Frequently Asked Questions

Domestic Animals

Animal Control does not remove and dispose of domestic/personal animals.

Please contact your veterinarian for assistance and recommendations.

Wildlife

The Animal Control Department will remove deceased animals that are creating a traffic hazard from public ways only.

Animal Control may remove deceased rabies vector wildlife from private property (such as bats, coyotes, raccoons, fox, skunks, etc.) only if there was a potential exposure to a person or pet, such as a bite or scratch. Removal is done to have the animal tested for rabies. You may also have an animal tested on your own- please contact the department for information.

Animal Control does not remove deceased animals that do not fit into the above categories from private property, and you will need to dispose of it yourself. If you have to remove a deceased animal from your property, avoid using bare hands when handling the carcass. Place the animal in a plastic bag or garbage bag, and dispose of the animal with your routine trash. For larger animals free of disease, you may dig a hole on your property deep enough so curious coyotes won't dig it up, typically about 3 feet deep or place it in a wooded area on your property, or property you have permission to use from the owner, far from people, pets, homes, etc. Expect that coyotes and other scavenging animals will be arriving in short order to feed on the carcass.

A final option is to contact a wildlife removal company to remove the animal for you for a fee. There are a number of options available online- Animal Control cannot by law recommend a specific company.

Local Animal Control Officers and Police Officers have no powers which enable them to handle problem wildlife.  The state fish and wildlife division has licensed problem wildlife agents for this purpose. They do charge for their services!  This also includes coyotes. The town can only take action against coyotes that are aggressive towards persons or diseased.  The town cannot remove wildlife just because it’s living under your shed, etc.  For more information visit the MassWildlife website.  

No! We do not divulge information on our callers. It is very important for our department to have the complainant's information though because it assists our investigation and allows us to speed up the process. 

If you believe an animal is being abused, there are a few simple steps you can take in order to help.

• You can call us at 508-888-1186 to file a complaint
• Call the Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Department at 617-426-9170, ext. 110
• Call the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 800-628-5808

The Plymouth Animal Control Department covers calls during the hours of 7:30 am to 4 pm. During this time we may be tending to the animals at our shelter, responding to calls on the road, or speaking with someone on the other line. If your call is not in regards to an emergency, please leave your name, number, and the nature of your call on our voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If your call is an emergency and cannot wait for a call back please contact the Plymouth Police Department at 508-830-4218.

First, consider an alternative to surrendering your pet. There are many resources that can help with behavior problems, moving, military deployment, economic hardship, and other issues. If you must give up your pet and have no other option, consider keeping your pet until you can find a permanent home for the animal, or contact a rescue group. A shelter environment can be very stressful to an animal. If you cannot resolve the challenges you are having with your pet and you are unable to rehome your pet, please call our shelter at 508-888-1186. 

Our shelter provides housing for domestic dogs and cats only. We do not take in birds, reptiles, or other small mammals. Additionally, our shelter is a limited intake facility, meaning that animals surrendered to us need to meet specific requirements in order for us to accept them. Only residents of Plymouth with proof of residency may surrender their animals to our shelter. Upon beginning the surrender process you will be asked questions about your pet including but not limited to medical history, behavioral problems, bite history, etc. 

No! Not only is it a bad idea, but it is also illegal. An orphaned wild animal should always be taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center where it can be hand-raised by a licensed professional, socialized with members of the same species, and ultimately released back into the wild. Contact New England Wildlife Center or Cape Wildlife Center for assistance, or visit Mass.gov to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

Actually, bunnies are rarely orphaned, and mom is usually hiding close by.  If you find baby bunnies, please read the House Rabbit Society’s Information page to learn more about the best things to do for them.  More often than not, you should leave them where they are and keep pets away.

Contact Animal Control and let us evaluate the situation. If you care, leave it there!

Animal Control will evaluate injured wildlife.  If necessary, injured wildlife will be transported to the Cape Wildlife Center.  This is the only center near us so if they are not open or not excepting animals the Animal Control Office (ACO) doesn’t have another facility for this.  There is no mandate under state law that ACOs are required to handle injured wildlife, so this is a service not required but is provided when ACO is on duty.  If it is after hours leave the animal alone and leave a voicemail on our machine and the situation will be evaluated when the ACO is on-duty.

