Town Code.

Building Inspector & Deputy Building Inspector

There shall be a Building Inspector and a Deputy Building Inspector appointed annually by the Board of Selectmen. The duties and authority of the Building Inspector and the Deputy Building Inspector shall include, but shall not be limited to, those specified in Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 143, Section 3.

Gas & Plumbing Inspector

There shall be a Gas and Plumbing Inspector appointed annually by the Building Inspector. The Gas and Plumbing Inspector’s duties and authority shall include, but shall not be limited to, those specified in MGL Chapter 142, Section 11.

Wiring Inspector & Deputy Wiring Inspectors

There shall be a Wiring Inspector and one or more Deputy Wiring Inspectors appointed annually by the Board of Selectmen. The duties and authority of the Wiring Inspectors and the Deputy Wiring Inspectors shall include, but shall not be limited to, those specified in MGL Chapter 166, Sections 32, 32A.