Staff

Inspector of Buildings

Joseph K. Tierney Jr.

Zoning Inspector

Local Inspector

Jeffrey Fisher

Overview/Updateshome

New Electrical Code- Effective February 17, 2023

For more information, visit the State website

The enforcement of State Building Codes, Local Zoning Ordinances, Architectural Access Board Regulations, and 271 CMR Sheet Metal Code.

Permits & Inspections

Please be aware that all Building, Sheet Metal, Plumbing, Gas, and Electrical Permitting and Inspection requests must go through the Building Department. Contact the Building Department directly with any questions at 508-696-0113.

Online Permitting

The Town of West Tisbury now has an Electronic Permit Management System, allowing you to apply online for permits, view sign-offs, and enable a process review for numerous online permit submittals.

Currently, we have the Town's Building permit applications online. The Building Department issues building (residential and commercial), electrical, mechanical, gas, and plumbing permits. It also issues certificates of occupancy and certificates of inspection. More permits and licenses may be added in the future.

You must set up an account to use the system; the process takes less than five minutes. If you do not have access to a computer, there are numerous public computers at the Library, or we can assist you here at Town Hall. Please follow the instructions carefully to set up and use your account.

Once you have filled out a permit or license application and submitted it electronically, it is only in a preliminary stage.

Each permit may require multiple Town Department sign-offs. The Building Department will send the permit application to the appropriate departments. Permits are not considered officially submitted to the building department until all sign-offs have been approved. You may follow your permit review process online by signing into your account.

  • Payment online is now active for Building Permits and Inspections
  • First-time and Returning users can register on this Website.

Contact Us

Joseph K. Tierney Junior

Inspector of Buildings, Zoning Inspector

Email Joseph K. Tierney Jr.

Building Department

Email Building Department

Physical Address
View Map

1059 State Road 1st Floor

West Tisbury, MA 02575

Directions

Mailing Address

PO Box 278

West Tisbury, MA 02575

Phone: 508-696-0113

Fax: 508-696-0103

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday

8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Directory

FAQs

Sheds

Revised 01/01/2018

See excerpt below from 780 CMR, the 9th Edition of the Massachusetts State Residential Building Code:

R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit. Except for activities which may require a permit pursuant to other laws, by-laws, rules, and the specialized codes of M.G.L. c. 143, Sec. 96, a building permit is not required for the following activities:

Building

1. One-story detached accessory structures are permitted if the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.

See the excerpt below from the West Tisbury Town Bylaws:

D. Setbacks for Accessory Structures and Uses:

Any detached garage, studio, barn, stable, tennis court, swimming pool, or any accessory structure attached to the principal building shall comply with the minimum setback requirements of this bylaw for principal buildings. One detached accessory structure or use may encroach into required setback areas, provided that it:

a. Is not used for human habitation;

b. Has a footprint no larger than 120 square feet;

Does not exceed 16 feet in height;

Is set back at least the height of the structure, but not less than 10 feet, from side or rear lot lines.

It is not located closer to the street than the front yard setback required for a principal building, except for fences, gates, mailboxes, newspaper receptacles, signs, and sand storage bins, as well as ornamental structures such as entry pillars and statues.

For corner lots, the setback from all streets shall be the same for accessory structures as for principal buildings.

Any swimming pool, tennis court, or other accessory structure or use with a footprint greater than 600 square feet shall, if in front of the principal building, be set back at least twice the minimum front setback distance.

Non-habitable detached or attached accessory structures which do not meet the setback requirements of this Subsection 4.2-2(D) may be allowed by Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, provided that the Board finds such structures to be in harmony with the residential development in the zoning district and not detrimental to the neighborhood.

What it all means

One shed 120sqft or less may be located not less than 10', or the height of the shed, from the property line if it does not exceed 16' in height and is not used for human habitation. This shed would not require a Building Permit.

Non-habitable Sheds > 120sqft are required to meet 50' setbacks from all sides of the lot. This shed would not require a Building Permit. A Special Permit could be applied for setback relief from the 50-foot requirement.

Non-habitable Sheds >200sqft are required to meet 50' setbacks and would require a Building Permit. A Special Permit could be applied for setback relief from the 50-foot requirement.

Additional questions can be directed to:

Joseph K. Tierney, Jr.

Inspector of Buildings

508-696-0113 or Email Joseph K. Tierney, Jr.