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Stormwater By-Law Review
The Stormwater By-Law Review Working Group was formed to evaluate Needham’s current Stormwater By-Law and recommend updates to improve its clarity, effectiveness, fairness, and alignment with evolving environmental standards, including NPDES requirements. The group includes ten members: residents, Select Board members, Town staff from Engineering, Conservation, and Building, and a construction and real estate professional.
The current Stormwater By-Law has been in effect since 2019. Reviewing the Stormwater By-Law serves several important purposes and goals. These reviews are essential to ensure that local regulations remain effective, compliant, and responsive to evolving environmental, legal, and community needs. The main purposes and goals include:
- Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
- Protection of Water Resources
- Promote Sustainable Development
- Enhance Resilience to Climate Change
- Improve Clarity and Enforceability
The recommendations developed by the working group aim to strengthen local resilience, support responsible development, and reflects current standards and community priorities.
The Stormwater By-Law Working Group has prepared the following documents to strengthen local resilience, support responsible development, and align with current standards and community priorities. The public is encouraged to review these materials and become familiar with the proposed changes, which are intended to be presented for a vote at the October Town Meeting.
Recommendations Summary
Stormwater By-Law Draft
Stormwater By-Law Draft (Compare to Current)
Stormwater Regulations Draft
The Town hosted a Public Listening Session on August 5, 2025, at Powers Hall in Needham Town Hall to share upcoming recommendations to the Stormwater By-Law, which were to be presented for a vote at the next Town Meeting. This session provided an opportunity to engage and educate residents on the proposed changes, explain how they aimed to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater, and highlight the benefits to local water resources, public infrastructure, and community resilience.
The meeting was held both virtually and in person to ensure broad access and participation. Residents were encouraged to attend, ask questions, and learn more about the updates.
Public Listening Session
Stormwater By-Law Working Group Presentation
Sample Plot Plan
Sample Permit Plan
The Stormwater By-Law Working Group values and welcomes community feedback on the draft documents. Public participation plays a vital role in shaping effective stormwater management, ensuring that proposed updates reflect both technical best practices and community priorities. To provide a comment or if you have questions please submit them using this form.
Hybrid Public Listening Session
The Town is hosting a Public Listening Session to share upcoming recommendations to the Stormwater By-Law, which will be presented for a vote at the next Town Meeting. This session is an opportunity to engage and educate residents on the proposed changes, explain how they aim to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater, and highlight the benefits to local water resources, public infrastructure, and community resilience.
The meeting will be held both virtually and in person to ensure broad access and participation. Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and learn more about the updates. If you have questions in advance of the meeting, please submit them using this form.
Needham Town Hall
Powers Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02492
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
7:00pm – 8:00pm