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.
9,332 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 (184)
- Taunton, MA (167)
- Plymouth, MA (150)
- Salem, MA (136)
- Springfield, MA (136)
- Yarmouth, MA (132)
- Orleans, MA (128)
- Fitchburg, MA (123)
- Harwich, MA (119)
- Attleboro, MA (116)
- Dennis, MA (116)
- Tewksbury, MA (115)
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…
ZBA to decide on illuminated Citizens Bank sign at 547 Main St
The Medfield Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a remote meeting on October 14, 2026, to consider a request for a special permit and/or variance to install an illuminated wall sign reading 'CITIZENS' on the side of the building at 547 Main St. The application, continued from August 12, 2026, is the only substantive…
Board to review special permit for Spruce Street addition after denial
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a public meeting to consider an application for a special permit for a property at 37 Spruce Street. The applicant seeks to build a one-and-a-half-story addition and a side deck, but the project was previously denied because it would extend an existing setback…
Planning Board to hold hearings on sign, nonconformity, and clean energy zoning changes
The Northampton Planning Board, with the City Council Committee on Legislative Matters, will hold public hearings on three proposed zoning amendment packages. These amendments address sign regulations, pre-existing nonconformities, and small clean energy infrastructure permitting, each to comply with recent court…
Board of Zoning Appeal to hear three residential zoning cases on Sept 24
The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal will hold a virtual public hearing on September 24, 2026, to decide three residential zoning cases involving special permits and variances for non-conforming structures in C-1 zones.
Wings Over Somerville seeks 2am operating hours license
The Licenses and Permits Committee will hold a public hearing on a new extended operating hours license for Wings Over Somerville at 519 Somerville Avenue, allowing in-store, take-out, and delivery service until 2am. The committee will also vote on approving the minutes from its June 24, 2026 meeting.
Lenox Planning Board hearing on zoning bylaw amendments for Nov. Town Meeting
The Lenox Planning Board will hold a public hearing to present and receive comments on proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments slated for the November 5, 2026 Special Town Meeting warrant. The amendments revise definitions, dimensional requirements, use regulations, and parking/sign rules, and add a new limited site plan…
Public hearing on McDonald's land disturbance permit for 9 Taunton Street
The Plainville Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing to consider McDonald's Corporation's application for a Land Disturbance Permit for rebuilding its restaurant at 9 Taunton Street, including site and stormwater improvements. The hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2026 at 5:30 pm at Plainville Town…
Planning Board to hear McDonald's rebuild at 9 Taunton Street
The Plainville Planning Board will hold a public hearing on September 21, 2026, to consider McDonald's Corporation's application for a Special Permit and Site Plan Review to rebuild the existing restaurant at 9 Taunton Street. The Special Permit is needed for a reduction in the front yard setback. The hearing will…
ZBA to hear special permit and variance requests for 224 Perry Hill Road
The Acushnet Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider two requests from Nathan J. and Karissa E. Deree for property at 224 Perry Hill Road. The first is a new application for a special permit to allow three commercial vehicles instead of one. The second is a continued variance request from June…
Planning Board to hold joint hearing on data center ban, rezoning, overlay changes
The Newburyport Planning Board will hold a joint public hearing with the City Council Planning & Development Committee to consider three zoning amendments: adding data centers to prohibited uses, rezoning 10 Woodman Way to R3, and extending the Demolition Control Overlay District to former Federal Street Overlay…
ZBA to hear two special permit requests for nonconforming stairs/deck
The Pittsfield Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on September 16, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. to consider two special permit applications under Article 23 Section 8.3 of the Zoning Ordinance. Both requests involve work on nonconforming residential structures: one for reconfiguring and replacing stairs within a…
Conservation Commission to hear wetland permit for Wood Hill Rd driveway
The Monson Conservation Commission is holding a public hearing on a Notice of Intent for a driveway and stormwater management in a wetland buffer zone on Wood Hill Road, and continuing a hearing on a bridge over an intermittent stream on East Hill Road. The commission will also review extension and compliance…
Planning Board to hold public hearings on two special permit/site plan reviews
The Dighton Planning Board will hold a regular meeting and public hearing on September 16, 2026. They will review and possibly act on a Form A application for 620 Spring Street, discuss a stormwater committee request regarding EPA Construction General Permit documentation, and hold public hearings for special permit…
ZBA continues hearing on 40-home Woodland Ridge 40B project
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public continuation hearing on a 40B Comprehensive Permit application for Woodland Ridge, a 40-home subdivision on 45.5 acres at 24 Bancroft Street. The proposal includes 10 affordable units. The board will also vote on minutes from four prior meetings.
