Permits & licensing in Massachusetts local government
What Massachusetts city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
4,781 Massachusetts meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Massachusetts with the most permits & licensing activity
- Nantucket County, MA (183)
- Plymouth, MA (147)
- Springfield, MA (134)
- Salem, MA (132)
- Fitchburg, MA (118)
- Springfield, MA (111)
- Dennis, MA (109)
- Franklin Town, MA (107)
- Wellesley, MA (104)
- Watertown, MA (90)
- Dartmouth, MA (87)
- Hingham, MA (85)
Latest matching meetings
License Commission to review liquor license application for Liberty & Union Alehouse
The License Commission is holding a special meeting to consider a specific licensing request. The body will determine if the applicant meets the requirements for a Section 12 license.
Zoning Board to decide on 8 cases including subdivision withdrawal
The Taunton Zoning Board of Appeals will consider multiple requests for variances and special permits at this meeting. Items include a proposed withdrawal of a variance for a 5.45-acre subdivision, conversion of a single-family to two-family dwelling, renewal of an accessory dwelling unit, and several lot division…
Liquor Licensing Board to hear manager change for Fraternal Order of Eagles
The Liquor Licensing Board will hold a public hearing to consider an application for a change of manager. The request concerns the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Inc. located at 59 Mill St.
Public hearing for new liquor license at Airport Seafood and Grill
The Liquor Licensing Board will hold a public hearing to consider an application for a new liquor license. The request is for Airport Seafood and Grill, LLC.
Public hearing on Cedar Street special permit and site plan review
The Dighton Planning Board will hold a public hearing for Cedar Street, LLC regarding a special permit and site plan review at 0 Cedar Street. The board will also consider an amendment to the Subdivision Rules and Regulations concerning stormwater detention facilities. Other agenda items include approving minutes from…
Board will consider a special permit and variance for a wall sign at 547 Main St.
The Medfield Zoning Board of Appeals will review two applications. The first is from Heather Dudko, owner Russell Palumbo, for a finding, special permit, and variance to install a wall sign reading “CITIZENS” with halo illumination on the side elevation of 547 Main St, located in the Business Zoning District…
Planning Board reviews five special permit petitions for residential and commercial use
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing to discuss special permit petitions for several properties. These include proposals for new multifamily housing and the conversion of existing structures. The board will also consider a request for illuminated signage.
No specific agenda items have been set for the Licensing Board meeting
The Marlborough Licensing Board meeting on August 5, 2026 has no listed agenda items. The agenda notes that topics are to be determined and may change. No concrete items such as rezoning, contracts, or ordinances are identified.
ZBA to hear request for boat storage shed at 257 Atlantic Ave
The Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider a special permit application. The applicant, Susan Wakeman Davis, is seeking permission to construct a boat storage shed.
Zoning Board to hear request for boat storage shed at 257 Atlantic Ave
The Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a property at 257 Atlantic Ave. The board will consider a special permit application filed by Susan Wakeman Davis.
Board to consider variance for new construction at 162 Otis Street
The Board of Zoning Appeal will hold a public hearing on two cases: a special permit for non-conforming curb cuts at 1 Corcoran Lane, and a variance for partial demolition and new construction at 162 Otis Street that would extend the building beyond allowed side setbacks. Both cases involve residential properties in…
Zoning Committee reviews two special permit applications on Chicopee St and Chester St
The Zoning Committee will consider a special permit to rezone a Business A site at 520 Chicopee Street for a mixed‑use building, including a waiver to reduce required parking from six spaces to three. The committee will also review a special permit application to operate a dog kennel at 54 Chester Street. The meeting…
ZBA continues hearing on 78-unit affordable housing project on Route 6A
The Zoning Board of Appeals is continuing a public hearing on a Comprehensive Permit (40B) application for a 78-unit affordable and moderate-income housing development at 66 & 76 Route 6A. The project includes rental and homeownership units and seeks multiple waivers from local zoning and subdivision regulations.
ZBA to hold public hearing on 116-unit rental project at 55 West Union Street
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a 40B Comprehensive Permit request for 55 West Union Street. The proposal involves a four-story elevator building on 4.9 acres. The board will also review meeting minutes from June 23 and July 14.
Committee to discuss new commercial parking permit terms
The Cambridge Commercial Parking Control Committee will meet on July 28, 2026 to discuss the interpretation of code section 10.16.60b subsection 3 and new terms and conditions for commercial parking permits. No final votes are scheduled; the items are for discussion only.
Zoning Board to consider two single-family home reconstruction requests
The Braintree Zoning Board of Appeals will consider two petitions to demolish and reconstruct single-family homes on non-conforming lots. The board will also approve its 2027 meeting schedule and review minutes from the previous meeting.
Public hearing on 4-story mixed-use building at 9-15 Main Street
The Franklin Planning Board will hold a public hearing on July 27, 2026, to consider a Special Permit and Site Plan Application for a four-story mixed-use building at 9, 13, and 15 Main Street. The applicant, Fourzol, LLC, proposes constructing the building with associated parking, landscaping, and utilities in the…
Amended permit for artificial turf field with wetland filling at 283 Gilbert St.
The Conservation Commission will consider an amended order for a large project at New England F.C. involving wetland filling and parking lot regrading for an artificial turf field. Other items include a vegetation management plan along railroad right-of-way, a Notice of Intent for a pool near wetlands, and a land…
Board of Health to review septic system plan for 52 Lakeshore Dr.
The Board of Health will meet to review a septic system plan and process permits. The board will also review bills payable and receive updates from the public health nurse, social worker, and regarding the Public Health Excellence Grant.
