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.

NEW - Online Permitting in Dover, MA

The Town of Dover is pleased to announce that the permit application process has shifted to an online permitting platform, OpenGov. This new form of paperless permitting will streamline the process of approval from the respective departments assigned to review the application. Applications can be submitted and accessed 24/7.  Paper applications will no longer be accepted starting 11/17/25.

Click HERE To Access OpenGov

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.

Dover Town Code Description of Responsibilities

View the full Town Code.

Building Department Office Hours

Mon-Wed-Thurs 8:30 to 5pm                                                                                                       Tues 8:30 to 7pm

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 & Deputy 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 Inspector

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.