A Guide To
PERMITTING
In New Bedford
A Team Approach
In June of 2007, the City announced a two-stage initiative
to streamline the City’s permitting process making it clear
and accessible, realizing that the permitting process must be
open and transparent for citizens, while facilitating business
expansion and recruitment. To help accomplish this, a
Permitting Task Force was established to serve as “one-stop”
shop where applicants may meet with representatives from
departments that are relevant to their specific project.
The Permitting Task Force is comprised of a representative
from each city department, board and/or commission that
is regularly involved in New Bedford’s permitting approval
process. Task force pre-application meetings encourage
proactive planning with applicants and help to ensure that
projects move efficiently through the city’s permitting process.
The Permitting Task Force is primarily made up of
representatives from the following departments, boards and
commissions, as your project requires:
• PlanningBoard
• ZoningBoardofAppeals
•ConservationCommission
•HistoricalCommission
•TrafcCommission
•BuildingDepartment/InspectionalServices
•PublicSafety
•DepartmentofPublicInfrastructure
•BoardofHealth
•Licensing
•NewBedfordEconomicDevelopmentCouncil
•Anyotherboard,commissionordepartmentasneeded
The Permitting Task Force holds weekly meetings for
applicants seeking permits, for both small and large projects.
These permitting task force meetings ensure that applicants
are aware of the permits that they must apply for, in which
order they should apply, and what they need to provide to
make certain that their application(s) is complete. To set up a
task force meeting, please contact the Office of City Planning
at 508-979-1488.
Best Practices
Establish Good Communication Early on
We encourage applicants to begin working with us as early
as possible in the development of a project to establish good
communication with the nessessary city agencies to aid you
through what can be a complex and unfamiliar process. This
is critical to ensure the best means of efficiently and swiftly
navigating the permitting process are used for your project.
Create a Permitting Plan
Whether it is a small addition or a large commercial
development, using the permitting chart will guide you
through the required actions/approvals for a project prior to
submitting a formal application.
Utilize the Permitting Task Force for complex development
projects
We encourage applicants with a complex development
project to attend a pre-application meeting of the
Permitting Task Force. This allows for an informal review of
a development in its conceptual design stage, identifying
potential issues, both for the municipality, the applicant, and
impacted stakeholders.
Work with Experienced Professionals
In many cases projects have been delayed due to incomplete
or insufficient application materials being submitted. This
can become frustrating for the applicant and the agency
reviewing the application. It is important for applicant to work
with engineers, architects, and planners who have experience
with the type of project being proposed and the permitting
process.
Submit a complete application
Many projects that initially provide complete applications
often gain approval through the permitting process within a
60-daytimeframe.Howeveritshouldbenotedthatprojects
with complicated environmental constraints requiring multiple
states and federal agency review or other issues beyond the
control of the City may have an extended timeframe.
New Bedford Economic Development Council
Uniting New Bedford’s Economic Strengths
CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
MAYOR JONATHAN F. MITCHELL
An Overview
Astreamlined,transparent,andefcientpermittingprocess
is a vital component to attracting sustainable new investment
and job growth. Recognizing that the permitting process has
often be a lengthy process that have lead to unnecessary
delays and increased expenses, the City of New Bedford has
implemented an open and streamlined permitting process
that expedites all projects, both large and small, within the
city.
By creating a streamlined and fully transparent permitting
process, the city aims to foster communication between
permitting boards, commissions and developers, standardize
forms and applications, and provide the necessary resources
to aid applicants and the general public through what can be
a complex and unfamiliar process.
The purpose of this guide is to provide information that will:
•guideapplicantsandthegeneralpublicthroughthe
application and approval process
•establishachecklistofpermittinggrantingboardsand
departments and the actions that require review and
approval
•outlinethefunctionsofthePermittingTaskForce
•offersuggestedbestpractices
•provideusefullinkstoadditionalinformation
The Application &
Approval Process
Astreamlinedandfullytransparentpermittingprocessbegins
with active collaboration and communication among city
officials, permit applicants, consultants, and other community
stakeholders. The task of moderating redevelopment and
other land use changes falls to an array of regulations and
ordinances, managed largely by municipal departments,
boards, and commissions. It is our goal to approve projects
in as efficient manner as possible, and with good preparation
and communication, many projects can be approved within
60 days.
The check list that is part of this guide offers a comprehensive
guide to the City’s permitting application and approval
process since the timeframes for application review, public
hearing notices, appeal periods, and fees can vary for each
permit.
