Haverhill, MA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Haverhill City Code § 116-4, Seasonal docks and moorings on Merrimack River, lets the City Council authorize seasonal docks and moorings along the Merrimack River shoreline, but the Harbormaster holds final jurisdiction over where each dock or mooring is placed for reasons of safety and navigation. Every application for a public or private dock location also needs approval from the Haverhill Conservation Commission under City Code Chapter 253, Wetlands, and MGL c. 131, § 40, the state Wetlands Protection Act, because docks disturb the riverbank and adjacent wetland resource areas.

Section 116-4B sets annual application fees by dock type and property: $100 for a seasonal mooring from public property, $300 for seasonal docking from public property, $35 for a seasonal mooring from private property, $50 for seasonal docking from private property, and $100 for commercial docking from private property. Revenue collected stays in the Haverhill Recreation Commission budget earmarked for City-owned dock and mooring maintenance. Beyond the Merrimack River docks, § 116-11 separately requires any motor-driven boat moored or docked in the City for more than two weeks in a calendar year to register with the City Treasurer, pay an annual waterways management fee of at least $20 per linear foot, rising from $3 per linear foot in 2026 to $5 in 2028, and display a waterways sticker before mooring for the season.

Violations of the dock and mooring article carry a graduated fine under § 116-5: $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $300 for a third or later offense, up to $300 per day, enforceable by state and local police, animal control officers, the Haverhill Conservation Officer, and state environmental police.