Schedule of Permit Fees

All applications are to be made on the Fire Department permitting suite unless otherwise noted here. Both the Fire Department and Building Department suites are available at https://permiteyes.us/chelmsford/loginuser.php

Smoke Detector Inspections

MGL Ch. 148 Sections 10A, 26E, 26F, and 26F 1/2
  • Single Family  - $50 
  • Two Family - $100
  • Three to Six Units - $150
  • Over Six Units - $500

Fire Alarm, Sprinkler, and Fire Suppression Systems

Fire Alarm Plan Review - Use Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression System application on Fire Department site and select Fire Alarm Plan Review on the application
  • Less than 50 devices - $50
  • 51-150 devices - $100
  • More than 151 devices - $150
Sprinkler and Fire Suppression System Plan Review - Use Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression System application on fire department site and select Sprinkler System Plan Review or Suppression System as applicable. 
  • Up to 7,499 sq. feet. - $50
  • 7,500 to 25,000 sq. ft. - $100
  • 25,001 to 100,000 sq.ft. - $150
  • 100,001 sq. ft. and over - $200
  • Fire Suppression Systems - $50 per system
Fire alarm and Sprinkler system shutdowns Daily Work Permit (consecutive days, per system) - Application on Fire Department Site, Fire Alarm and Suppression System and select the appropriate impairment option.
  • 10 days - $25
  • 30 days - $50
  • 60 days - $75
  • 90 days - $100

Heating Appliances

MGL Ch. 148 Section 10A (Form 1, FP-056) (Use Installation or Alteration of Fuel Burning Equipment application)
  • Residential oil burner and oil storage - $50
  • Burner and/or tank installation - $50
  • Tank removal - $50 per tank - Only applicable for consumptive use residential tanks.
Space Heaters/Vent Free Fireplaces (residential) (Use Vent Free Heater application)
  • Unvented fired space heater - $25
*Gas appliances, wood stoves, coal stoves, fireplaces, and pellet stoves are handled through the building department

Hazardous Materials

Storage Permits - Permits are required from the Fire Prevention Office even if the applicant has a license for storage from the Town of Chelmsford. Use Flammable and Combustible Materials Storage application
  • Flammable and Combustible material storage - $50/two years
  • Waste oil - Included with flammable and combustible permit
  • Aerosol Storage >500 lbs - $25
  • Laboratory Chemicals - $25
  • Compressed Gases - $25
  • Combustible fibers >100 cu. ft. - $25
  • Combustible goods >2500 cu. ft. - $25
  • Hydrogen fueling systems - $50
  • Propane storage (Industrial/Commercial) - $50
Processing Permits - 
  • Hazardous Materials Processing $50 per category - Use Hazardous Materials Processing application in Fire Department permitting suite
  • Oven and furnace installation and use $50 per building- Use miscellaneous application in Fire Department permitting suite

Tank Installations/Removals

For UST and AST; not applicable for residential consumptive use.
  • Tank Installations - $50/tank (Use Tank Installation application)
  • UST/AST Tank removal - $50/tank - Fire Department detail may be required. (Use tank removal application)

Propane (LP Gas)

Up to 42 lbs allowed without a permit, or two 20 pound cylinders
  • Residential LP installations with storage (New installations must provide a site plan) - $50 - Use Propane Tank Installation application
  • LP Gas cylinder exchange cage (2 years) - $50 - Use Propane Tank Exchange Cage application

Construction Site Permits

Must submit NFPA 241 site safety plan
  • Hot work (Cutting, welding, grinding, brazing, etc.) - up to 30 days $50, 31-60 days $100; Paid firefighter detail may be required.
  • Temporary space heaters and salamanders (Expire on May 1) - $25 (Use miscellaneous application)
  • Placement of a tar kettle on roof - $25 - Use Miscellaneous application in Fire Department permitting suite
  • Temporary Dumpster - $25 for six months

Plan Review

Residential - All projects will be reviewed on building permit application.
  • Single family dwelling (new houses and renovations, includes certificate) - $50
  • Two family (new houses and renovations, includes certificate) - $100
  • Condominiums - Refer to commercial building plans, plus $50 per unit for smoke detector certificate
  • Apartment buildings (3 or more units) - Refer to commercial building plans
Commercial (assessed according to work area) - All projects will be reviewed on building permit application.
  • Up to 25,000 sq. ft. - $100
  • 25,001 to 100,000 sq. ft. - $150
  • 100,001 sq. ft. and over - $200
Tents and temporary structures - All projects will be reviewed on building permit application. 
  • Tents and temporary structures - $25

Food Truck/Trailer Inspections

Daily and Seasonal use. Must also apply to the Chelmsford Board of Health for appropriate foodservice permits.
  • Daily - $25
  • Seasonal - $50 - Operator shall agree to submit to FD inspection at any time. (Expires December 31)

Open Burning

  • Seasonal Open Burning January 15-April 30 - $10 for the season. PERMITS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE CHELMSFORD OPEN BURNING SITE DURING BURNING SEASON.
  • Agricultural Open Burning - $10 - Make application on the Chelmsford Open Burning Site. All permits expire on December 31 of the permit year. 

Other Permits

  • Gunpowder/Smokeless Powder/combined - $10 
  • Ammunition storage and cannon firing - $10
  • Fireworks/Special Effects (Must have MA certificate of competency) - $50/per event, firefighter detail may be required.
  • Energy Storage Systems - $50 Residential Installation, $100 Commercial Installation
  • Bi-Directional Amplifier/Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System - $100
  • Blasting - $50 up to 60 days
  • Temporary Dumpster - $25 for six months
  • Permits not listed $10-$100, call fire prevention office