About the Board

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is composed of  five voting members plus two Alternate members, and hears petitions for Special Permits, Variances, Appeals, and those projects requiring Site-Plan Review.

Applications

The new ZBA application system was opened on April 1, 2019. Please click here for instructions.

Deadlines:

• Public Hearings are generally scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00pm in the Fuller Meadow School Media Center.  
• To increase the chance that the board will schedule the required public hearing on the next available meeting date, applications should be filed at least 30 days prior to the regular scheduled meeting date.  The board has 65 days from the date of fling with the town clerk to open the public hearing. 
• To be accepted and considered by the board at a meeting, additional information must be submitted by Thursday at 3:00 pm, one week before the given meeting.

Fees:  

• Filing Fees (effective March 1, 2023)
• Certified Abutter’s List:  $10.00 will be charged by the Assessor’s Office for a certified abutters list. Please request the abutters list directly from the Middleton Assessor’s Office, The law allows the Assessor 10 days to prepare an abutters list. Please plan ahead as this is a required document for your application.
• Legal Advertisement: You will be required to pay the cost of the legal advertising that will be placed in either the Tri-Town Transcript or Salem Evening News. Applicants are invoiced directly by the news publication.
• Outside Consultants: the board may decide to impose reasonable fees for the employment of outside consultants per Section 260-12 of Town Code.
• Request to post/reduce/release Performance Guarantee: $100
• Comprehensive Permit Fee: $1,000 plus $50 per unit plus legal notice and technical review fees per MGL c. 44, 53G

Important Notes:

A signed application is required prior to filing an application 
 online. Applicants MUST make an appointment with the Building

Inspector to receive a signature. 

• By the filing of an application, the applicant gives consent for Zoning Board of Appeal members to enter the property for the purpose of familiarizing themselves with the physical aspects of the petition.
• Applications that are incomplete and/or do not include the required supporting documents will be rejected. Applicants may wish to consult an attorney.
• Commercial Projects:  It is highly recommended that a representative attend both the Planning Board and ICDRC meetings required by Section 235-9.5.8 of Town Code.
• Applicants and/or their authorized representatives are required to attend the ZBA hearing to present the project and answer questions.

Questions

Lisa Brown, Building Department Clerk, is available to answer your questions and help you with the application. The Building Commissioner and Town Planner are also available to help you. It is imperative that your application be complete and correct as the Board will automatically deny incomplete applications.