Conservation Commission to hear five wetland notices of intent
The Newburyport Conservation Commission is meeting to decide on certificates of compliance and hold public hearings on five Notices of Intent for projects affecting wetlands. The agenda also includes approval of minutes and correspondence about utility maintenance on Harbor Street.
FCAT board to approve FY-27 budget, discuss grants for creators
The Frontier Community Access Television (FCAT) Board of Directors will meet to approve the FY-27 budget, review the general manager's reports, and discuss several operational items including license negotiations, a potential grant program for content creators, installing electricity at Frontier Regional School, and…
Board of Appeals to hear special permit for second-story addition at 24 Bassett St.
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting to consider a special permit application from James & Ann O'Connor for a second-story addition and deck at 24 Bassett Street. The proposed work would exceed required setbacks, so a special permit is needed. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom.
Board to weigh special permit for garage expansion at 2 Andrews Road
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals is holding a public meeting to consider a special permit application from David and Kelly Twitchell for property at 2 Andrews Road. The applicant seeks to build a second story on an existing detached garage, which would exceed the town's side setback and height limits. The building…
ZBA to hear special permits for boat shed expansion and garage in floodplain
The Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on two special permit applications: one to expand a boat storage shed at 257 Atlantic Ave and another to construct an attached garage within the Floodplain & Watershed Protection Overlay District at 121 Jerusalem Road. The board will also receive an update…
Planning Board to hold public hearing on Babe's Lawn Care special permit
The Warren Planning Board will hold a public hearing on September 14, 2026, to consider a special permit and site plan approval for Babe's Lawn Care Inc. The applicant seeks to operate a landscaping and construction business with equipment storage on Brimfield Road in the Rural district. The board is acting as the…
ZBA to hear special permit for attached garage at 121 Jerusalem Road
The Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid public hearing on September 14, 2026, to consider a special permit application by Harry J. Judd Jr. and Peter R. Mallen for the property at 121 Jerusalem Road. The applicant seeks to construct an attached garage to the existing nonconforming structure. The…
Cohasset ZBA to hear special permit for attached garage at 121 Jerusalem Road
The Cohasset Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid public hearing on September 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. to consider a special permit application by Harry J. Judd Jr. & Peter R. Mallen for the property at 121 Jerusalem Road (Assessor's Parcel ID: D3-20-014). The applicant seeks to construct an attached garage to an…
Maynard By-law Committee to review automatic license plate reader bylaw
The Maynard By-law Committee will hold a virtual meeting on September 10, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. to review and vote on minutes from the last meeting, hear the chairman’s report, and discuss the Automatic License Plate Readers Bylaw. No in-person attendance will be permitted, but the public can join via Zoom.
Conservation Commission to hear multiple wetland permit applications
The Stoughton Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on several Notices of Intent for projects affecting wetlands, including building additions, new dwellings, a road layout, and a new religious facility. The commission will also discuss correspondence, certificates of compliance, and land management items.
Planning Board to review ADU site plans and fire station proposals
The Milton Planning Board is meeting to review two Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) site plans, a special permit modification, and discuss the Economic Development Plan and East Milton Fire Station proposals. The meeting is a hybrid public meeting with remote access options.
