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Getting Started with a Building Project

Considerations

Will your site support it?

If you are putting something new on your property (as opposed to changing something inside your building), you may need to look at:

  • Setbacks
  • Location of wetlands
  • Location of well and septic

Will your septic support it?

Septic size is based on number of bedrooms. If you are adding a bedroom, you should reach out the Board of Health before you proceed.

Approvals needed for a building permit

  • Board of Health (for well and septic issues)
  • Conservation Commission (for any wetland issues)
  • Building Commissioner (for zoning and building code issues)

What do you want to do?

New home

  • You need to ensure you meet setback requirements
  • You will need an approved septic design
  • What about the well????
  • If the home will contain an ADU, see the section on ADUs
  • You will need a building permit and, most likely, a Private Entrance / Driveway permit

Addition

  • If your addition doesn't meet setback requirements, you may need a Special Permit (from the Planning Board) or a Variance (from the Zoning Board of Appeals)
  • If you are adding a bedroom, you will need an approved septic design
  • If the addition is for an ADU, see the section on ADUs below
  • You will need a building permit

Renovation

  • If you are adding a bedroom, you will need an approved septic design
  • If the renovation is for an ADU, see the section on ADUs below
  • If the renovation is for a Single to Multi-Family Conversion, see the section on Conversions
  • You will need a building permit

Garage, Barn or other building

  • If your building doesn't meet setback requirements, you may need a Special Permit (from the Planning Board) or a Variance (from the Zoning Board of Appeals)
  • If the building will contain an ADU, see the section on ADUs below
  • You will need a building permit
  • You may need a Private Entrance / Driveway permit if you are adding a driveway

ADU (accessory dwelling unit)

You will need a site plan review from the Planning Board before you get a building permit. That and other concerns are covered in ADU FAQs.

Single to multi-family conversion

You will need a site plan review from the Planning Board before you get a building permit. That and other concerns are covered in Single to Multi-Family Conversion FAQs.

Bed and Breakfast

You will need a site plan review from the Planning Board before you get a building permit. That and other concerns are covered in Bed and Breakfast FAQs.

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