Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-09-11
13 of Massachusetts's 14 counties — 93% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 28th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Dukes County (71/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 1516 counties nationwide → Massachusetts: no zoning → Massachusetts: no minimum home size → Full Massachusetts profile →
13 of 14 Massachusetts counties · sorted by Index score
A homeowner of an owner-occupied one- or two-family dwelling may obtain a building permit without a construction supervisor's license under the 780 CMR homeowner license exempti…
Mass.gov - When is a Construction Supervisor License Required (homeowner exemption) ↗Homeowners may apply for a building permit on their own primary residence under the homeowner exemption in 780 CMR (110.R5), exempting them from the construction supervisor lice…
Mass.gov - Massachusetts law about home improvement (homeowner exemption) ↗Under the statewide Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR homeowner provision), an owner-occupant of a one- or two-family dwelling may perform work without a construction s…
Massachusetts 780 CMR Homeowner Construction Supervisor License Exemption Affidavit ↗Under 780 CMR, a homeowner who owns and resides (or intends to reside) in a one- or two-family dwelling is exempt from the construction supervisor licensing provisions and may a…
780 CMR Massachusetts Building Code - Administration ↗Under 780 CMR 110.R5 a homeowner may pull a building permit for a one- or two-family dwelling they own/reside in and act as their own construction supervisor, exempt from licens…
780 CMR 110.R5 Registration and Licensing (homeowner exemption) ↗Massachusetts 780 CMR exempts a homeowner performing work on their own one- or two-family dwelling from the Construction Supervisor License requirement (they must still obtain a…
Mass.gov - When is a Construction Supervisor License required? ↗Under 780 CMR, owner-occupants performing work on their own 1- and 2-family dwelling are exempt from the construction-supervisor licensing provisions, though a building permit i…
City of Worcester - Inspectional Services ↗Under 780 CMR, an owner-occupant of a one- or two-family dwelling may obtain the building permit and act as their own contractor without a construction supervisor license.
Mass.gov — 780 CMR State Building Code (Administration) ↗Massachusetts exempts a homeowner from the construction supervisor licensing provisions of 780 CMR 110.R5 for work on their own one- or two-family dwelling (they must supervise …
780 CMR 110.R5 - Registration and Licensing (Homeowner Exemption) ↗Massachusetts 780 CMR exempts a homeowner performing work on their own one- or two-family dwelling from the Construction Supervisor License requirement (a building permit is sti…
Mass.gov - When is a Construction Supervisor License required? ↗Under 780 CMR a homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling may secure their own building permit and is exempt from the construction-supervisor licensing provisions (statewide, a…
Mass.gov - 780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code ↗Under 780 CMR (Ch. 110.R5) a homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling is exempt from the construction supervisor license requirement and may pull and supervise their own permi…
City of Cambridge Homeowner's Affidavit (CSL Exemption) ↗Under 780 CMR a homeowner of a one- or two-family dwelling may pull their own building permit and is exempt from the construction-supervisor licensing provisions; Boston ISD pub…
City of Boston ISD - Homeowner Construction License Exemption ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Massachusetts state page for all 14 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
