Fence or deck costs in Boston

Massachusetts has a law written for the spite fence. A fence that unnecessarily tops 6 feet, put up or kept up maliciously to annoy the people next door, counts as a private nuisance, and the neighbor can sue for damages. So under this law, height alone isn't the problem. What it goes after is extra height with no purpose but annoyance.

For the build itself, Boston's permits come from Inspectional Services. Its short-form permit covers minor alterations, repairs and replacements that don't change the structure or use of a home, building or lot, and homeowners can apply for it themselves. Bigger changes go on the long-form building permit.

The sign-offs are where Boston gets particular. Depending on the project, you may need approval from Planning and Zoning to show the work fits the Boston Zoning Code. Work within 100 feet of a park or parkway may need Parks and Recreation to sign off. These approvals show up in the online portal, but Inspectional Services doesn't request them for you. You contact each agency yourself and upload what they give you, and the permit can't be issued until it's all in. And the city is blunt about timing: don't start work before the permit is issued.