Be advised starting January 1st 2018 the new 9th edition building code is effective. Building permit applications for projects utilizing eighth edition code provisions will need to be filed on or before December 31, 2017. Applications received on or after January 1, 2018, where the project has been designed to the eighth edition, shall be returned to the applicant.
More information and the unofficial copy can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/ninth-edition-of-the-ma-state-building-code
An excerpt of a recent letter from Robert Anderson, Division of Professional Licensure, Office of Public Safety and Inspections:
Please remember that the Massachusetts amendments posted on-line are unofficial versions and are meant for convenience only. (There are some spacing issues in the posted documents that make words appear to be spelled incorrectly. We are aware of the issue and are working to correct. Please pardon the inconvenience.)
Official versions of the Massachusetts amendments may be purchased from the State House Bookstore after October 20th @ Shop the Bookstore and any of the I-Codes may be purchased from the International Code Council (ICC) @ iccsafe.org.
Additionally, the ICC publishes and sells transition documents that identify changes from the 2009 to the 2015 I-Codes for those who may have interest.
International Building Code (IBC) Transition
International Residential Code (IRC) Transition.
For those interested in changes between the eighth and ninth edition versions of the code (whether through the ICC or via Massachusetts amendments), the following PowerPoint presentation materials may be helpful.
Introduction to the IRC
Introduction to the IEBC
An Overview of Massachusetts Amendments
An Introduction to Residential HVAC Systems
Cutting & Notching Requirement of the Ninth Edition