It may be utilized to create your own personal permitting plan
regardless of the size of your project and will most always
serve as the project agenda for meetings with the Permitting
Task Force.
Shouldyouhaveanyquestionsweencourageyoutocontact
the City Planning Office for assistance.
AGENCY PROJECT ACTION PERMIT/APPROVAL TIMEFRAME OTHER APPROVALS
Conservation Commission
Sarah Porter, Conservation Agent
133 William Street, Room 301
508.979.6188
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/Environmental/
EnvironmentalStewardshipMain.html
Any proposed activity in or within 100’ of
the State Resources, i.e. proposed piers,
maintenance activities, coastal revetment
Request for
Determination of
Applicability (RDA)
40-70 days No prior approvals are required.
Notice of Intent (NOI)
Certificate of Compliance
Enforcement Orders
Department of Inspectional Services
Danny Romanowicz, Commissioner
133 William Street, Room 308
508.979.1540
Danny[email protected]
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/inspectionalservices/
inspserv.html
Permits relative to the construction,
reconstruction, alteration, repair, demolition,
use, occupancy, and maintenance of all
buildings and structures
Demolition (75 years
or older)
10-60 days N/A
Driveway 5 days Site Plan review is necessary
if driveway requires more than
one curb cut (circular drive)
Foundation 10 days Approval of other departments
required prior to issue of permit
Single/Two-family 10 days Foundation, sewer and water
permits
New buildings over
2,000 sq. ft.
10 days Site Plan and/or Special
Permit approval from Planning
Board/ZBA
Wireless
communications
10 days Special Permit from ZBA
Title V 10 days N/A
Plan review for food
establishment
10 days N/A
Department of Public Infrastructure
Ronald Labelle, Commissioner
1105 Shawmut Avenue
508.961.3054
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/dpi/overview_admin.html
Construction design and inspects project
construction
Line & grade
applications
21 days Building permit
Sewer/storm drain
permits
14 days Foundation permit
Water permit 14 days Foundation permit
NPDES EPA
New Bedford Historical Commission
Anne Louro, Preservation Planner
133 William Street, Room 303
508.979.1488
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/NRHistoric/NBHC/AboutUs.html
Changes affecting the exterior of a building,
site, or structure within chapter 40C historic
district
Certificates of;
Appropriateness,
Non-applicability, or
Hardship
60 days Approval required prior to issue
of building permit
Demolition of structure 75 years old or older Determine historic
significance
10-60 days Requires city council approval
prior to issue of building permit
New Bedford Planning Board
Jill Maclean, Acting City Planner
133 William Street, Room 303
508.979.1488
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/Planning/planning.html
New development or expansion projects over
2,000 sq. ft.
Site Plan Review 60 days If parking requirements are not
met, a Special Permit is required
New development or expansion projects over
500 sq. ft. within HLS District
Site Plan Review/IPOD
Special Permit
30 days N/A
Subdivision w/ new roadway Preliminary & Definitive
Approval
45-90 days N/A
Subdivision Form A 21 days N/A
Sidewalk Cafe Outdoor Dining License 30 days N/A
Off-street parking relief Special Permit 30-60 days May be applied for concurrently
w/ site plan review
Licensing Board
Nicholas Nanopoulos, Director
133 William Street, Room 206
508.979.1457
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/licensing/licensing.html
Licensing for certain businesses, i.e.
Liquor Establishments, Restaurants
New/used car dealers, Lodging houses
Innholder, Auto body
Application submitted by
applicant
30 days Plans must be pre-approved by
DIS and the Board of Health.
Traffic Commission
Scott Downing, Executive Secretary
51 Elm Street (Elm Street Garage)
508.979.1766
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/traffic/traffic.html
Commercial curb cuts Application submitted by
applicant to Engineering
with plans
30-60 days Site Plan and/or Special Permit
approval
Zoning Board of Appeals
Jill Maclean, Acting City Planner
133 William Street, Room 303
508.979.1488
http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/Planning/planning.html
Construction that requires relief of
dimensional requirements
Variance 65 days Denial of building permit
Comprehensive Permit 65 days Denial of building permit
Special Permit 60-90 days N/A
Special Permit- Mill
Overlay District
60-90 days Project must receive prior
approval of Planning Board
THE CHECKLIST
Please note that the timeframe for approval listed is for a typical application and may vary
due to the completeness of the application package and complexity of the project.
