Boston Building Permit Search & History Reports

Boston's Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is the permit authority for all construction, renovation, and demolition within the City of Boston. The Analyze Boston open data portal (data.boston.gov) publishes the full Approved Building Permits dataset — searchable by address, permit number, and work type. Records run from 2006 to present and cover every permitted project in Boston's 23 neighborhoods, from Back Bay brownstone renovations to Seaport commercial build-outs. ISD reviews both residential and commercial applications; major projects may require Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA/BPDA) design approval before ISD issues the permit. Boston's distinctive triple-decker housing stock and dense urban fabric mean permit research is especially valuable for pre-purchase due diligence — short-cycle flips and undisclosed structural work are common issues flagged by permit history. The Analyze Boston portal also links to violation records, zoning board decisions, and certificates of occupancy when available.

Records available

What's included in a Boston permit search.

ISD-issued building permits from 2006–present via Analyze Boston open data: residential remodels, ADUs, new construction, commercial upfits, electrical, plumbing, and demolition. Includes contractor info, declared value, and permit type.

Source: Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) https://www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services

Permit type and scope of work Full description of the work covered by each permit
Issue date, final date, current status Track open vs. finaled vs. expired permits
Contractor name & license Where recorded — required for MA permits
Original PDF document (Premium tier) Certified copy from Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD)

Coverage limits

What this search does not include.

Cities outside Boston city limits (Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline — separate jurisdictions); pre-2006 records (require ISD records request); permits still in pending review.

Outside Boston, MA jurisdiction Adjacent counties and municipalities use separate systems
Pending / in-review permits Not yet issued — not in the public records database
Unpermitted work Not in the records — flagged via history gaps, not direct data
Voided / expired (cleared) records Boston may clear old records from public view after a retention period

Common questions

Frequently asked about Boston permits.

How far back do Boston ISD records go?

The Analyze Boston open data portal has records from 2006 onward. Pre-2006 records require a public records request to ISD — contact isd@boston.gov for historical research.

Does ISD cover Cambridge and Brookline?

No — Boston ISD covers City of Boston properties only. Cambridge uses its own Inspectional Services; Brookline has a separate Building Department. Our lookup covers Boston city limits only.

Can unpermitted additions be detected in Boston?

Yes — cross-reference ISD permit history with the Boston Assessing Department's property records. Triple-decker conversions and basement unit additions are the most common unpermitted work patterns in Boston.

What is BPDA review?

Large projects (typically over 15 units or major commercial redevelopment) require Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) review before ISD issues a permit. BPDA decisions are public and appear in our permit history where applicable.

Can I get the actual permit PDF?

ISD issues paper and digital permits. Our Premium tier retrieves available permit documents directly from ISD records.

Boston Building Permit Search & History Reports

What's included in a Boston permit search.

What this search does not include.

Frequently asked about Boston permits.

Get permit data for Boston, MA.