What activities require Inland Wetlands approvals?

Inland Wetlands regulates activities proposed in an inland wetland or watercourse and within 75’ (or an upland review area) of wetlands or watercourses. The location of the proposed activities in relation to the wetlands may be determined in the Inland Wetlands Office. While there may not be wetlands on your property, wetlands located on an adjacent property may require review of your proposed activity.

Inland Wetlands regulates any activities proposed involving:

• The storage, removal, or deposition of material,
• Any obstruction, construction, alteration or pollution of a wetland or watercourse
• Any earth moving, filling, construction
• Clear-cutting of trees
• Discharging of waters

Within the 75’ upland review areas the intent is to review the proposed activity and to apply only such restrictions as are needed to avoid adverse impacts in the inland wetlands and watercourses and are not intended to be exclusionary setbacks. Inland Wetlands may rule that any activity in any non-wetland or non-watercourse area impacts or has the potential to impact or affect wetlands or watercourses and therefore is a regulated activity.

Inland Wetland approval is required before obtaining a Zoning permit.

The following permit activities do not require Inland Wetland approval:

• Interior renovations that do not alter the exterior of the structure
• Re-roofing, re-siding, or door/window replacement (except for changes in size or projection, which do require review)

Inland Wetlands is available to review proposals and plans prior to submission of an application to determine the level of permitting required and what information will be necessary to review the application.