Board of Public Works to interview members and review utility layer licenses
The Board of Public Works will conduct interviews for board membership. The body will also consider the approval of licensed utility layers.
ZBA to hear request for pizza shop at 683-705 Turnpike Street
The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a site plan modification for a retail building and discuss two continuing permit requests. The board will also hold a discussion regarding zoning changes under Chapter 40A.
Conservation Commission reviews permits and enforcement orders
The Milford Conservation Commission will approve minutes, review reorganization, and consider multiple Notices of Intent and Certificates of Compliance for various properties. The meeting also includes public hearings on proposed projects and enforcement orders.
License Commission reviews special event and alcohol permits for city festivals
The License Commission is considering multiple applications for special event permits for amplified outdoor entertainment and one-day alcohol licenses. The body is also reviewing sidewalk stand permits for the 2026 Lowell Folk Festival and requests for public hearings on a new restaurant license and city alcohol…
Board reviews variance for Norton Ave lot split and special permit for Richmond St home
The Zoning Board of Appeals will accept the minutes from the June 25, 2026 meeting. It will consider a variance (Case #3845) to divide the lot at 660 Norton Avenue into two parcels with reduced frontage and width in the Rural Residential District. It will also consider a special permit (Case #3848) for QP Construction…
ZBA to consider pickleball court at YMCA of Greater Springfield
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing regarding a special permit for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. The board will also review an administrative amendment for Palazzesi Reality, LLC.
Special permit to convert 283 Main St. horse barn into animal rescue
The Boxford Zoning Board of Appeals will consider three special permit applications: an accessory apartment and garage at 213 Ipswich Road, an additional garage bay at 29 Berry Patch Lane, and the conversion of a horse barn at 283 Main Street into an animal rescue. The board will also discuss the Ingalls Village Way…
Special Permit amendment for 105 Pine St, Florence to change use
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing and consider two special permits. The first is an amendment for Eric Winkler at 105 Pine St, Florence to change the use and structure from principal to accessory, requiring a super‑majority vote of 3 out of 3 members. The second is a permit for Jared Starr at 32…
Commission holds Wetlands Protection Act public hearing on multiple projects
The Pittsfield Conservation Commission will conduct a Wetlands Protection Act public hearing covering several Notice of Intent applications. Items include a dam repair at 500 South Mountain Road, a ballpark reconstruction at 105 Wahconah Street, a group home on Cascade Street, a motel redevelopment at 525 Pittsfield…
License Commission to review one-day event permits and alcohol licenses
The License Commission is meeting to consider multiple requests for one-day liquor and entertainment licenses for community events. The body will also review permanent alcohol license transfers and operating hour requests for local businesses.
Commission to consider demolition waiver for 20 Washington Square building
The Worcester Historical Commission will review several historic preservation petitions, including demolition delay waivers and certificates of appropriateness. Items include a waiver to demolish the 1883 building at 20 Washington Square and approvals for roof repairs, solar panel installation, and other alterations…
Planning Board reviews special permit for mixed‑use building at 55 Tilton Ave
The Ashland Planning Board will hear two public hearings: a site‑plan and design‑plan review for a bank expansion at 2 West Union Street, and a special permit and site‑plan review for a three‑floor mixed‑use building with fourteen apartments at 55 Tilton Avenue. The board will also consider items on its task list, the…
Licensing Board to review business licenses and show cause hearings
The Licensing Board will consider several license applications for businesses on Arsenal Street, Main Street, and Mt Auburn Street. The board will also conduct show cause hearings for two entities. The meeting includes a follow-up on an incident involving Joyful Garden.
License Committee to review auto repair and business license applications
The License Committee will consider several applications for business licenses and alterations. These include changes to auto repair licenses, a home occupation license, and a hawkers and peddlers license.
Conservation Commission reviews three Notice of Intent development applications
The Bridgewater Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on three Notice of Intent applications: off Summer Street/Old State Farm Trail (Map 90 Lot 999A), 550 Curve Street (Map 78 Lot 20), and 45 Harvard Street (Map 32 Lot 101). The commission will also discuss updates on the Wells 10A/10B project at 1719…
Board to vote on replacing nonconforming house and changing use at Pine St
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on two special permit applications. One seeks to amend a permit to change use and structure from principal to accessory at 105 Pine St in Florence. The other seeks a permit to replace a nonconforming house with another nonconforming house at 32 Clark Ave.
Board to decide on 95-unit affordable housing development at 27 Kimball Road
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold hearings on a variance for a new home at 136 Haverhill Road, a finding for an addition at 10 Portsmouth Road, a continued variance and special permit to convert a home to two-family at 253 Main Street, and a continued comprehensive permit for a 95-unit cottage rental development…
Sign Advisory Council to review sign permits and enforcement
The Sign Advisory Council will meet to review temporary sign permits for properties on Main Street and Water Street, and to approve minutes from previous meetings. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom.
Select Board to review temporary sign regulations and approve liquor licenses
The Select Board will review and approve regulations and permit applications for temporary signs in the public way. The board is also considering several one-day liquor and entertainment licenses and multiple board appointments.
Council votes on sewer capacity transfers and other resolutions
The Franklin Town Council meeting on July 22, 2026 will consider several pieces of legislation, including resolutions to transfer portions of the town’s excess sewer capacity at the Charles River Treatment Plant to the towns of Millis and Medway. The agenda also includes a public hearing on the order of layout and…
Board will approve Warrant 27-01 covering $425,081 O&M and $117,075 capital costs
The Charles River Pollution Control District board will discuss revisions to its employee handbook and receive updates on the 2025 NPDES permit appeal and the aeration valve project. It will also consider the sale of capacity from Franklin to Millis. The meeting includes approval of two warrants totaling over $760,000…