No Hampshire County permit exists for a fence; the county runs no building department. Under the state building code, 780 CMR, fences up to seven feet are exempt from a building permit, though towns still apply zoning setbacks.
Massachusetts counties issue no building permits, and Hampshire County has no government to do so, so a fence permit is always a town matter governed by the statewide building code, 780 CMR. That code exempts fences not over seven feet high from a building permit, so a standard residential fence in Northampton, Amherst, South Hadley, Belchertown, Ware, or Hadley needs no building permit. Towns still apply their zoning-bylaw setback and height rules, and work in a riverfront or wetland buffer along the Connecticut, Mill, or Fort rivers requires conservation-commission sign-off. Call Dig Safe before setting posts.
Building a fence over seven feet without a permit violates the building code and the town can order it corrected. Zoning-setback or wetland violations are enforced by the town building or conservation office.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Belchertown, MA
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See how Belchertown's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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