This certification provides owners of small docks and piers with a simplified process for licensing these structures.
Log in links for this page
- This page, WW 24: General License Certification, is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
WW 24: General License Certification
Contacts
MassDEP Waterways Program
EEA ePLACE Help Desk
Phone
ePLACE Help Desk
Call EEA ePLACE Help Desk, ePLACE Help Desk at 844-733-7522
Open M-F 7:30 am-5:00 pm, with the exception of all Commonwealth & Federally observed holidays.
The Details of WW 24: General License Certification
What you need for WW 24: General License Certification
THIS APPLICATION PROCESS HAS CHANGED. DO NOT GENERATE A TRANSMITTAL NUMBER FOR THIS APPLICATION TYPE.
Please read all the instructions before initiating this process; do not use the old application form or public-notice forms. The Application Form (Proof of Signature) that is required to be signed by the applicant(s), property owner(s), and Zoning Official (for coastal projects) will be generated by the online system and emailed to you to be executed after the Comment Period and after submittal of the online General License Certification application and preliminary review by the Department.
This self-certification of the Chapter 91 Waterways General License provides applicants with an expedited process for authorization for certain small residential docks and piers.
The pre-application filing is required to be completed prior to initiating the public-notice process and submittal of the WW24 application. Please go to the Pre-Application Information page (link below) and complete that process before proceeding.
Pre-application form for WW24 General License Certification and WW06 Simplified License Application
The General License Certification is applicable for:
- a proposed structure
- an existing unauthorized structure
- certain previously licensed structure in need of a renewed authorization
The Chapter 91 regulations specify that if a structure meets the eligibility requirements, it is required to be authorized through the General License Certification.
The Public Notice, Planning Board Statement, and project plans are prepared, published, and distributed by the applicant prior to initiating the online application process.
Fees for WW 24: General License Certification
DO NOT GENERATE A TRANSMITTAL NUMBER FOR THIS APPLICATION TYPE.
If you pay by mail to the Lock Box, please include the Application Number provided by the ePLACE system (e.g. YY-WW25-XXXX-APP) on your check.
Please only submit the $75.00 application fee at the time of submittal.
For all General License Certifications, the application fee in the amount of $75.00 is due upon submittal of the application. In addition to the application fee, certain structures are subject to Commonwealth Occupation and Displacement Fees. Applicants will use MassDEP's fee calculators for Inland or Coastal Structures to calculate these fees and submit a copy of the calculation with the application. Upon receipt of the application, staff will review the fee calculation, and verify and request the amount due, if any.
When you open the Fee Calculator Excel spreadsheet you will need to first click on the “Enable Editing” and “Enable Content” buttons for it to function properly.
| Name | Fee | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Fee | $75 | per structure |
How to apply WW 24: General License Certification
Online through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ePLACE Citizen Access Portal:
Next steps for WW 24: General License Certification
-
Review the Instructions
- Read these instructions (linked below) for a step-by-step guide to the application process.
- Complete the Public Notice publication and mailing as described in the Instructions.
The templates for the Public Notice, Planning Board Statement, and project plans are available in the instructions document. The Public Notice and Planning Board Statement templates are also linked below.
Do not initiate the online application process until after 45 days from the publication of the public notice and completion of the mailing. - Calculate any Occupation/Displacement fees
- Prepare all supporting documents, as described in the instructions, during the comment period.
Open PDF file, 688.54 KB, Instructions: WW 24, Chapter 91 General License Certification (English, PDF 688.54 KB)Open DOCX file, 13.93 KB, WW24 Public Notice template (English, DOCX 13.93 KB)Open DOCX file, 13.29 KB, WW24 Project Statement template (English, DOCX 13.29 KB)Open XLSM file, 40.35 KB, WW 24: Coastal Structure(s) General License Fee Calculator - Tidal Waters (English, XLSM 40.35 KB)Complete the Online Application Form
The application form and all supporting documents are to be filed electronically. The EEA ePLACE instructions provide guidance for the online process.
For technical assistance regarding online filing, contact the EEA ePLACE Help Desk Team at 1-844-733-7522 or ePLACE_helpdesk@mass.gov.
Open PDF file, 2.72 MB, WW24 ePlace Instructions (English, PDF 2.72 MB)Make your payment
The application fee payment will be requested upon completion of the online application and may be paid by credit card online or by check or money order by email. If you are submitting your payment by mail, your check or money order will need to include the application number that will be emailed to you upon completion of your online application form.
Payments by mail should be sent to:
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
PO Box 4062
Boston, MA 02211You will be sent a "Proof of Signature" form via email that is required to be executed by all applicants and property owners (and the local Zoning Official for coastal projects) and uploaded to the online application file.
The Waterways Program will advise of any pending items or fees required for a complete application.
The Waterways Program will issue an Affirmation of the General License Certification.
Record your Certification and Plans at the Registry of Deeds
Once approved, the General License Certification must be recorded against the chain of title for the property at the appropriate Registry of Deeds within 60 days of issuance, and the recording information provided to the Department.
Open PDF file, 923.21 KB, ePlace Waterways Recording Information Amendment (English, PDF 923.21 KB)More info for WW 24: General License Certification
If you have a dock, pier, or structure that is located on an inland (non-tidal) waterway that is not on the Great Pond list and is not located in a jurisdictional river or stream you do not need a Chapter 91 License. See the list of Great Ponds provided here.
Downloads for WW 24: General License Certification
Open PDF file, 163.51 KB, Massachusetts Great Ponds List (English, PDF 163.51 KB)Contact for WW 24: General License Certification
Phone
ePLACE Help Desk Call EEA ePLACE Help Desk, ePLACE Help Desk at 844-733-7522Open M-F 7:30 am-5:00 pm, with the exception of all Commonwealth & Federally observed holidays.
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