Permit Filings & Procedures - Stormwater

When to File a Stormwater Permit?

A stormwater permit shall be required prior to initiating any land "alteration" activities which encompass 1 acre (43,560 sf). The redevelopment of existing impervious surfaces and new land disturbance (i.e. but not limited to, New Construction, Ground Disturbance, Vegetation Removal, Grading /Soil Disruption, etc.) are cumulative towards the 1 acre threshold.

For more information please review Norton's Local STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BYLAW (Chapter 133). 

The Bylaw was adopted at the 10/17/16 Town Meeting, and as Amended at the 05/8/21 Town Meeting. Projects subject to this bylaw shall be reviewed and approved by the Norton Stormwater Agent. The Stormwater Agent is the Town of Norton Stormwater Agent.

If a Notice of Intent was filed as part of the project and includes a Stormwater Management Checklist - the Local Stormwater Permit Application via OpenGov shall not be required.

Please contact the Conservation Department for all inquiries or submittal of requests (508) 285 - 0275.

Stormwater Permit Procedures

Projects subject to Norton's Local Stormwater Bylaw shall be determined by the Stormwater Agent to be either exempt, require an administrative approval, or shall require a stormwater permit application (SWP).

Request for Administrative Approval

Applicants shall file for a Request for Administrative Approval if a land alteration project exceeds 1/2 acre or ~22,000SF. Applicants will be required to implement best management practices (BMPs) to prevent sedimentation or erosion during construction. Plans shall contain clear notes and detail specifications illustrating the type of sediment or erosion control to be used, details for installation and maintenance, and the responsible party for installation, maintenance and removal of the sediment controls. All requests shall be made online through (OpenGov).

Stormwater Permit Application

Any alteration of greater than one acre of land shall require a stormwater permit (SWP), and an application shall be filed with the Stormwater Agent. All applications shall be filed online (OpenGov) for Stormwater Agent review and shall include, at a minimum, all information listed below (Please be mindful that stormwater applications will be rejected if they are submitted incorrectly or are deemed incomplete):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

The Town of Norton administers a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit to implement the following municipal stormwater management measures:

• Pollution Prevention;
• Treatment and/or removal techniques;
• Monitoring;
• Use of Legal Authority; and
• Maintenance to control the quality of storm water discharged to storm drainage components and thence to waters of the U.S.

Information surrounding the Small MS4 General Permit may be found here:

• MS4 General Permit 
• Regulated Area Map
• Notice of Intent (05/1/2019)
• Authorization Letter
• Reports 2019 | 2020 | 2021 
• Public Outreach Materials