Permits and inspections for a home EV charger
What the Massachusetts Electrical Code requires, who pulls the permit, when the inspector has to look, and the permit office in each town we cover.
- Last checked: November 8, 2026
Last checked November 8, 2026
The short version. A new charger circuit is wiring, so it gets an electrical permit from your town's inspector of wires before the work, and an inspection before the wiring is covered. The licensed electrician files and shows up. Find your town's office below. Part of the EV charger installation guide.
The rules, in the code's own terms
| Rule | What 527 CMR 12.00 says |
|---|---|
| Rule 7, which code | The code is the 2026 NEC as NFPA 70, with state amendments, effective for all installations for which a permit has been granted after April 24, 2026. |
| Rule 8, the permit | A uniform permit application form for written notice of installation of wiring. After the inspector of wires accepts it, the permit is issued to the person, firm or corporation on the application, who must notify the inspector on completion. Permits are time-limited and may be deemed abandoned after 12 months without progress. |
| Rule 9, other law | Installations, repairs, maintenance or removals covered by the code must also comply with M.G.L. c. 141. |
| Rule 10, the inspection | Wiring shall not be concealed or covered from view until inspected by the inspector of wires, within 24 hours for excavations and not more than 72 hours for other installations after proper notice, weekends and holidays excluded. |
The order of work
- 1Week 0Panel check and planPhoto of the panel, your town, where the car parks. Pick the utility program that applies.
- 2Before workPermitThe licensed electrician files the wire permit with the town (527 CMR 12.00).
- 3Install dayCircuit and chargerDedicated 240 V circuit, then a plug-in or hardwired charger.
- 4Before it is coveredInspectionThe town wire inspector signs off. Rule 10: no concealing the wiring until inspected.
- 5After sign-offRebate paperworkNational Grid: by Dec 10, 2026. Reading RMLD: within 180 days of the final inspection.
- 6OngoingOff-peak rewardsEnroll the charger or car where your utility offers it, and charge in its off-peak hours.
Two things trip people up. First, the permit comes before the work, not after. Second, the inspection has to happen before drywall, a finished ceiling or a covered trench hides the wiring. Rule 10 is the rule behind it.
Your town's permit office
These are the offices that issue electrical permits in the towns we cover, read from each town's own website. Most have an online portal. Hours change, so call first.
Boston: Inspectional Services Department (ISD)
Boston's electrical permit page says homeowners must hire a licensed contractor to apply for the permit and complete the work.
Cambridge: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- 831 Massachusetts Ave., 1st Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Phone
- 617-349-6100
- Hours
- Mon 7 am to 6 pm, Tue to Thu 7 am to 3:30 pm, Fri 7 am to noon. Counter hours are shorter.
- ISD@cambridgema.gov
Cambridge's electrical permits page says an electrical permit is required for all work under the Massachusetts Electrical Code and is issued to Massachusetts licensed electricians. It also lists a Mechanical Permit application.
Somerville: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145
- Phone
- 617-625-6600 x5600
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 8 am to 4 pm, Thu 8 am to 7 pm, Fri 8 am to noon
- isd@somervillema.gov
Medford: Building Department
- Address
- City Hall, Room 115A, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA
- Phone
- 781-393-2509. Superintendent of Wires: 781-393-2485.
- Hours
- Mon, Tue, Thu 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Wed 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, Fri 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Medford's page says Building, Plumbing and Gas, Electrical and Sheet Metal/Mechanical permits are filed online through Citizenserve, and contractors must register their licenses with the city.
Malden: Inspectional Services
- Address
- 215 Pleasant Street, 3rd Floor, Room 330, Malden, MA 02148
- Phone
- 781-397-7030
- Hours
- Mon, Wed, Thu 8 am to 5 pm, Tue 8 am to 7 pm, Fri closed
Malden's page says only licensed electricians and plumbing contractors can apply for electrical and plumbing/gas permits online.
Melrose: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- Melrose City Hall, 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176
- Phone
- 781-979-4135. Electrical Inspector: 781-979-4134 (answers 8 to 9 am, Mon to Thu).
- Hours
- City Hall: Mon to Thu 8:30 am to 4 pm, Fri 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Melrose's fee page lists a minimum residential electrical fee of $30 plus a $15 administrative fee.
Everett: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- 484 Broadway, Room 26, Everett, MA 02149
- Phone
- 617-394-2220. Wire Department: 617-394-2219.
- Hours
- Mon and Thu 8 am to 7:30 pm, Tue and Wed 8 am to 5 pm
Everett's Online Permit Center lets applicants apply, pay and receive building, electrical, gas, plumbing and mechanical permits online after a one-time registration.
