Environmental Rules in Fall River, MA (2026)
3 verified environmental rules for Fall River, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Erosion Control
Clearing, grading, or excavating one acre or more that drains to Fall River's storm sewer system requires a stormwater management permit from the Site Plan Review Committee before work starts.
Fall River Grading & Drainage Permit
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 74-147(A)
No person may undertake a construction activity, including clearing, grading and excavation that results in a land disturbance that will disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land or will disturb less than one acre of land but is part of a larger common plan of development or sale that will ultimately disturb equal to or greater than one acre of land draining to the Fall River municipal ...
Flood Zones
Fall River's Floodplain Overlay District includes all FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas (Zones A, AE, AO, VE) on the city's Flood Insurance Rate Map. The Inspector of Buildings serves as the Floodplain Administrator. Floodplain regulations take precedence over any less restrictive local laws.
Fall River Flood Zone Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 131, Sec. 40 (Wetlands Protection Act — Land Subject to Flooding)
No person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter any bank, riverfront area, fresh water wetland, coastal wetland, beach, dune, flat, marsh, meadow or swamp bordering on the ocean or on any estuary, creek, river, stream, pond, or lake, or any land under said waters or any land subject to tidal action, coastal storm flowage, or flooding, other than in the course of maintaining, repairing or replacin...
Boat Dock Permits
In Fall River, Massachusetts, floats and docks placed in city waters need their own permit from the Harbormaster, separate from any boat mooring permit.
Fall River Dock & Float Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsFall River Code § 82-67(B)
Other objects. Other objects, including but not limited to floats and rafts, shall obtain an independent permit for the mooring of each object, and no other object shall be placed on that mooring without written permission by the Harbormaster. C. Permits and forms. The Harbormaster may develop a mooring permit and any additional forms for purposes of implementing the provisions of this artic...
Looking for Bristol County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fall River city rules.
Environmental Rules in Bristol County →