If it is injured or is truly orphaned, the animal needs care from a wildlife rehabilitator.  For your safety and the safety of the animal, contact Animal Control or a wildlife rehabilitator before helping an injured or orphaned animal.  It is against the law to care for wildlife yourself, and only a licensed wildlife rehabilitator can provide the care needed to return the animal to the wild where it belongs.  Please see the Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators tab.  Always consult a professional before attempting the Capture and Transport of Injured or Orphaned Wildlife.

An excise is a tax upon an event or privilege. A motor vehicle and trailer excise is in lieu of a tangible personal property tax and is levied for the privilege of registration.

M.G.L. Ch. 60A, which is the statutory basis for the excise, uses the motor vehicle itself as a means to measure this privilege. Revenue derived from the excise can be used by cities and towns for any lawful purpose.

For more detailed information regarding the definition of a "motor vehicle", the period of assessment, and certain registration requirements, see: General Motor Vehicle Excise Information (PDF).

The excise is based on the value of the motor vehicle as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue upon certain percentages of the manufacturer's list price (MSRP) in the year of manufacture.

The excise valuation is not based on the actual purchase price or "book value" of the vehicle. The percentages set forth in the statutory depreciation schedule that are applied to the manufacturer's list price are as follows:

• In the year preceding the designated year of manufacture: 50%
• In the year of manufacture: 90%
• In the second year: 60%
• In the third year: 40%
• In the fourth year: 25%
• In the fifth and succeeding years: 10%

For examples and more information about the computation of a motor vehicle excise, see: Calculation of the Excise (PDF).

An excise in the amount of $25 per thousand is assessed upon the value of the vehicle as determined in accordance with the depreciation schedule.

Prior to 1981, the rate was $66 per thousand. With the passage of Proposition 2 1/2 the rate was set at $25 per thousand.

The excise is levied for a full calendar year and is assessed by the community where the motor vehicle is customarily garaged. In those instances where vehicles are registered in the Commonwealth but garaged outside of Massachusetts, the Commissioner of Revenue assesses the excise which is paid into the State treasury. M.G.L. Ch. 60A Sec. 1 provides that the owner of any motor vehicle registered for less than a full calendar year will be obligated to pay an excise based on the entire month when the vehicle was registered, as well as the remaining months of the year. For example, a vehicle registered on April 9th will be assessed an excise for the months of April through December.

An exemption may be granted if the motor vehicle is owned and registered by the following entities:

• The Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions
• Charitable corporations or charitable trusts and religious organizations whose personal property is exempt under M.G.L. Ch. 59 Sec. 5 Cl. 3 and Cl. 10 respectively
• Lessors engaged in the business of leasing motor vehicles, if the vehicle is leased for a full calendar year to a charitable organization, other than a degree-granting or diploma-awarding institution
• Vehicles operated with special plates and owned or controlled by manufacturers, farmers or dealers (Section 5 plates)
• Vehicles owned and registered by former prisoners of war or their surviving spouses, if the local option statute is adopted by the community
• Handicapped veterans with a wartime service connected disability as determined by Veterans Affairs who have lost, or lost the permanent use of, one or both feet, one or both hands, or the sight of one or both eyes
• Handicapped non-veterans who have lost, or lost the permanent use of, both legs or both arms or the sight of both eyes; (the exemption for handicapped veterans and non-veterans applies to not more than one motor vehicle owned and registered for the personal non-commercial use of such veteran or person)

The abatement application form is used to apply for an exemption, and likewise must be filed with the assessors within 3 years after the date the excise was due, or 1 year after the excise was paid, whichever is later. Supporting documentation is required when submitting the abatement application.

