Frequently Asked Questions

All signs (new, repaired or refaced) require a permit subject to the criteria specified in the zoning bylaws.

Application may be made online and must include color renderings for review and approval prior to installation.

If a road is a town-owned (public) road, the Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains and repairs the road as necessary.

If a road is a private road, the developer, residents or homeowner's association is responsible for maintenance and repairs.

A public road (or town road) is a road that has been accepted by the Town (Town Meeting or Town Council) after going through the acceptance process established by state statute.  The Town maintains public roads. A private road, not accepted by Town Meeting or Town Council, is owned either by the original developer, the residents on the road or a homeowner's association.

Floodplains include all special Flood Hazard Areas designated by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These hazard areas are identified on FEMA-approved Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). To determine if a property lies within one of these areas, residents and business owners can:

1. Go to Parcel/Property Maps
2. Select the magnifying glass and enter the property address or parcel ID
3. Select the map themes tab and select FEMA Flood Zones

or

1. Go to the online FEMA Map Service Center
2. Type in the property address and select "Search"

If you are still unsure whether or not the property lies within a floodplain, please email the Town's Engineer or email the Building Commissioner.

To request a change to your flood zone designation, a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) should be submitted to FEMA by one of the following methods:

• Online LOMC Tool
• Mail to:
  LOMC Clearinghouse
  3601 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 500
  Alexandria, VA 22304-6426

For questions, contact FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 877-366-2627.

Filing deadlines for projects and applications are outlined on the Meeting Schedule on the Planning Board webpage.  There may be circumstances that permit certain filings after the posted deadline. Please email the Town Planner to determine filing requirements and be placed on the agenda.

Whether or not you can build on a lot depends on the zoning district in which the lot is located, what you intend to build, and the size of the construction. You can use the online property viewer to determine the zoning district for a particular parcel and then check for allowable uses of buildings and land in that district in the Randolph Zoning Ordinances.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to consult with the Randolph Building Commissioner to receive a formal determination on whether or not a lot is buildable: email the Building Commissioner. The Building Commissioner is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of Randolph's Zoning Ordinances.

Special Permits regulate the use of a particular site and apply criteria in the zoning ordinance to determine if the proposed use, which is generally considered acceptable for that zoning district, is appropriate for the particular site. Special permits require a super-majority vote and are subject to procedures for applications, notice, public hearings, and decision-making set forth in the Zoning Act of MGL C.40A.

Site Plan and Design Review regulates the physical structures that will be constructed on the property and can be imposed for uses that are allowed by right or by special permit. The Town's bylaws specify the level of review required for based on project thresholds.

Any action that proposes changes to a property line requires the property owner to present a professional plan to the Planning Board for signing.

There are generally two methods by which a lot can be divided:

1. The mutual adjustment of property lines between abutting lots either by sale or exchange, or the creation of new building lots on an existing street, assuming the lots will have sufficient access, area, and frontage.
2. The formal division or splitting of an existing lot into two or more separate lots, or the construction of new streets combined with new building lots. These kinds of subdivisions are regulated by the state's Subdivision Control Law.

Your project may require a plan of land completed by a registered land surveyor as part of the review and permitting processes. The Town does not make recommendations for registered land surveyors or other professionals; however, a list of licensed land surveyors and engineers is available through the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensures. Additionally, the Massachusetts Association of Land Surveyors and Civil Engineers (MALSCE) provides information regarding civil engineers and land surveying.

If you would like to inquire about persons who have previously done work in the town, the records of our boards, committees, and commissions are public information, and you may review any plans and applications previously filed.

1) Determine the zoning district of the parcel using the mapping system

2) Review permitted property uses in the Table of Allowable Activity: view online or as a document (PDF).

3) Confirm with the Building Department and/or Planning Department

The zoning district for a specific parcel can be identified on parcel/property maps.

• Crawford Square Business District (CSBD)
• West Corners Business District (WCBD)
• North Randolph Business District (NRBD)
• Blue Hill River Highway District (BRHD)
• Great Bear Swamp Highway District (GBHD)
• Industrial District (ID)
• Orchard Street Business District (OSBD)
• Great Pond Commerce Center Overlay District (GPCCOD)
• Business District (BD)
• Business Professional District (BP)
• Sanitary Facility District (SFD)
• Residential Single Family High Density (RSHDD)
• Residential Single Family Medium Density (RSMDD)
• Residential Two-Family District (R2FD)
• Residential Multi-Family District (RMFD)
• Residential Multi-Family 55-Plus (RMF55+)
• Business Housing Authority District (BHAD)

A request to modify zoning is subject to a public hearing held by both the Planning Board and the Town Council. Requirements and applications are available in Forms and Applications. Contact the Planning Department for more information.