Permitting Information

Building Permits

The Division of Development Services processes all applications for Building, Plumbing, Gas, Mechanical and Electrical permits. The Local Building Inspectors, the Chief Plumbing, Gas, and Sheet Metal Inspector, and the Wire Inspectors are located within our office, and perform all inspections required for each permit issued.

For additional details about the various permits available, visit our Building Permits page.

Development Services generates a monthly application activity report of all applications received for building, plumbing, gas, sheet metal, electrical, and other projects.

For the most recent report as well as reports for the last several months, visit our Application Reports page.

Health Permits

Development Services also processes permit applications for various Health permits, including Food Service permits, Dumpster permits, Night Soil permits, and Rental Unit permits.

For additional details about the various health permits available, visit our Health Permits page.

Regulatory Authorities, Codes & Ordinances, & Forms

Lowell regulates development through a number of established codes and ordinances. These include zoning, subdivision control, site plan review, wetlands protection, flood plain development, and historic preservation design review. Below is a table with links to information about Lowell's four regulating authorities including meeting schedules. You can also find links to regulations, as well as various applications.

For a brief introduction to the land development process in Lowell, please consult our Development Guide.

The Division of Development Services is now making project information available online for building projects that require Historic Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Conservation Commission approval. Project files are also available at the Development Services office located at:

Development Services Office

City Hall

375 Merrimack Street

2nd Floor Room 51

Lowell, MA 01852

Fees

View Development Services Fees.

Geographic Information System

Access the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Maps.

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Documents

Regulations

  1. Lowell Zoning Ordinance
  2. Hamilton Canal District Form Based Code (PDF)

Forms

  1. Land Use Board Main Application (PDF)
  2. Sign Permit Supplement (PDF)
  3. Special Permit Main Supplement (PDF)
  4. Variance Supplement (PDF)

Miscellaneous

  1. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Schedule (PDF)

Planning Board Documents

Regulations

  1. Design Guidelines for Traditional Neighborhoods (PDF)
  2. Hamilton Canal District Subdivision Rules (PDF)
  3. Lowell Zoning Ordinance
  4. Planning Board Bylaws (PDF)
  5. Site Plan Regulations (PDF)
  6. Subdivision Regulations

Forms

  1. Agenda Request (PDF)
  2. Approval Not Required (ANR) Supplement (PDF)
  3. Conversion of Existing Building Application (PDF)
  4. Definitive Subdivision Supplement (PDF)
  5. Land Use Board Main Application (PDF)
  6. Lot Release Application (PDF)
  7. Permit Telecom Supplement (PDF)
  8. Planned Residential Development Application (PDF)
  9. Preliminary Subdivision Supplement (PDF)
  10. Repetitive Permit Supplement (PDF)
  11. Site Plan Review Supplement (PDF)
  12. Special Permit Main Supplement (PDF)

Miscellaneous

Archived Zoning Ordinances

  1. 1926 Zoning Ordinance
  2. 1941 Zoning Ordinance
  3. 1966 Zoning Ordinance
  4. 1973 Zoning Ordinance
  5. 1982 Zoning Ordinance
  6. 1984 Zoning Ordinance
  7. 1987 Zoning Ordinance
  8. 2001 Zoning Ordinance
  9. 2002 Zoning Ordinance
  10. 2003 Zoning Ordinance
  11. 2004 Zoning Ordinance
  12. 2005 Zoning Ordinance
  13. 2006 Zoning Ordinance
  14. 2007 Zoning Ordinance
  15. 2008 Zoning Ordinance
  16. 2010 Zoning Ordinance
  17. 2013 Zoning Ordinance

Conservation Commission

Regulations

  1. Lowell Rules and Regulations (PDF)

Forms

  1. Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (PDF)
  2. Land Use Board Main Application (PDF)
  3. Notice of Intent (PDF)
  4. Notice of Intent for Ecological Restoration (PDF)
  5. Request for Certificate of Compliance (PDF)
  6. Request for Determination of Applicability (PDF)

Miscellaneous

  1. Conservation Commission Meeting Schedule (PDF)

Conservation Commission Links