Knowledge Base

Yes. Complex residential and commercial dock approvals will involve the Conservation Commission, Harbormaster, Department of Environmental Protection, and Army Corps of Engineers. For small-scale residential systems used by most homeowners, the Commission and Harbormaster have simplified the permitting process. Speak with the Harbormaster to determine the feasibility of installing a dock on you property, including any safety requirements that must be met. Once you have an idea of the layout needs for your system, it is recommended that you review the standard design stipulations used by the Commission for permitting such projects. It is also recommended at that time that you schedule a site meeting with a Conservation Department staff member to review your intended system layout, as well as your existing site conditions. This meeting serves as a preliminary checkpoint as to whether or not your system can reasonably meet the standard design stipulations. If it can, the staff member will be able to review the Request for a Determination of Applicability permitting process with you. This application typically requires a sketch of the system intended to be installed. If you ask the staff member, he or she may be able to provide an example sketch taken from past permitted projects. If the intended system cannot reasonably meet the standard design stipulations, the more complex Notice of Intent permitting process may be necessary for your project.