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Home : Regional Planning : Expedited Permitting
Permitting Best Practices Guidebook
The Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies has compiled "A Best Practices Guide for Streamlined Local Permitting." To create this guide, MARPA conducted a statewide municipal survey, hosted 14 permitting focus groups, conducted extensive research, and utilized the expertise of the Regional Planning Agencies throughout Massachusetts, including BRPC. The Best Practices are designed to make permitting more predictable, equitable, cost effective, and efficient while reinforcing local jurisdiction, encouraging community-supported projects, preserving local resources, and maintaining the standard of review. Please visit the Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office for more inforamtion about Expedited Permitting. Permitting Timelines Special Permits According to Massachusetts General Laws C. 40A §9, local zoning ordinances or by-laws shall provide for specific types of uses which shall only be permitted in specified districts upon the issuance of a Special Permit. Special Permit Granting Authority is often delegated to the planning board, zoning board of appeals, or Selectboard, depending on the type of use and local legislative preference. Special Permit Timeline Variances According to Massachusetts General Laws C. 40A §10, the need for a Variance occurs when a literal enforcement of a zoning ordinance or by-law would involve substantial hardship. The Zoning Board of Appeals may issue a Variance to provide relief from zoning if the desired Variance will not cause detriment to the public good, or nullify or derogate the intent of the zoning ordinance or by-law. Primarily communities permit dimensional variances although there are some communities that allow for use variances. Variance Timeline Subdivisions According to Massachusetts General Laws C. 40A §81K-81GG, otherwise known as the Subdivision Control Law, a municipality shall adopt regulations relating to the subdividing of land and the provision of public services to those new lots. The law established procedures for the submittal of subdivision proposals to the Planning Board. A preliminary plan may be submitted for consideration prior to the submittal of a definitive plan. Residential Subdivision Timeline- Preliminary Plan Submitted Residential Subdivision Timeline- Only Definitive Plan Submitted Conservation Commission Timelines Massachusetts was the first state to adopt a statewide wetlands protection law, and it remains one of the nation’s most progressive. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act establishes different types of wetlands resource areas, and creates permits and reviews required for projects affecting each. Additions to the Act over the years creating new regulations and giving local boards more authority have made conservation-related permitting more difficult to understand for both municipal boards and those seeking permits. The Conservation Commission timelines do not attempt to make any recommendations as to whether a given permit may be required, but simply seek to outline each process.
Depending on the type of work proposed, and the type of area being affected by the project, a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) may be required or suggested by the Conservation Commission. RDA Timeline
The Conservation Commission, working with the Department of Environmental Protection, may issue an Order of Conditions as part of the process for obtaining a permit for a project that alters a wetland resource area, buffer zone, or other possible projects affecting WPA defined areas. Order of Conditions Timeline to top Home Site Map Publications Contact Job Opportunities at BRPC Directions to BRPC Municipal eCenter BRPC Archive |
