2 Burts Pit Road DenialMark A. Tanner, Esq.
57 Center Street
Northampton, MA 01060
re: 661 Westhampton Road
Map-Lot 42-044
July 2, 2019
Attorney Tanner,
We received 2 building permit applications for work on the single family house at 661 Westhampton Road. Neither permit application indicated that the house was intended to be a group
residence. I have not done the final building inspection or issued a certificate of occupancy for the house.
After consulting the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards and as advised by the Chief of Inspections, it is my determination that the house requires a sprinkler
system. I have excerpted relevant sections of the 9th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR below. I have also included an email from the chief of Inspections.
R102.2.1 DDS Facilities. Additional building features required by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”) do not change the classification of residences operated
or licensed by DDS as dwellings subject to 780 CMR.
308.3.4 Five or fewer persons receiving custodial care. A facility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as Group R-3 or shall comply with the International
Residential Code provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with section 903.3.1.3.
EXCEPTION: DDS group home facilities of five or fewer persons receiving custodial care. See section 310.5.
310.5 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-4 or I, including:
1. Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units;
2. Boarding houses (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants;
3. Boarding houses (transient) with tenor fewer occupants;
4. Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care;
5. Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants;
6. Congregate living facilities (transient) with tenor fewer occupants;
7. Lodging houses; and
8. DDS facilities in conformance with the occupant safety requirements of 115 CMR 7.00: Standards for All Services and Supports.
Respectfully,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
(413) 587-1240
cc: BBRS Chief Inspector Robert Anderson, State Inspector Louise Vera, Mayor of Northampton