Revere: Building Division (Inspectional Services)
- Address
- American Legion Building, Basement, 249R Broadway, Revere, MA 02151
- Phone
- 781-286-8196
- Hours
- Mon to Thu 8:15 am to 5 pm, Fri 8:15 am to 12:15 pm
Revere's page says electrical, plumbing and gas permits can only be issued to Massachusetts licensed electricians, plumbers or gasfitters, and all building-division permits are applied for online.
Lynn: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- City Hall, 3 City Hall Square, Room 405, Lynn, MA 01901
- Phone
- 781-586-6815. Electrical inspection: 781-586-6714.
- Hours
- City Hall: Mon, Wed, Thu 8:30 am to 4 pm, Tue 8:30 am to 8 pm, Fri 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Salem: Inspectional Services (Building Department)
- Address
- 98 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Salem, MA 01970
- Phone
- 978-619-5641. City Electrician (44 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor): 978-745-6300.
- Hours
- Building office: Mon to Wed 8 am to 4 pm, Thu 8 am to 7 pm, Fri 8 am to noon
Salem's City Electrician issues electrical permits, and the fee ordinance says they are filed by a state-licensed electrician.
Salem's fee ordinance lists a $30 minimum electrical permit fee.
Beverly: Municipal Inspections (Building Department)
- Address
- 8 Dane Street, Beverly, MA 01915
- Phone
- 978-921-6025
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 7 am to 3 pm, Thu 7 am to 6 pm, Fri 7 to 11:30 am
Beverly issues permits for all building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical work, and no longer accepts paper applications: online only.
Beverly's electrical fee is $25 per $1,000 of estimated electrical cost, $65 minimum. Sheet metal is $15 per $1,000, $65 minimum.
Peabody: Building Department
- Address
- Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell St., Peabody, MA 01960
- Phone
- 978-538-5786. Electrical Inspector: 978-538-5789.
- Hours
- Inspectors: Mon to Wed 8:30 to 10 am and 3 to 4 pm, Thu 8:30 to 10 am and 5:30 to 7 pm, Fri 8:30 to 10 am and 12 to 12:30 pm
Peabody accepts permit applications only through its online system (no walk-ins), and inspections are booked by email or by calling the inspector. Its page says wiring permits are issued to Massachusetts licensed electricians.
Danvers: Inspectional Services
- Address
- 1 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923
- Phone
- 978-777-0001 ext. 3061. Electrical Inspector: ext. 3063.
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 8 am to 4 pm, Thu 8 am to 7 pm, Fri 8 am to noon
Danvers' page says all electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician and the department reviews and grants residential electrical permits.
Wakefield: Inspectional Services & Zoning
- Address
- 1 Lafayette Street, Wakefield, MA 01880
- Phone
- 781-246-6388
- Hours
- Mon to Thu 8 am to 4:30 pm, Fri 8 am to 12:30 pm
Wakefield's forms page offers online applications for electrical, gas and plumbing permits, and a paper sheet-metal permit application.
Reading: Building Division
- Address
- 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867
- Phone
- 781-942-6613. Electrical Inspector: 781-942-6614.
- Hours
- Town Hall: Mon, Wed, Thu 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Tue 7:30 am to 7 pm
Reading's inspector hours page says the electrical permit must be issued before an inspection is scheduled and the licensed contractor must be present at the inspection.
Stoneham: Building Department
- Address
- 35 Central Street, Garden Level, Stoneham, MA 02180
- Phone
- 781-279-2670
- Hours
- Mon, Wed, Thu 8 am to 4 pm, Tue 8 am to 7 pm, Fri 8 am to noon
Stoneham's page says the department enforces the building, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing codes and that applications are accepted online.
Woburn: Inspectional Services Department
- Address
- City Hall Annex, 6 Common Street, Woburn, MA 01801
- Phone
- 781-897-5840. Electrical Inspector: 781-897-5846.
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 8 am to 4:30 pm, Thu 8 am to 7 pm, Fri 7 am to 1 pm
Woburn's page says a licensed plumber or electrician is responsible for obtaining plumbing, gas and electric permits.
Winchester: Building Department
- Address
- Town Hall Lower Level, 71 Mt. Vernon Street, Winchester, MA 01890
- Phone
- 781-721-7115. Wiring Inspector: 781-759-9767 (in the office 8 to 9 am only).
- Hours
- Mon 8 am to 7 pm, Tue to Thu 8 am to 4 pm, Fri 8 am to noon
Lexington: Building Office
- Address
- 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
- Phone
- 781-698-4530. Electrical Inspector: 781-698-4512. Mechanical Inspector: 781-730-8485.
