Wetland Permitting

Preserving Sudbury’s wetland resource areas, Adjacent Upland Resource Areas and Riverfronts Areas is crucial to maintaining the ecological integrity of our unique natural environment and protects public interests such as flood control, stormwater damage protection, protection of drinking water supplies, and fisheries and wildlife habitats. The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and regulations prohibits a person from “removing, filling, dredging, or altering” the land surface, water, or vegetation in wetland resource areas or within 100 feet of the wetlands or 200 feet of a perennial stream, without obtaining a permit from the local Conservation Commission. The Sudbury Wetlands Administration Bylaw and Bylaw Regulations further expand the definition of lands  protected to include lands within 100 feet of wetlands as Adjacent Upland Resource Area as well as  the status of stream designations, including protection of Cold Water Fisheries.

Any work within the wetlands, the 100-year floodplain, 200 feet of a perennial stream, or the 100-foot buffer zone to wetlands requires review and approval from the Conservation Commission. View the Town GIS system map showing approximate locations of wetlands, rivers, streams, and certified vernal pools in Sudbury.

If you are planning any landscaping, tree removal, filling, excavation, demolition, or construction within a wetland or floodplain, within the 100 foot buffer zone, or within 200 feet of perennial streams – whether or not the wetland resource area is on your property. Please contact the Conservation Office before you begin your project to determine if you will need a permit. View the Wetlands Brochure for a homeowners guide to working near wetlands and streams.

Applications are processed quicker if submitted electronically through eDEP. Hard copies may also be submitted to DEP, but take longer to process.

Wetland Permitting Forms and Filing Requirements:

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