Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a Permit Granting Authority which has quasi-judicial powers, meaning the Board grants relief from the Town of Hamilton Zoning Bylaws and Massachusetts Laws (MGL40A) for specific properties, acting like judges to make binding Decisions on individual cases. The Board Members are appointed by the Select Board and have all the powers, and perform all of the duties, as stated in MGL and the Zoning Bylaws. If a Decision is not recorded with the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds and/or if construction, or an approved Use, is not substantially commenced within two (2) years of the issuance of said Decision, the Decision is no longer valid. 

All written comments regarding an application submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals are part of the Public Record – For more information about the law, click this link: Massachusetts Freedom of Information & Public Record Law→

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Town of Hamilton has become aware of scam e-mails or letters sent to Applicants requesting payment for fraudulent invoices.

The Town does not charge for internal review of applications prior to the opening of a Public Hearing.

Applicants will pay the application fee prior to the Public Hearing and for certain applications, the cost of postage for mailing the Public Hearing Notice. Once the Public Hearing has been opened during a public meeting, the applicant and the Board may agree that further review of the plans/site/application is necessary, and both parties will agree to the terms to hire a consultant.

If you believe you have received one of these emails, click the following link to learn how you can report the incident: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials in Phishing Emails for Planning and Zoning Permits ⇒