Building Department: (539-1443)
Inspects, verifies, and enforces compliance with the zoning bylaws, state building code requirements, final compliance review, and issuance of permits.
Planning Department: (539-1428)
Schedules meetings with the Planning Board and provides advice on application procedures.
Planning Board: (539-1428)
Reviews proposals for establishing new commercial and industrial building lots or modifying existing lot sizes or configurations. Also reviews Special Permit proposals that involve the construction of more than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area or the development of lots over 5 acres for commercial or industrial uses.
Zoning Board of Appeals: (539-1406)
Issues special permits and variances if required by zoning regulations.
Design Review Committee: (539-1443)
Performs site, sign, and building design reviews. Appointments are scheduled by the Building Department.
Board of Health: (539-1418)
Inspects septic, water, food, and special environmental conditions.
Department of Public Works: (539-1420)
Analyzes curb cuts and traffic flow.
Fire Department: (539-1454)
Inspects sprinklers, alarms, special hazardous conditions, and chemicals. Performs annual inspections for any cooking installations, black powder storage, fireworks, underground fuel storage and propane storage.
Police Department: (539-1480)
Oversees traffic and security.
Assessor's Office: (539-1410)
Provides lists of abutters required for special permits and variance applications.
Water District: (477-6767)
Determines availability and use of public water supply.
Conservation: (539-1414)
Defines natural areas such as wetlands, floodplains, ponds, streams, and dune banks (of water bodies and wetlands).
Clerk's Office: (539-1416)
Processes business registrations and provides copies of town
regulations.
The following provide more exact definitions of the boards and committees:
Enforces the zoning bylaw and special permit conditions required by Planning Board or Board of Appeals. Checks compliance with building codes, height and floor area of all buildings, use of building, number of employees, anticipated seating capacity, number of parking spaces required (where applicable) for intended use, anticipated hours of operation, and exterior facades of proposed structures, plus additions showing features and types of materials to be used. Inspects building structures, all wiring and plumbing and building permits.
Schedules meetings with the Planning Board. Can provide information on land use, population, housing, economic data, transportation (including traffic counts), natural resources, town master plans, existing and proposed developments, industrial and commercial land availability, zoning bylaws, and Planning Board regulations and procedures.
The Planning Board consists of five elected members, an appointed associate member, and a recording secretary. The Board administers applicable provisions of the Commonwealth's Subdivision and Zoning Statutes and the Town Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations. The Board reviews proposals for new commercial and industrial building lots or modifications to existing lot sizes or configurations. It reviews Special Permit proposals that involve the construction of more than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area or the development of lots over 5 acres for commercial or industrial uses. The Board works closely with the Planning Department during the review of such proposals and consults with the Building Department or other town departments to obtain specialized input as appropriate.
In addition to these regulatory activities, the Board also considers the need to modify current Town Zoning Bylaws and Subdivision Regulations and Zoning Districts, or establish new land-use regulations and zoning districts that are in the best overall interest of the community.
Individuals that are involved with commercial or industrial activities or proposals that require Planning Board review or the modification of current land-use regulations or zoning districts are encouraged to meet with the Board for informal discussions prior to filing a formal application or request. Appointments with the Board can be arranged by contacting the Planning Department.
Applicants for Special Permits, Variances, or Appeals under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A can review their applications with the Board prior to filing with the Town Clerk. Discussion time can be scheduled through the Board of Appeals office.
A Design Review Committee was established under Section 174-48 of the Zoning Bylaws to advise the Building Inspector, Planning Board, and Board of Appeals on matters of architecture and design. Site planning, exterior appearance, construction materials and finishes, parking and roadways, landscaping and site grading and building entrance and exit placementcome under the jurisdiction of the Design Review Committee. Signs in the review of applications for Special Permits and Sign Permits on commercial property are approved by this committee.
The Board of Health is mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection (DEP) to ensure that water and waste-water treatment requirements are adhered to in existing developed lots and undeveloped lots. To facilitate this process, the Board of Health routinely arranges meetings with prospective applicants and the Building Inspector, who is also the Zoning Enforcement Officer, to inform the applicant of all the requirements and to answer any questions the applicant may have.
Use of Preexisting developed lots:
Water: Is the lot serviced by town water? If not, is the well adequate for the intended use?Waste-Water: Is the lot sewered to a treatment plant? If not, is the existing septic system adequate for the intended use?
Use of Undeveloped lots:
Water: If town water is available, must connect. If not, must have a DEP approved well if servicing more than twenty-five people.Waste-Water: Must have a Board of Health approved septic system or a DEP approved connection to a treatment plant.
A more detailed list of requirements is available at the Board of Health Office.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for roads, signs and sidewalks. The department interfaces with the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Cape Cod Commission and all the Mashpee town boards.
Applications for curb cut permits for any work performed along a town-owned road are available at the D.P.W. building from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Items that need to be addressed in the permit are the expected traffic generation, proximity to other curb cuts or intersections and future plans and mitigating measures. All D.P.W. policy issues are established by the Director of Public Works and the Board of Selectmen. Snow removal services are provided by the D.P.W. on all accepted private and town-owned roads. Maintenance is provided on town-owned roads.
The Police Department does not issue permits, but offers advice on security for your business, especially during construction when the premises are not completely secured. The department is available to lend their expertise regarding traffic, traffic lights, and the general flow of traffic in and out of a new business. Consult with the department regarding advice on crime prevention.
The Mission of our Fire and Rescue Department is to minimize loss and suffering within our community. This is accomplished through education, training, and the mitigation of emergency incidents within the limit of available resources.
The department wants you to know that they are there to help you. Use their expertise to improve your business floor plan to be sure you have adequate space for a quick medical response, such as access in doors and hallways for a stretcher. They can help you place fire sprinklers in areas where damage to electronics, such as computers, may not occur. Time spent discussing potential problems will be well spent.
The following is a partial list of areas that affect businesses for which the Fire and Rescue Department requires a permit. The complete rules are available at the Fire Department, the Building Department, and at the Selectmen's office.
¥ Chemical Fire Suppression ¥ Oil Burning Equipment/Storage ¥ Propane Storage Installation ¥ Sprinkler Systems ¥ Underground Fuel Storage Tank ¥ Tank Removal ¥ Propane Storage ¥ Alarms ¥ Special Hazardous Conditions ¥ Black Powder Storage ¥ Cooking Installations
The Conservation Committee has the authority and responsibility to review activities in or within 100 feet of the following: coastal and freshwater wetlands, banks (of water bodies and wetlands), beaches, dunes, flats, water bodies (including ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries or the ocean), land under said water bodies or land subject to flooding by ground water, surface water, tidal action or coastal flowage.
The Commission's review of these activities may result in the issuance of a permit (usually with conditions), or the denial of an activity if the activity cannot meet specific performance standards. These standards are intended to protect or enhance public or private water supply, ground water, wildlife habitat, fisheries, shellfish, recreation, aquiculture and flood control, and/or to prevent erosion and/or sedimentation, storm damage, and water pollution.
10 B Cape Drive
(between the Merry Meadows Plaza and the Seafarer Restaurant on Route 28)
Issues Business Certificate-current cost is $20.00 (see Business Certificate at the end of this booklet)
* Mashpee Economic Development *
* Town of Mashpee *