How many building permits are filed in Boston, Massachusetts?
As of May 1, 2026, 4,727 building permits are on file in Boston, Massachusetts. The most common type is electrical (1,626 permits). Records are pulled from the Massachusetts public feed and refreshed daily.
Boston has 3,033 new permits filed in the last 30 days, making it an active market for contractors looking to bid on jobs. With 8,583 permits on file in our database, there's steady work happening across the city. Electrical permits lead the volume at 2,972 permits, followed by other work (2,113), renovation projects (1,474), and plumbing (1,279). Solar work represents a growing segment with 358 permits. The most active zip codes tell you where to focus your prospecting. 02116 has 597 permits on file, making it the hottest area. 02130 follows with 514 permits, then 02124 (493 permits), 02132 (464 permits), and 02127 (460 permits). These five zip codes represent significant opportunity for GCs, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors. Each area has different mixes of work types, so you'll want to filter your search based on your trade. Contractors use permit data to identify jobs before they're advertised on job boards. When you know a property owner has filed for electrical work, plumbing, or renovation, you can reach out directly with a bid. Permit values vary across projects, so tracking multiple filings in your service area gives you more shots at work. The contractors who win bids are the ones who respond first, and that starts with knowing what permits are active in your territory. DigPermit updates this data daily from public records, so you're working with current information. Waiting a week to find out about permits means missing the window when property owners are actively selecting contractors. If you're serious about growing your business in Boston, monitoring permit filings in your trade and your target zip codes should be part of your lead generation routine.
Subscribe to permit data for Boston and set up alerts for your trade and service areas. When a permit is filed, you get notified immediately. Most contractors don't check public permit records daily, which is why the ones who do tend to bid more jobs. Focus on your strongest zip codes first. If you're an electrician, filter for electrical permits in 02116 and 02130. If you're a GC, track renovation permits across all active areas. The key is responding to leads within hours of the permit filing, before property owners have already selected their contractors.
Electrical permits are the most common with 2,972 permits on file, representing a significant portion of the market. Other work accounts for 2,113 permits and covers miscellaneous project types. Renovation permits represent 1,474 jobs, plumbing 1,279, and solar 358. If you're an electrician, you're in luck - there's substantial volume. Plumbers have a solid pipeline as well. If you specialize in HVAC, renovations will likely be your best source of leads since many renovation projects include mechanical work.
02116 leads with 597 permits on file, making it the most active area in the city. 02130 is second with 514 permits. 02124 has 493 permits, 02132 has 464, and 02127 has 460. These five zip codes represent the best opportunities for contractor leads right now. Focus your prospecting here first. If you're already servicing one of these areas, you already know the contractors, property managers, and building types. That local knowledge should help you bid more effectively than contractors coming in cold.
Permit values vary significantly across projects in Boston. A single electrical permit could represent a $2,000 panel upgrade or a $50,000 full building rewire. Renovation permits span an even wider range. Rather than focusing on average value, use permit data to identify volume - get multiple projects going at once. Track permit filings in your zip codes and trade type, then bid based on the actual scope when you call the property owner. Volume matters more than betting on any single high-value project.
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Permit data is updated daily from public records. New filings appear in the database as they're submitted to the city. This means if you check your alerts every morning, you're seeing permits filed yesterday. Contractors who respond to permits within the first 24 hours have the best shot at winning the bid. Waiting a week or even a few days puts you behind contractors who are checking regularly. Set up daily alerts for your trade and zip codes so you never miss an opportunity.