Dock, pier and float rules in Medford, Massachusetts
Medford has no dock or harbor ordinance, but its Wetlands Ordinance (Chapter 87) requires a Conservation Commission permit to build anything in or over a river, pond, bank or land under water, including driving piles or placing objects in the water. Docks on a river also face a strict test: you must show there is no practicable alternative with less impact.
| Local dock ordinance | None found; the Wetlands Ordinance (Ch. 87) applies [1] |
| Work that needs a permit | Driving piles, building or repairing any structure, placing objects in water [2] |
| Who approves | Conservation Commission, after a public hearing [3] |
| Riverfront test (within 200 ft of a river) | No practicable alternative and no significant adverse impact [4] |
| Permit lifespan | 3 years [5] |
| Fine for violations | Up to $300 per offense; each day is a separate offense [6] |
No dock-specific rules
The Medford ordinances we reviewed (zoning, the Wetlands Ordinance and other chapters) have no harbor, waterways or dock section and set no dock size or length limits. A dock, pier or float is regulated through the Wetlands Ordinance (Chapter 87), administered by the Conservation Commission.
Why a dock needs a wetlands permit
The ordinance bars anyone from filling, dredging, building upon or otherwise altering rivers, streams, ponds of any size, banks, beaches and lands under water bodies without Commission approval [1]. Its definition of "alter" includes driving piles and building or repairing structures of any kind [2], and placing obstructions or objects in water. So pile-supported docks, floats and their repair all need a permit.
You apply in writing to the Conservation Commission, notify abutters, and go through a public hearing. The Commission then issues a permit with conditions it considers necessary to protect the resource, or denies it [3]. For areas within 200 feet of a river, no permit can allow the work unless you prove there is no practicable alternative with less adverse effect and that the project will have no significant adverse impact [4]. Permits expire after 3 years [5] and must be recorded at the registry of deeds before work starts. Violations can bring restoration orders and fines of up to $300 per offense, with each day a separate offense [6].
State and federal approvals
The Commission can combine its review with the state Wetlands Protection Act filing. Separate state waterways licensing and federal approvals may also apply to a dock; see the state rules section.
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Next steps
- Contact the Medford Conservation Commission before designing a dock, pier or float, and ask for its wetlands regulations and filing fee.
- File a permit application under Chapter 87 (often together with a Notice of Intent under the state Wetlands Protection Act), with plans of the structure and the resource areas.
- Ask MassDEP's Waterways Program whether the dock also needs a Chapter 91 license, and check federal Army Corps requirements.
- Record the Commission's permit at the registry of deeds and notify the Commission in writing before construction.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit to build a dock in Medford, MA?
- Yes. Medford has no dock ordinance, but its Wetlands Ordinance (Chapter 87) requires a Conservation Commission permit, after a public hearing, to build anything in or over a river, pond, bank or land under water, including driving piles or placing objects in the water.
- Can I build a dock on the Mystic River in Medford, Massachusetts?
- Only if you pass a strict test. Within 200 feet of a river, you must prove there is no practicable alternative with less adverse effect and no significant adverse impact. State waterways and federal approvals may also apply.
- How long is a dock permit good for in Medford, MA?
- Conservation Commission permits expire after 3 years and must be recorded at the registry of deeds before work starts. Violations can bring fines of up to $300 per offense, with each day a separate offense.
Massachusetts state rules for docks and piers
A private dock in Massachusetts usually needs several layers of approval beyond local zoning.
Chapter 91 waterways license (MassDEP): any structure, regardless of size, permanent or seasonal, in tidal waters, in a great pond (a pond over 10 acres in its natural state), or in certain navigable rivers needs Chapter 91 authorization (M.G.L. c. 91; 310 CMR 9.00). For small residential docks there are simpler routes:
- a General License certification for pile-supported residential docks, piers, ramps and floats with no fill or dredging, outside ACECs and Designated Port Areas (310 CMR 9.29)
- a Simplified License for residential docks up to 600 sq ft below the high-water line (310 CMR 9.10)
Licenses must be recorded at the Registry of Deeds, and Chapter 91 protects public rights to fish, fowl and navigate.
Conservation Commission: dock work in or near wetlands, banks or land under water needs an Order of Conditions under the Wetlands Protection Act (c. 131, §40).
Harbormaster: bottom-anchored moorings, floats and rafts (no pilings) can be authorized by an annual permit from the local harbormaster instead of a Chapter 91 license (c. 91, §10A). Mooring fees can't discriminate based on residence.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: work in navigable waters may also need federal approval. Small private piers and floats are often covered by the Corps' Massachusetts General Permits, which can involve self-verification or pre-construction notification.
What the bylaw says
- Sec. 87-32, Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
Except as permitted by the conservation commission or as provided in this article, no person shall commence to remove, fill, dredge, build upon, degrade, discharge into, or otherwise alter the following resource areas: any freshwater wetlands; marshes; wet meadows; bogs; swamps; vernal pools; isolated vegetated wetlands; bordering vegetated wetlands; banks; reservoirs; lakes; ponds of any size; rivers; streams; creeks; beaches; lands under water bodies;
- Sec. 87-40 (Alter), Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
Driving of piles, erection, expansion or repair of buildings, or structures of any kind
- Sec. 87-38, Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
If it issues a permit, the commission shall impose conditions that it deems necessary or desirable to protect those values, and all activities shall be done in accordance with those conditions.
- Sec. 87-38, Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
In the review of areas within 200 feet of rivers, no permit issued hereunder shall allow any activities unless the applicant, in addition to meeting the otherwise applicable requirements of this article, has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) there is no practicable alternative to the proposed project with less adverse effects, and that (2) such activities, including proposed mitigation measures, will have no significant adverse impact on the areas or values protected by this article.
- Sec. 87-38, Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
A permit shall expire three years from the date of issuance.
- Sec. 87-42, Revised Ordinances Chapter 87 - Wetlands (Municode), p. 1
Any person, who violates any provision of this article, or regulations, permits, or administrative orders issued thereunder, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300.00.