The State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), as the Agency promulgating the
Massachusetts State Building Code, is the “AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION” (AHJ)
regarding the interpretation of regulations of the State Building Code and has determined that it is the
responsibility of the building owner or the agent of the building owner to identify any new or newly
created bedrooms or other space USES. If submitted plans and/or narratives that describe the work
intended identify such new additions or newly created spaces as other than bedrooms then 780 CMR
3603.16.13 does not apply (note that it is the “REGULATED COMMUNITY” and not the
“REGULATOR” who identifies, on plans and/or narratives submitted as part of the building permit
application to the Building Department, if a bedroom is being added or created).