Filing Process 

To file a permit with the Conservation Commission, applications are due two weeks in advance of the hearing.  The list and chart below explains what else is needed and the fees that are involved.  
Please note that all permit applications under the Wetlands Protection Bylaw requires a legal notice in a newspaper.  The Ashland Conservation Commission will post this for the applicant, but the applicant is required to pay the fee for the posting.  The fee will be charged by the newspaper.  Legal notices are posted in the Metrowest Daily News. 

Applicant Checklist

For Any Permit Application:
  • 1 Copy of Notice of Intent (NOI) Abbreviated Notice of Intent (ANOI), or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD); 1 copy of Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA)
  • 1 Copy of Plans (with existing conditions,  jurisdictional areas, proposed conditions, and mitigation)
  • 1 Copy of the Narrative.  The Narrative shall describe the existing conditions, proposed conditions, mitigation measures (like erosion controls, plantings or stormwater improvement), and wetland jurisdictional areas. 
  • 1 Copy of a Locus Map
  • For NOIs, ANRADs, and ANOI: Copy of Certified Abutters List from the Assessor's Office and proof of notice to abutters
  • Issue Checks (for NOIs and ANRADs, three checks will be issued.  Two go to the Town and one goes to the state. For a Request for Determination of Applicability, one check will be issued to the Town of Ashland)
  • Submit documents, plans, and certified list to the Conservation Commission. Submit an electronic filing of all documents and plans to the Conservation Agent.  You will get a meeting date and time shortly after your complete filing. 
  • Notify abutters. 
  • At the night of the hearing, submit proof of notification to the abutters, to the Conservation Agent.
Note that one copy of all wetlands permits, documents, plans, reports, etc. must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection in Wilmington, Massachusetts.   Note that filing fees subject to the Wetlands Protection Act along with a copy of filing fee forms (generally found within permit applications) must go to a PO Box in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Applicant Documents

  1. Locus Map
  2. Ashland Local Filing Fee Calculation Worksheet
  3. Permit submittal checklist 9-13-2022

Minor Modification Policy 10/17/2022
On October 17, 2022 The Ashland Conservation Commission approved a Minor Modification Policy to address minor modifications and field changes that would be impractical to proceed with a formal Amended Order for. This policy can be accessed HERE.

Ashland Local Filing Fees

The municipal share of the State filing fee, and the local filing fee shall be written to the Town of Ashland on two separate checks. 

Local Filing Fees

Permit Type Fee Amount
Request for Determination of Applicability $125.00
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 1
  Work on an existing single family lot (pool, addition, etc.)
 $110.00
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 2
  Construction of a single family home, crossing for driveway
 $500.00 
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 3
  Commercial building, road construction, etc. 

 $1,050.00
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 4
  Crossing for development or commercial road, bridge, etc.

 $1,450.00
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 5
   Work on docks, piers, dikes, or other engineering structures in resource areas
 $4 per linear foot (not less than $100.00, 
not more than $2,000.00
Notice of Intent or Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation 
Category 6
  Resource Area Delineation Review
 $2.00 per linear foot ($200.00 maximum 
for a single family home, and $2,000 for all others. 
Request for Permit Extension $100.00
Request for Certificate of Compliance Single Family Lot $100.00 
All other lots $250.00