Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Blandford, Massachusetts

Town of Blandford’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Buildings and structures erected within Blandford town limits.

  • The zoning bylaw exempts accessory buildings under 300 square feet that are not for habitation, business, or public gatherings.

  “no building or structure shall be erected without a permit granted by the building inspector.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots in Blandford Residential and Agricultural districts.

  • Residential lots require 150 contiguous feet of frontage.
  • Agricultural lots require 300 contiguous feet of frontage.

  Residential District minimum area: 30000 square feet · Agricultural District minimum area: 87120 square feet

  “the minimum frontage of lots in this district shall be 300 contiguous feet, and the minimum area shall be 87,120 square feet.”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Use of a trailer as a dwelling within Blandford town limits.

  • Board of Appeals authorization follows a public hearing with due notice and appropriate neighborhood and town-protection conditions.
  • The trailer may be used only while a permanent dwelling is being constructed.
  • The initial term is 60 days; discretionary renewals may be 30 days.

  initial dwelling-trailer term: 60 days (Only while a permanent dwelling is being constructed.) · renewal term: 30 days (At the Board of Appeals' discretion.)

  “authorize the use of a trailer as a dwelling for a period of sixty (60) days only while a permanent dwelling is being constructed. renewals may be granted at the discretion of the board of appeals for a period of thirty (30) days.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  A driveway or right-of-way connected to a traveled way or town way within Blandford town limits.

  • A written permit from the Selectmen is required before construction or connection.
  • The Highway Superintendent must make appropriate provision for drainage grades, visibility, and similar matters necessary for issuance.

  “no driveway or right of way shall be constructed or connected to any traveled way or portion of a town way until written permit for same is issued by the selectmen. the highway superintendent shall make proper provisions for road drainage grades, visibility, and such things of like nature necessary for the issuance of such a permit.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in Blandford's Floodplain Overlay District.

  • Underlying-district zoning rules remain in force unless the overlay imposes additional regulations, which prevail.
  • All development must comply with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40 and listed state floodplain and wetlands requirements.

  “all development in the district, including structural and non-structural activities, whether permitted by right or by special permit must be in compliance with chapter 131, section 40 of the massachusetts general laws and with the following:”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits and related permits within Blandford town limits.

  • The building-department fee schedule states it was updated 7/1/23.
  • New single-family dwelling fees are $5 per $1,000 or a $600 minimum.

  new single-family dwelling fee: per 5 USD per 1,000 USD construction cost (Minimum $600.) · new single-family dwelling minimum fee: 600 USD

  “Permits can be completed online and are also available for download. More information is available here. Updated 7/1/23 Base Assumption - New Construction cost is approximately $150/sf New SF Dwelling | $5/$1,000 or $600 min”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Blandford or Hampden County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction within Blandford town limits.
• Building code adopted — Building construction within Blandford town limits.
• Inspections — Residential building work within Blandford town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — New or altered buildings within Blandford town limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Blandford residential and agricultural districts.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Blandford means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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