Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Inspectional Services is to protect the public health and safety by overseeing all types of constrcution in the City of Lowell. The Inspectional Services Department is responsible for the enforcement of all laws and related City Ordinances which pertain to the Massachusetts State Building Code. More specifically , these responsibilities encompass the administration of the State Building, Plumbing and Gas and Mechanical Codes. In addition, the Department of Inspectional Services is responsible of the interpretation and the enforcement of the City Zoning Ordinance and for the provision of administrative support for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Procedure

The department of Inspectional Services reviews applications for building permits to construct, alter, repair, remove or demolish a structure. Once applications have been approved by the building official a building permit will be issued. The building Inspectors will then make the appropriate periodic inspections. Plumbing and Gas permits are also issued from this department. Once approved the plumbing/ gas inspector will conduct the appropriate inspections. This department also filelds numerous complaints from various City departments as well as the public.  Examples of these complaints range from unregistered vehicles, abandoned buildings and working without permts.  The Sealer of Weights and Measueres also is part of the Inspectional Services Department. The City Sealer enforces laws, regulations and ordinaces relating to the accuracy of weighing, measuring and counting of merchandise offered for public sale by performing numerous inspections for compliance.