Somerville, MA

Somerville issued 3,012 building permits in 2025 worth over $98M in construction value.

Permits (2025)

3,012

building permits issued

Total Value

$ 98,000,000

in construction value

Median Permit

$ 4,900

typical project cost

Population

81,360

Middlesex County

Housing Units

36,000

40% homeownership

Median Built

1921

year home built

Permit Volume — 5-Year Trend

Year-over-year building permit activity in Somerville.

2021 3,200
2022 3,100
2023 2,800
2024 2,920
2025 3,012

Permit Breakdown by Type

Electrical, building, plumbing, and mechanical permits issued in 2025.

Permit type breakdown for 2025
TypeCountShareMedianAverageCommon Range
Electrical 1,025 34 $3K $4K $1,200–$5,500
Building 905 30 $24K $38K $10,000–$70,000
Plumbing 725 24 $5K $6K $2,000–$8,500
Mechanical/HVAC 357 12 $8K $10K $4,000–$15,000

Top Contractors in Somerville

Most active contractors by permit count in 2025.

Most active contractors
Contractor Permits Avg Value Most Common
Maggiore Construction 210 $28,000 Building
Bamonte Electric Inc 175 $3,400 Electrical
F.J. LeSage Plumbing & Heating 110 $4,800 Plumbing
Century Plumbing & Heating 88 $5,500 Plumbing
Ducey Heating & Sheet Metal 72 $7,800 Mechanical/HVAC

Housing Stock

House Styles

Triple Decker 35%
Two-Family 18%
Victorian 15%
Colonial 10%
Apartment Building 8%
Cape Cod 6%
Other 8%

Age Distribution

Pre-1900 20%
1900-1930s 38%
1940s 10%
1950s 8%
1960s 6%
1970s 5%
1980-1990s 6%
2000-Present 7%
1,200 Median sq ft
0.06 Median lot size (acres)

Energy Rebates & Incentives

Available programs for Somerville homeowners.

Home Energy Assessment

Free

Provider: Mass Save

Eligibility: All homes

Learn more →

Heat Pump Rebate

Up to $10,000

Provider: Mass Save

Eligibility: Oil/propane to heat pump conversion

Learn more →

Multifamily Weatherization

Up to $15,000

Provider: Somerville Community Corp

Eligibility: Income-eligible Somerville residents

Learn more →

Electrical Panel Upgrade Rebate

Up to $2,000

Provider: National Grid

Eligibility: Single and multi-family

Learn more →

EV Charger Rebate

Up to $700

Provider: Eversource

Eligibility: Single-family homes

Learn more →

Nearby Towns

See your house's full history

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many building permits were issued in Somerville MA in 2025?

3,012 permits were issued in Somerville, MA in 2025, with a total construction value of $98M. Electrical permits were the most common at 1,025, reflecting the city's aging infrastructure.

How old is the average home in Somerville MA?

Somerville has the oldest housing stock in Massachusetts with a median year built of 1921 — over 104 years old. Nearly 60% of homes were built before 1940.

What is the most common house style in Somerville MA?

Triple deckers are the most iconic and common housing style in Somerville at 35% of all housing units. Two-family homes account for 18%, and Victorians for 15%.