- Hours
- Mon, Wed, Thu 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Tue 8:30 am to 7 pm, Fri 8:30 am to 1 pm
Lexington's page says all permits are accepted through its OpenGov system, and to request a mechanical or sheet metal inspection you call 781-730-8485.
Arlington: Inspectional Services
- Address
- 51 Grove Street, Floor 1, Arlington, MA 02476
- Phone
- 781-316-3390. Inspector of Wires: 781-316-3393.
- Hours
- Mon to Fri 8 am to 4 pm
Belmont: Building Division (Office of Planning & Building)
- Address
- 19 Moore Street, 2nd Floor, Belmont, MA 02478
- Phone
- 617-993-2650. Inspections: 617-993-2663.
- Hours
- Building Inspector's office hours: Mon 8 to 10 am and 4 to 6 pm, Tue to Fri 8 to 10 am
Belmont's online permitting page accepts sheet metal, electrical, plumbing and gas permit applications from owner-occupants of 1 to 2 family homes or registered licensed contractors, with a Workers Compensation Affidavit.
Belmont's building and sheet metal fee is $15 per $1,000 of construction cost, $50 minimum.
Watertown: Inspectional Services
- Address
- 124 Watertown Street, 3D, Watertown, MA 02472
- Phone
- 617-972-6480
- Hours
- Mon, Wed, Thu 7:30 am to 4 pm, Tue 7:30 am to 6 pm, Fri 7:30 to 11:30 am
Watertown's permit search page says you can apply online for building, electrical, gas, sheet metal and plumbing permits, and plumbing and gas permits go to Massachusetts licensed plumbers and gas fitters only.
Waltham: Building Department
- Address
- Government Center, 119 School Street, Room 25, Waltham, MA 02451
- Phone
- 781-314-3275. Wires Department: 781-314-3175.
- Hours
- Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
When a rebate depends on the permit
RMLD in Reading is the clearest case. The contractor calls RMLD at 781-942-6598 for a Utility Authorization Number, obtains the town electrical permit, and makes sure the town wiring inspection happens. The application, with proof of purchase, specification sheet and photos, is due within 180 days of the final wiring inspection. National Grid's deadline is December 10, 2026 for work done and application in. See rebates and rates.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for an EV charger in Massachusetts?
Electrical wiring for a charger falls under the Massachusetts Electrical Code, 527 CMR 12.00, which has the permit application filed on a uniform state form with the town's inspector of wires. Rule 8 says an electrical permit is issued to the person, firm or corporation stated on the application, who is responsible for notifying the inspector when the work is complete. Confirm the exact requirement for your charger with your town's wire inspector, using the office card below.
Who pulls the permit?
The licensed electrician doing the work, normally. Boston's electrical permit page says a homeowner must hire a licensed contractor to apply for the permit and complete the work. In Reading, RMLD says the contractor obtains the town electrical permit and ensures the wiring inspection is done. In a condo, the statute requires a licensed contractor or electrician.
When does the inspector have to look at the work?
Rule 10 says wiring shall not be concealed or covered from view until the inspector of wires has inspected it, within 24 hours for excavations and not more than 72 hours for other installations after proper notice, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded. Schedule the inspection before the wall is closed.
What does the inspector check?
The installation against the code in force. For permits granted after April 24, 2026, that is the 2026 National Electrical Code with Massachusetts amendments. Article 625 covers EV charging equipment, and the Department of Energy notes the code treats it as a continuous load. Reading's wire inspectors also say the licensed contractor must be present at the inspection.
How long does a permit last?
Rule 8 says permits are limited as to the time of ongoing construction activity, and the inspector may deem a permit abandoned and invalid if the authorized work has not started or has not progressed during the preceding 12 months. You can apply in writing for an extension for reasonable cause.
What does a permit cost?
It varies by town and the town sets the fee. Where a town's own page lists an electrical fee, the office card shows it: Melrose lists a $30 minimum plus a $15 administrative fee and Salem a $30 minimum. Most town pages we read did not list a flat charger fee. Call the office.
Do I need a permit if the charger plugs into an existing outlet?
Ask the town. Installing a new 240 volt outlet is wiring and needs a permit. RMLD says no wiring inspection is needed for its rebate when the charger plugs into an existing 240 volt outlet, but that is RMLD's rebate rule, not the town's permit rule.
Is a rebate tied to the inspection?
Sometimes. RMLD requires a Utility Authorization Number before work, a town electrical permit, and the wiring inspection, then applications within 180 days of the final inspection. National Grid and Eversource ask for invoices and equipment details instead.
Permit, install and inspection in one project.
Send a photo of your panel and your town. Aurion takes the project through the permit and the final inspection. Or call (781) 210-8400.
Send a photo, get a price