5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater in Bristol County follows MA Stormwater Handbook under MGL c. 131 §40 and MS4 permits. Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton operate under EPA NPDES MS4 permits with illicit discharge bylaws.
Erosion and sediment control is required for all land-disturbing activity in Bristol County. NPDES Construction General Permit applies to 1+ acre sites. Conservation Commission review triggers at wetland buffers.
Coastal development in Bristol County (Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Westport, Swansea) requires Conservation Commission review under WPA and MA CZM consistency review. Strict limits near wetlands and flood zones.
Bristol County has significant FEMA-designated flood zones along the Taunton River, Buzzards Bay coast, and Mount Hope Bay. New Bedford is protected by the Hurricane Protection Barrier (constructed 1962-1966). All participating communities must enforce floodplain overlay districts as part of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 131, § 40 – Wetlands Protection Act
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...
Grading in Bristol County requires local building/engineering permits and ConCom review near wetlands. Drainage cannot be redirected to neighboring parcels. 780 CMR controls retaining walls over 4 feet.
4 cities in Bristol County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Bristol County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Bristol County Ordinance Hub →