700 C.M.R. 13.02
Agent. An individual or entity acting on behalf of the applicant. While the permit is issued to the applicant, the agent represents the applicant's interests during the permit review, permit issuing, and post-issue process.
Agent Letter. A signed and notarized letter from the Applicant that is required to formally document that the Agent is authorized to act on behalf of the Applicant. The agent letter may represent multiple projects with the same Agent and must be renewed on an annual basis.
Americans with Disability Act (ADA). An act that prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation.
Annual Maintenance Permit. A Permit issued on an annual basis, typically to municipalities, utilities and emergency response entities, allowing access to their infrastructure and our Right of Way to respond to emergencies, and to perform inspections and maintenance. This type of permit excludes roadway openings and capital improvements.
Applicant. The person applying for a Permit, License, Lease, or other authorization to access MassDOT property.
Application. A written submission, including in electronic format, requesting authorization to access MassDOT property.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT). The total trip generation of a proposed facility calculated using the techniques of the most recent Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual and expressed as passenger car equivalents to account for truck traffic.
Best Management Practices (BMPs). Activities or structural improvements that help reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff. BMPs include treatment requirements, and operating procedures and practices to control site runoff, spillage, or leaks.
Category I – Vehicular Access Permits with Minor Impacts. Access Permits for Projects that require entry to the State Highway Layout, require little to no non-signalized modifications, and do not significantly alter the operating characteristics of traffic. These Projects ordinarily do not exceed the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) transportation thresholds beyond the filing of an Environmental Notification Form (ENF), and they will be reviewed by the District Highway Director of the District within which the Project is located.
Category II – Vehicular Access Permits with Significant Impacts. Access Permits for Projects that require significant non signalized modification, including roadway improvements, that may alter the operating characteristics of traffic at a residential or commercial driveway at its intersection with the State Highway Layout; that require significant non-signalized modifications that may alter the operating characteristics of traffic at any other intersection or roadway under the jurisdiction of MassDOT or upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of MassDOT; that require installation of a new traffic signal at a residential or commercial driveway at its intersection with the State Highway Layout or at any other intersection under the
jurisdiction of MassDOT or upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of MassDOT; or that require modification of structures, equipment, or hardware at an existing traffic signal at a residential or commercial driveway at its intersection with the State Highway Layout or at any other intersection under the jurisdiction of MassDOT or upon any roadway under the jurisdiction of MassDOT. These Projects ordinarily require MEPA review, and the proposed Project will be reviewed by the District Highway Director of the District within which the Project is located and other appropriate sections of MassDOT.
Category III – Complex Vehicular Access Permits. Access Permits for Projects that require a new or altered State Highway Layout; that require significant non-signalized and/or signalized modifications within the State Highway Layout over an extended distance or at a number of intersections that significantly alters the operating characteristics of traffic along a corridor; or that require the construction of a new, or modifications to an existing bridge. These Projects generally require MEPA review and may require Federal review. The proposed Projects will be reviewed by the District Highway Director of the District within which the Project is located, other appropriate sections of MassDOT, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), if necessary.
Department or MassDOT. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation as established by M.G.L. c. 6C.
DHD. District Highway Director for MassDOT.
EEA. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Event (Non-vehicular). This Permit type authorizes the grantee to enter upon or use MassDOT property for a public or private event or gathering of not more than one day in duration. Additional periods of time may be allowed in connection with an Event for set-up and removal of any furnishings or equipment related to the event.
Filming and Photography (Non-vehicular). This Permit grants authorization to enter upon or use MassDOT property for the purposes of filming, videotaping or photographing for commercial purposes. An Access Permit is not required for filming, videotaping or photographing for personal and/or recreational purposes on the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
Grantee. The entity or person to whom the permit is issued.
Indirect Access (Vehicular). An Access Permit may be required when a property abuts and/or significantly impacts MassDOT-Highway roadways and infrastructure where access is not directly sought from a MassDOT-Highway roadway or facility.
License. Authorization to enter upon or use MassDOT property for sustained types of uses or occupancy. The issuance of a License in lieu of or in addition to issuance of a Permit is within the sole discretion of the MassDOT and will be based on the particular circumstances and information provided in the Permit application.
MassDOT Interests. Any interest, property, facilities, rights, duties or obligations of MassDOT, or the existing, contemplated or future use, operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, improvement, safety, layout or design of the State highway system, the Metropolitan Highway System, the Massachusetts Turnpike, or any federal highway, or any of their respective related components, facilities or systems, including any existing, contemplated or future easements, reservations, utilities, lighting, ventilation and life-safety systems, drainage facilities, tunnels, ramps, roadways or bridges.
MassDOT Property. Real property under the custody and control of MassDOT, regardless of whether such property is being used and laid out for highway purposes.
MEPA. The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (M.G.L. c. 30, §§ 61 through 62H) and implementing regulations (301 CMR 11.00: MEPA Regulations).
MHC. The Massachusetts Historical Commission Act (M.G.L. c. 9, §§ 26 through 27C and implementing regulations (950 CMR 71.00: Protection of Properties Included in the State Register of Historic Places).
Non-vehicular Access Permits include:
Office of Real Estate and Asset Development (OREAD). MassDOT office responsible for the management of MassDOT owned properties and layouts. Certain access permits may require separate land use agreements and/or leases issued by this office.
Owner. The Person owning the land from which access is being sought to the State Highway Layout, or the abutter in cases where a utility service connection is sought. In certain cases it may define the owner of the infrastructure located in the right of way on which or in which, access is sought, typically seen with utility poles or utility structures.
Permit. A Vehicular Access, Non-vehicular Access, or Small Wireless Facility Permit.
Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other business or non-profit organization; any agency, department, board, commission, or authority of the Commonwealth; and any Federal, municipal, or regional governmental or intergovernmental agency, department, board, commission, authority, or other entity.
Project. Any work or activity undertaken by a Person that requires or may seek vehicular and/or non-vehicular access.
Recreational Use (Non-vehicular). An access permit granting authorization to enter upon or use MassDOT property other than the Rose Kennedy Greenway for recreational, conservation, scientific, educational, environmental, ecological, research, religious, or charitable purposes as such uses are defined in M.G.L. c. 21, § 17C. In accordance with M.G.L. c. 21, § 17C, no charges or fees shall be imposed by MassDOT for such uses.
Right of Way (ROW). The area within the jurisdiction and control of MassDOT which:
Section 61 Findings. The findings issued by MassDOT pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30, § 61.
Signature: Hand-written or Electronic Signature. Electronic or E-signature to mean an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
Small Wireless Facility. Facilities that meet the following conditions:
(a) The facilities:
Small Wireless Permit. An access permit issued by MassDOT to install a Small Wireless Facility in the Right of Way.
State Highway Access Permit System (SHAPS). MassDOT's online access permit submission, review, and issue tool available to permit Applicants and their Agents.
State Highway Layout (SHLO). Commonwealth property under the custody and control of MassDOT being used and laid out for highway purposes; this does not include parcels under the custody and control of MassDOT which are not being used for highway purposes.
Structure. A pole, tower, building, bridge or other structure to which a Small Wireless Facility can be attached in compliance with the requirements contained herein and all other applicable health and safety codes and design and safety standards applicable to MassDOT Property
Substantial Increase in or Impact on Traffic. A Project that meets or exceeds any of the following thresholds:
Utility Accommodation Policy (UAP). MassDOT highway policy governing the acceptable use(s) of the State Highway Layout for various utilities and the procedures required for obtaining permitted access.
Vehicular Access Permit. Vehicular Access Permits are required for: