How do I know if I have wetlands on my property?

For new projects, the landowner should hire a wetland consultant to delineate the wetland boundaries.  Wetlands in Massachusetts are defined by the wetland vegetation, wetland soils and hydrology.  Wetlands may only have water in them in the spring or during times of high ground water.  It is the plants, the soils and the hydrology, which provide the evidence of the wetland boundary.  If you are uncertain whether you have wetlands on your property please call the Conservation Department and we can help you make this determination.

If it is a project constructed on or before 1980 the Commission may have files on the lot so call the Conservation Department office and we can look up whether there is a file on your property and if there are wetlands on or near your property.