What are the community's land use goals
in Washington?
Read Washington's
Master Plan and
Conservation Plan to understand the town's values and
goals for land use. The
Natural Resource Inventory,
Conservation Plan and supporting Maps
are available here for your use.
What am I allowed to do with my land?
The use of land is regulated by ordinances adopted by a vote
of the town at Town Meeting. The primary land use document
is the Land Use Ordinance (LUO), but there are several additional
ordinances that regulate other distict issues.
The Land
Use Ordinance (LUO) was updated in 2021 and sets out all
regulations for the use of land and the location and use of
buildings in Washington. No matter what you are doing with
your land, you should always start with this document.
The
Floodplain Management Ordinance was added as a separate
ordinance in 2008 and regulates what can be done in the floodplain.
It also makes Washington properties, found in the floodplain,
eligible to purchase flood insurance.
The Stormwater
Ordinance was added to the LUO in 2008 and helps protect
the water quality in our lakes and streams by regulating the
amount of stormwater coming off a property.
The
Cluster & Open Space Ordinance was added to the LUO
in 2008 and guides how all new subdivisions are designed.
The Site
Plan Review Regulations are the regulations governing
any site development. These should be reviewed whenever there
is a plan for any development or change or expansion of use
for your property.
Read this document if you want to propose a non-residential
(or business) use of a property or want to build a multi-family
dwelling unit;
if there is a change of use - from residential to commercial,
from single family to multi-family, or one type of commercial
or industrial to another;
or whenever any changes are proposed which differ from an
existing site plan that was previously approved by the Planning
Board;
for the rules stating whether your business qualifies as a
Cottage Industry (home occupation) exempting it from the Site
Plan Review process.
The Impact
Fee Ordinance sets out fees that can be assessed on any
new development to cover capital improvement costs related
to a development or land use change.
The Telecommunications
Facility Ordinance was updated in 2011, if you want to
erect a Telecommunications Facility and tower in Washington
read this document first along with the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO), then look at the Business
Permit Application, the Site
Plan Regulations and the Application
for Site Plan Review. You will also need a Driveway
Permit Application for access to the property and a Sign
Permit Application for a sign. Any building on the site will also require a building permit.
LAND
I want to subdivide my land
The Subdivision
Regulations and Applications are all in one document
which includes Annexations and Lot Line adjustments. You should
first review the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) for the regulations governing
subdivision, then read through the Subdivision
Regulations and Applications to determine what kind of
subdivision (Major or Minor) you intend and which application
you will need to fill out. If you intend to develop your subdivided
land you also need to look at the
Site Plan Review Regulations. If required, see the Application
for Site Plan Review.
I want to merge two or more of my properties
Fill out the Notice
of Lot Merger. A merger can only be done if the parcels
to be merged are owned by the same owner (the deeds must all be under the same name or entity), are abutting (land
directly across a road is considered abutting and can be merged)
and there is only one permenant dwelling on any of the lots
to be merged.
I want to move a lot line or annex a
piece of my property to an abutter
The regulations and applications for Annexations and Lot Line
adjustments are in the Subdivision
Regulations and Applications. A lot line can be adjusted
or an annexation of land can be done only with or to an abutting
parcel. An land survey done by a licensed land surveyor is
required to do either of these.
BUILDING
I need a driveway to access my land
You will need to fill out a Driveway
Permit Application, which states the regulations on driveways.
Once your driveway permit is approved you will be assigned
a 911 number by the Selectmen.
I want to build on my land
Read through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) about setbacks and other building
regulations. For new construction, you will need to fill out
a Land Use Compliance for Construction
Permit Application, which are handled by the Selectmen.
Prior to getting your building permit you need to fill out
the Driveway
Permit Application to create an access.
If you are building near the water you must adhere to the
Shoreland
Protection Act and necessary permits must be acquired
before your building permit is approved. A state approved
septic plan must be on file, also. If your building plan doesn't
meet the setbacks in the LUO, the Selectmen will require that
you apply for a variance with the ZBA. This will be determined
at the time they consider your application.
A non-residential building under 50 square feet does not require
a building permit.
I want to take down my house and rebuild
using the same footprint
Read through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) about setbacks and other regulations.
You will need to fill out a Land Use Compliance for Construction
Permit Application. If your site is a non-conforming lot
any deviation from the existing footprint will require a variance.
If you are rebuilding near the water you must adhere to the
Shoreland
Protection Act and necessary permits must be acquired,
whether you need an approved building permit or not. A state
approved septic plan must be on file for your existing system.
I want to renovate my house
Read through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) about setbacks and other building
regulations. You will need to fill out a Land Use Compliance for Construction Permit Application only if you are changing the existing
roof line or adding to the existing footprint (a bumpout or
new overhang is considered an addition and requires a building
permit and must meet setbacks). If your site is a non-conforming
lot you may be required to apply for a variance, if the Selectmen
determine the need for one.
BUSINESSES & SIGNS
I want to have a business on my property
If you want a home business (Cottage Industry) and will not
have any employees beyond family members, you need to look
at the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) and the Site
Plan Review Regulations to see if you qualify for this
type of business. If you do, you must fill out the Site
Plan Request for Exemption for home or cottage based businesses.
If you want a sign for your business, fill out the Sign
Permit Application.
I want to have a business on my property
that doesn't meet the Cottage Industry exemption
Read through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO), then the
Site Plan Review Regulations. You will then need to fill
out the Application
for Site Plan Review. If you need a driveway for access,
fill out the Driveway
Permit Application and if you need a sign, fill out the
Sign
Permit Application.
I want a sign for my existing business
If you already have a Business Permit and want a sign, read
through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO) section about signs and then
fill out the Sign
Permit Application.
ALTERATION
I want to do excavation on my land
Read through the
Land Use Ordinance (LUO), then the Application
for Excavation. You will need to use the Excavation
Application Checklist and the document that explains the
process is the Excavation
Permit Process.
I want to have timber cut on my land
You will need to fill out an "Intent to Cut" form depending
on the size of the cut and file it with the town office and
Assessors. For information about timber cutting click
here for a document that explains the state laws and contains
the needed forms. For the "Intent to Cut" form see page 9. You may need to fill out a Driveway
Permit Application if there is no existing access to your
land. If you are just cutting some cordwood for your own use,
nothing is required.
OTHER
If your question hasn't been answered
here and you are not sure where to find your answer
Contact a member of the Planning Board, send us an email
, call the town offices at 495-3661, or attend one of our
monthly meetings - held on the first Tuesday of each month
at 6:30PM in the Town Hall.
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