How to send an Abutter Notice Form

How to send an Abutter Notice or a Neighbor notification

Updated 10.1.2023

There are several reasons to send a Notification to Abutters under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Notifications to abutters require you to notify an owner or occupant of adjoining property, via Certified Mail with proof of mailing, and Mailform is the easiest way to notify abutters. Here's how you go about it.

1. Prepare your abutters' letter. Make sure it's tailored to the town, city or municipality you're in.
2. Compile a list of abutters with address
3. Create a Mailform account, and upload the abutter's letter
4. Upload the abutter's address list.
5. Enter your mailing address, check "Certified Mail" and hit send.

For this, you'll be using Mailform's bulk certified mail service. Here's step by step instructions:

There are several reasons to send an abutter's notification, including:

• Changes to wetlands
• Lake spraying
• Property demolition
• Forestry changes
• Airbnb Short Term Rental Neighbor Notifications

If you're engaging in any of these activities, be sure to check the local rules to ensure you're sending the appropriate notifications. Many towns, cities, and municipalities (particularly within Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont) have requirements for abutter's notifications. Below, we've listed those towns (as best we can) and linked to the abutter's notifications directly. You can also grab the documents directly here:

Laws and regulations requiring neighbor notices can vary significantly depending on your location, the type of activity or project you're involved in, and the specific circumstances. Neighbor notices are typically associated with land use and development activities, construction, zoning changes, and other activities that may have an impact on neighboring properties. Here are some common examples in the United States:

1. **Zoning Laws and Ordinances**: Local zoning laws and ordinances often require neighbor notices for certain types of land use changes, construction projects, or rezoning applications. These requirements can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. You can typically find these regulations on your city or county's official website.

2. **Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Notices**: Large-scale development projects that may have environmental impacts may require the issuance of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) or Environmental Impact Reports (EIR). These documents often involve a public notice and comment period, which serves as a form of neighbor notice. Regulations related to EIAs and EIRs can be found at the federal, state, or local level.

   - Federal Environmental Impact Statements: https://www.nepa.gov
   - California Environmental Impact Reports: https://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/

3. **Construction Permits**: When obtaining a building permit for construction or renovation, local building departments may require you to notify adjacent property owners about the intended work. Check with your local building department for specific requirements.

4. **Historic Preservation**: If you are proposing changes to a historic property or a property within a designated historic district, there may be requirements for notifying neighbors and obtaining their input.

5. **Land Use Hearings and Meetings**: Public hearings and meetings related to land use and development projects often involve neighbor notices to inform the public of the proposed changes. These notices are typically posted in local newspapers, on websites, or at the project site. Requirements for such notices are set by local government agencies.

To find specific laws and regulations related to neighbor notices for your particular situation, you should consult with the relevant local government authorities, planning departments, or legal counsel in your area. They can provide you with information on the specific requirements and processes applicable to your project or activity, as these regulations can vary widely between states and municipalities.