Dock, pier and float rules in Scituate, Massachusetts
A private, non-commercial dock, pier or float can be built in Scituate, but because it alters land under water or within 100 feet of the shore, it needs Conservation Commission approval under the town's wetlands bylaw, plus a state Chapter 91 license. Bottom-anchored floats and rafts instead need an annual mooring permit from the Harbormaster. The bylaws we reviewed set no specific size limit for private docks.
| Conservation Commission | Notice required to alter land under water or within 100 ft of a bank, beach, marsh or water body [1] |
| Saltmarsh and Tideland (D) District | Only non-commercial docks, catwalks, wharves or floats may be built [2] |
| Bottom-anchored floats and rafts | Annual Harbormaster permit (from a waiting list) [4] |
| Moorings | Mooring Permit from the Harbormaster each calendar year; one mooring per person [5] |
| Mooring application fee | $20 [6] |
| Size limits for private docks | None found in the local bylaws [2] |
Conservation Commission review
Scituate's Wetlands Protection By-law requires anyone who will remove, fill, dredge or alter land in or within 100 feet of a bank, beach, dune, flat, marsh or water body, any land under those waters, or land subject to tidal action, to first file a notice with the Conservation Commission [1]. A pile-supported dock or pier built from your shoreline falls under this rule, so expect a Notice of Intent, a public hearing and an Order of Conditions. The Commission's regulations also protect coastal banks, dunes and salt marsh, and work on a coastal bank or within 100 feet of its top must not undermine the bank (see Building Near the Water).
Zoning
Much of Scituate's marsh and tideland is in the Saltmarsh and Tideland Conservation (D) District, where no structure may be built except non-commercial docks, catwalks, wharves or floats, and no filling or dredging is allowed except by or under a government agency or by Board of Appeals special permit [2]. A commercial livery or mooring business needs a special permit in residential districts [3]. We found no local length, width or square-footage limit for private docks.
Floats, rafts and moorings
The Harbormaster issues annual permits for bottom-anchored moorings, floats or rafts from a waiting list [4]. No one may moor a boat or set a mooring in Scituate waterways without a Mooring Permit obtained each calendar year, and a person may own only one mooring (commercial fishermen and mooring services may hold more) [5]. To join the waiting list you file the town's Mooring Permit Application with a $20 fee [6]. Once a dock is approved, whoever builds it must notify the Harbormaster at least two weeks before bringing marine equipment into Scituate waters [7].
State and federal permits
A permanent or seasonal dock in tidal water also needs a Chapter 91 waterways license from MassDEP and may need U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval (see state rules on this page). The Commission's wetlands regulations we reviewed date from July 2021.
See how Scituate compares with 8+ other Massachusetts towns on docks, piers & floats →
Next steps
- Contact the Conservation Commission early to discuss the dock location and file a Notice of Intent with plans showing the resource areas, coastal bank and salt marsh.
- Apply to MassDEP for a Chapter 91 license (and check whether the Army Corps needs to review the project).
- Once permits are in hand, have your marine contractor notify the Harbormaster at least two weeks before work starts on the water.
- For a bottom-anchored float, raft or mooring instead of a pile dock, file a Mooring Permit Application with the Harbormaster ($20) and renew every year.
Common questions
- Can I build a private dock in Scituate, Massachusetts?
- Yes, a private, non-commercial dock, pier or float can be built. It needs Conservation Commission approval under the wetlands bylaw, plus a state Chapter 91 license.
- Are there size limits for docks in Scituate, Massachusetts?
- The bylaws reviewed set no specific size limit for private docks.
- Do I need a permit for a floating dock or raft in Scituate, Massachusetts?
- Bottom-anchored floats and rafts need an annual permit from the Harbormaster, from a waiting list.
- Do I need a mooring permit in Scituate, Massachusetts?
- Yes. A Mooring Permit from the Harbormaster is needed each calendar year, with one mooring per person. The application fee is $20.
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. 30710 (Local Wetlands Protection By-law, Purpose), Code of General Bylaws (revisions voted at ATM April 13, 2026; AG approved July 9, 2026), p. 70
No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any of the following resource areas: in or within one hundred (100) feet of any freshwater wetland, coastal wetland, marsh, wet meadow, bog or swamp; in or within one hundred (100) feet of any bank, beach, dune, or flat; in or within one hundred (100) feet of or any lake, river, pond, stream, creek or estuary; or any land under said waters; or on any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage or flooding, without first filing written notice of their intention so to remove, fill, dredge, or alter by sending a separate letter, by certified mail, to Scituate Conservative Commission at least 21 days prior to any hearing for removing, filling, dredging or altering.
- Sec. 460.1 (Saltmarsh and Tideland Conservation District), Zoning Bylaw (including changes approved by April 13, 2026 Annual Town Meeting; AG approved July 9, 2026), p. 34
In a D District no structure shall be erected except non-commercial docks, cat walks, wharves or floats, nor may any area within said district be filled, drained, dredged or excavated except by or under the direction of any Federal, State, County or town agency or as otherwise provided in Subsection 460.2, hereof.
- Sec. 420 (Table of Use Regulations, 3.G), Zoning Bylaw (including changes approved by April 13, 2026 Annual Town Meeting; AG approved July 9, 2026), p. 24
G. Commercial livery or mooring for marine SP SP SP Y pleasure craft with no fueling or repair services
- Mooring Rules & Regulations, Mooring Assignment Procedure (Purpose), Harbormaster Mooring Rules & Regulations (approved May 26, 2026), p. 2
PURPOSE: The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the fair and equitable assignment of annual permits from a waiting list for the placement and temporary use of bottom anchored moorings, floats, or rafts.
- Sec. 30920(B) (Mooring Permits), Code of General Bylaws (revisions voted at ATM April 13, 2026; AG approved July 9, 2026), p. 74
B. Mooring Permits: No person shall moor any boat or shall place any block, chain, pennant or other mooring device within the limits of Scituate waterways without first obtaining a Mooring Permit from the harbor master. Such permit must be obtained for each calendar year and a mooring fee,set by the Select Board, shall be paid for said permit to the harbormaster on a form prescribed by the Select Board.
- Mooring Rules & Regulations, A. Waiting List, Harbormaster Mooring Rules & Regulations (approved May 26, 2026), p. 2
The applicant must indicate the boat size range on the application. The application fee of $20.00 must accompany the application.
- Mooring Rules & Regulations, Commercial Marine Construction Equipment (B), Harbormaster Mooring Rules & Regulations (approved May 26, 2026), p. 7
Residents or contractors conducting private pier, dock, wharf, dredging or marine work shall notify the Harbormaster no later than two weeks prior to entering Scituate Waterways to arrange for proper mooring/dockage.