Environmental Rules in Revere, MA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Revere or are thinking about moving there, environmental rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Revere has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of environmental rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Stormwater Management

Revere bans illicit discharges and connections into its municipal storm drain system under Municipal Code Chapter 13.10. The Department of Public Works and Department of Municipal Inspections enforce the rule, can issue cease-and-desist orders, suspend storm drain access without notice for imminent hazards, and bill violators three times the city's own cleanup costs.

Key details: Governing chapter: Municipal Code Chapter 13.10. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Public Works & Municipal Inspections. Penalty range: $25-$250/day or $300 general penalty. Cleanup billing: Violator billed 3x city's cleanup cost. Emergency power: DPW may suspend drain access without notice.

A written order to cease and desist comes first for most violations, but the DPW can suspend storm drain access immediately, without notice, if a discharge threatens health or the environment. Cleanup the city performs itself is billed to the violator at three times cost and can become a property lien. Separately, general penalties under Chapters 1.12 and 1.16 apply, ranging from $25 to $250 per day of a noncriminal-disposition violation up to a $300 general penalty per offense, with each day counted separately.

Compared to other cities, Revere takes a harder line on stormwater management. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Flood Elevation Requirements

Revere does not set its own freeboard number: the actual elevation standard for new construction comes from the state building code. Locally, Section 17.46.050 requires city staff to use the best available data to require elevating structures to or above base flood level, and Section 17.46.080 forces large subdivisions to submit base flood elevation studies.

Key details: Subdivision trigger: More than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less. Unmapped A Zones: Building dept. must use best available BFE data. AO/AH zones: Adequate drainage paths required around structures on slopes. FEMA notice: City must notify FEMA within six months of new data. Elevation standard source: Set by 780 CMR, not local ordinance.

Chapter 17.46 does not list a stand-alone penalty for missing base flood elevation data; enforcement runs through Title 17's general zoning provisions. Because floodplain compliance is part of the zoning title, the building inspector can withhold or revoke a permit issued without the required base flood elevation study under Sections 17.60.040 and 17.60.050, and fines reach up to three hundred dollars per day per violation under Section 17.60.090.

Boat Dock Permits

Revere does not license dock construction, but anyone setting a mooring in city waters must get a harbormaster's permit first. The harbormaster approves the exact anchorage or mooring spot for each boat and keeps a detailed registry of every mooring's owner and vessel under Revere Municipal Code Chapter 2.33.

Key details: Permit needed: Harbormaster permit required before setting any mooring. Who approves location: Harbormaster approves the anchorage or mooring spot. Records kept: Owner name, address, phone, boat length and type on file. Speed limit near moorings: Six knots within 150 feet of a mooring area. Maximum fine: Up to $300 per offense, Section 1.16.010.

Mooring without a harbormaster permit, or in a location the harbormaster has not approved, is enforced as an ordinance violation under the citywide general penalty at Revere Municipal Code Section 1.16.010: a fine of not more than three hundred dollars for each offense, with each day the unpermitted mooring remains in place counting as a separate offense. The harbormaster's office handles enforcement and can require the mooring relocated or removed.

Compared to other cities, Revere takes a harder line on boat dock permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Flood Zones

Revere requires a permit before any construction or development in its Floodplain Overlay District, which covers FEMA Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A99, V and VE under the July 3, 2024 Flood Insurance Rate Map. The City Planner serves as floodplain administrator, and applicants must also secure every other local, state and federal permit the project needs.

Key details: Permit trigger: Any construction or development in the Floodplain Overlay District. Mapped zones: Zones A, AE, AH, AO, A99, V and VE. FIRM date: July 3, 2024 FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Administrator: City Planner, designated floodplain administrator. Penalty: Up to $300 per day per violation.

A property built or altered in the Floodplain Overlay District without the required permit, or without the elevation certificate Section 17.46.030 calls for, is presumed in violation under Section 17.46.180. Because Chapter 17.46 sits within the zoning title, the building inspector can withhold or revoke permits and certificates under Sections 17.60.040 and 17.60.050, and fines run up to three hundred dollars per day per violation under Section 17.60.090.

Erosion Control

Revere requires an approved erosion and sediment control plan before any land-disturbing construction activity crosses set thresholds, under Municipal Code § 13.10.020. Grading or clearing more than 2,500 square feet (or 25% of the lot) or storing over 100 cubic yards of fill triggers the requirement, reviewed by the Department of Public Works.

Key details: Trigger threshold: Grade/vegetation change over 2,500 sq ft or 25% lot. Fill storage trigger: Over 100 cubic yards excavated material or fill. Plan reviewer: Department of Public Works. Review deadline: 90 calendar days to approve or deny. Inspection notice: 2 working days before key construction phases.

Working outside the approved erosion and sediment control plan, or without one where the site crosses the 2,500-square-foot/25%-of-lot or 100-cubic-yard thresholds, lets the superintendent of public works or director of municipal inspections halt all construction or site-alteration work until the violation is fixed. The ordinance does not set a separate dollar fine; enforcement runs through this stop-work power rather than a schedule of civil penalties.

The Bottom Line

Revere is tougher than many cities when it comes to environmental rules. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Revere, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Revere can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.