Zoning Board to decide on surf park and accessory dwelling permits
The Middleborough Zoning Board of Appeals will continue hearings on two special permit requests: one for a 20-acre surf park with 35 hotel units off East Grove Street, and another for a second accessory dwelling unit at 321 Wareham Street. A new hearing will also be held for a 100’x82’ metal addition at 98 West Grove…
Conservation Commission to hold public hearings on Populatic Street projects
The Franklin Conservation Commission is meeting to continue public hearings on three Notices of Intent, including properties at 110 and 78 Populatic Street and an emergency culvert replacement on Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street. The agenda also includes general business items such as minor buffer zone activities, a…
Planning Board to hold hearings on Washington St special permit and zoning text change
The Braintree Planning Board will hold new public hearings on a special permit and site plan review for 335 Washington Street, a proposed zoning ordinance text amendment, and the acceptance of Allen Street. It will also continue hearings on several other applications, including 60 Columbian Street and 1157 Washington…
Conservation Commission to review Costco fuel facility, Main St. projects
The Avon Conservation Commission is meeting to discuss and vote on several wetland-related permits and projects. Key items include an update on the Costco fuel facility at 105 Stockwell Dr., revised plans for 273 Main St., and approval of Orders of Conditions for properties on Main and West Main Streets. The…
Planning Board to continue hearing on 14-unit mixed-use building at 55 Tilton Ave
The Ashland Planning Board will hold a public hearing, continued from a prior session, on a special permit and site plan review for a three-floor mixed-use building with 14 apartments and two flex-space contractor bays at 55 Tilton Avenue. The board will also discuss the Open Space and Recreation Plan draft, data…
ZBA to hear four zoning appeals, including coastal resiliency and height variance
The Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting to consider four new applications: a special permit modification, two variances, and a height variance. The board will also discuss changes to variance standards under Chapter 40A, Section 10, and schedule its next regular meeting.
License Commission to hear 9 one-day liquor/entertainment requests and 15 license changes
The Worcester License Commission will hold a public meeting on September 10, 2026, to consider a range of license requests, including one-day liquor and entertainment permits for events, changes of managers and officers for existing licensees, and new license applications. The agenda also includes status hearings for…
Conservation Commission to review two home construction proposals and bridge project
The Montague Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on two Notices of Intent for residential construction projects, one on Meadow Road and one on Randall Road, both involving work in protected wetland and riverfront areas. The commission will also discuss a joint water quality certification application for…
Historical Commission to review permits, West School, artifacts, cemetery mapping
The Stow Historical Commission is meeting to approve minutes and the treasurer's report, review building permits, and receive updates on the Community Preservation Commission, West School, Stow's artifacts, plaques, and the cemetery mapping project. The agenda is mostly routine administrative and project updates, with…
BZA to hear special permit for 7th Street Burger and variance for hotel at 127 Mt. Auburn St.
The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal will hold a virtual public meeting on September 10, 2026, to consider two cases. The first is a special permit request for a quick-service food establishment (7th Street Burger) at 37 Brattle Street, which would be a formula business. The second is a variance request for a property…
ZBA to hear four requests: salon, lot split, apartment conversion, second-floor addition
The Milford Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Room 3 of Town Hall. The board will consider four applications: a special permit for a beauty salon, a variance to divide a lot, a special permit to convert office space into apartments, and a special permit for a…
ZBA to hear special permit for two-story addition at 39 Frothingham St
The Milton Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting on September 10, 2026, to consider a special permit application from Zachary and Alexa Rouleau for a two-story addition, breezeway, and garage at 39 Frothingham Street. The proposed construction would violate required side and rear setbacks in the Residence…
Zoning Board to hear storage facility, home additions, and demolitions
The Wakefield Zoning Board of Appeals meets to continue hearings on a self-storage facility special permit, demolitions, and home additions, and to open new hearings on two residential projects. The board will also discuss a Conservation Commission wetland bylaw proposal and minor modifications for several properties.