Chapter 91

Chapter 91 - The Public Waterfront Act

The Commonwealth's primary tool for protection and promotion of public use of its tidelands and other waterways is Massachusetts General Law Chapter 91, the waterways licensing program. 

For information regarding activities that require authorization click here

Temporary moorings of floats or rafts are permitted at the local level by the Conservation Commission in conjunction with the Harbormaster. Permit applications are available starting February 15 and permits are valid through the end of the current calendar year only. 

  • cannot exceed 600 square feet in size
  • must be bottom anchored

Harbormaster Annual Permit - Pursuant to Section 10A of Chapter 91 statutes and 310 CMR 9.07 of the Waterways Regulation, the placement on a temporary basis of moorings, floats, rafts held by bottom anchor and associated ramps may be authorized by an annual permit from the local Harbormaster. No other Chapter 91 authorization is required for so long as the Harbormaster permit remains valid. This provision only applies to bottom-anchored moorings, floats or rafts. No piles may be placed without proper Chapter 91 authorization from the Department of Environmental Protection's Waterways Regulation Program.