If you are planning an addition, new home, driveway, patio, or other construction project in Massachusetts, you may discover that your town requires a stormwater permit before it will issue a building permit. This requirement can come as a surprise, especially when stormwater management was not part of your original project plans.

However, stormwater permitting is becoming increasingly common as Massachusetts municipalities strengthen their local stormwater regulations.

Why Does Stormwater Need to Be Addressed Before Construction?

When a property is developed, new impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, walkways, and patios prevent rainwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, the water runs off these surfaces and must go somewhere.

Without proper stormwater management, increased runoff can contribute to flooding, erosion, drainage problems on neighboring properties, and impacts to local waterways.

Many Massachusetts towns have adopted stormwater bylaws that require property owners to demonstrate how runoff from new construction will be managed on site. Depending on the municipality and project, this review may need to be completed before the building department can issue a building permit.

What Is Required for a Stormwater Permit?

Requirements vary from town to town, but a stormwater permit will typically involve a stormwater management plan prepared by a licensed professional engineer. The plan may show how runoff from new impervious surfaces will be collected, conveyed, and directed to an appropriate stormwater management system.

Soil testing may also be necessary to determine how quickly water can infiltrate into the ground and to properly design the proposed system.

Once the necessary site information and soil testing are complete, a civil engineer can prepare the stormwater management plan and submit it to the appropriate municipal department for review.

Avoid Building Permit Delays

Stormwater requirements are best addressed early in the planning process. Finding out that you need a stormwater permit only after applying for a building permit can add an unexpected step to your project and potentially delay construction.

Chongris Engineering provides stormwater engineering services for residential and commercial projects throughout Massachusetts. Our team can evaluate your project, perform the necessary engineering, prepare a stamped stormwater management plan, and coordinate with the Town throughout the permitting process.

If your building permit is being held up because you need stormwater approval, contact Chongris Engineering to discuss the next steps.