- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
New construction and home improvement projects are on the rise across the country. Adhering to modern building codes is essential to ensuring public safety in both residential and commercial properties.
Currently, eleven states do not have mandated building codes, but thankfully Massachusetts is not one of them. In fact, the use of building codes dates back to the 1600s in the United States, and in 1630 Boston formally discontinued the practice of chimneys made from wood and roof coverings made of thatch.
In Massachusetts the Division of Occupational Licensure’s Board of Building Regulations and Standards (Board) monitors state building codes and construction supervisor licensing. The Board also licenses concrete testing labs and technicians, approves manufactured buildings and related inspection procedures, approves native lumber producers, and certifies municipal building inspectors.
Homeowners can also contribute to Building Safety Month by being mindful of building codes, spreading awareness, and ensuring that any work done on their property is carried out by registered and licensed professionals.
Contractors performing residential contracting on existing one-to-four-unit owner occupied homes in the Commonwealth must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Verify the registration of the individual or business you plan to work with OCABR’s HIC public lookup online tool available here: https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx.
For all other general contracting work, make sure to check on the contractors Construction Supervisor’s License (CSL) by clicking on the following link: verification (mylicense.com).
Generally, renovations on existing residential construction require an HIC, while new construction may require a CSL. For greater detail about what kind of work requires which credentials, use the following checklist: www.mass.gov/doc/check-if-your-work-requires-an-hic-or-csl/download.
These licensees and registrants must follow certain requirements related to their business practices. By working with a properly licensed and/or registered professional, you are furthering a commitment to building safety. For more information about the HIC program or contracting in Massachusetts, call the OCABR consumer hotline at 617-973-8787, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. Or to stay up to date on local building codes, consider contacting your city or town’s Building Inspector. Visit the Board of Building Regulation and Standards’ website for more information on state codes.