A taxpayer may file an abatement application and receive an abatement for any of the following reasons:

• Sale of the vehicle and cancellation of the registration or the trade of the subject vehicle for another
• Transfer of the registrant and the vehicle to another state with proof of registration in that state and cancellation of the Massachusetts registration
• Overvaluation of the vehicle
• Subsequent registration of the same vehicle in the same year by the same person (e.g., vehicle is later registered with a Vanity Plate)
• Theft of the vehicle, if the local police authorities are notified within 48 hours of the discovery of the theft and the certificate of registration is surrendered not less than thirty days after the theft and the registrant has received a certificate of cancellation of registration signed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles or his authorized agent verifying that the subject vehicle was stolen

Applications for abatement must be filed with the local board of assessors within 3 years after the date the excise was due, or 1 year after the excise was paid, whichever is later. If the taxpayer's application for abatement is denied, there can be an appeal to the Appellate Tax Board (ATB).

An excise must be paid within 30 days of the issuance of the bill.

Any unpaid bill accrues interest at a rate of 12% per annum from the 31st day to the date of payment. The following steps for collection are set forth in M.G.L. Ch. 60A Sec. 2A:

• The collector will send a demand which must be made more than one day after such excise becomes due. The demand fee is $15.
• If payment is not made within 14 days of the demand, the collector will issue a warrant to collect to a deputy collector, the charge for which is $10. The deputy collector will then send a notice of his warrant to the taxpayer.
• Upon failure to pay within 30 days of the notice of warrant, the deputy collector will make a service of warrant.

If the excise continues to be outstanding, the deputy collector or collector notifies the Registrar of Motor Vehicles within a two year period after the initial excise tax was issued.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will then mark or place in non-renewal status the license and registration of the taxpayer.

Canceling the insurance policy on a motor vehicle does not affect a contemporaneous cancellation of the registration on that vehicle. The registrant must deal directly with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, either in person, by phone or by mail.

To cancel the registration on a particular vehicle, a registrant should return the license plates to the Registry and receive a Plate Return Receipt. A registrant who does not have possession of those plates should obtain from the Registry a Form C19, "Lost Plate Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration."

Obtaining either a Plate Return Receipt or a processed Form C19 will effectuate a cancellation of the registration on that vehicle. An insurer, in order to cancel or revoke an insurance policy on a motor vehicle, must give electronic notice to the Registry. If the Registry does not receive a new certificate of insurance covering the same vehicle within the following 23 days, it will mail notice to the registrant that unless a new certificate is provided within the ensuing 10 days, the registration on that motor vehicle will be revoked.

1. Handicapped veterans:
   1. To qualify as a veteran, a person must have been honorably discharged from the armed services and have served in either World War I, World II, the Korean Emergency, the Vietnamese War, the Lebanese Peace Keeping Force, the Panamanian Intervention Force or the Persian Gulf.
   2. In addition, the person must, by reason of such service, have suffered either (a) an actual loss of or a permanent and complete loss of use of, one or both feet or one or both hands or (b) a permanent vision impairment, of the magnitude set out in Ch. 60A §1, of one or both eyes. As used in this statute, loss of use is the constructive equivalent of an actual loss. No magnitude of loss which is less than total loss of use qualifies an individual for exemption.
   3. This loss must be documented by the records of the Veterans Administration.
   4. This exemption is restricted for each handicapped veteran to one vehicle at a time, owned and registered by the veteran for personal, non-business use. It does not preclude a qualifying person's receiving an abatement on a second vehicle in a calendar year so long as he/she: a) conveys title to the first vehicle upon which he/she already received an excise abatement, and b) transfers the registration from the first vehicle to the second or cancels the registration on the first vehicle and obtains a new registration on the second.
   5. A veteran who owns more than one vehicle has the right to choose the vehicle upon which to obtain an exemption.
   6. A handicapped veteran who owns a vehicle jointly with his/her spouse or with some other person(s) satisfies the ownership requisite for a full exemption. See the Appellate Tax Board decision in Brunette v. Assessors of Southampton, Docket Number F231437, issued October 11, 1966.
2. Handicapped non-veterans:
   1. This exemption is available to a person who has suffered either (a) an actual loss of or a permanent and complete loss of use of both legs or both arms (b) a permanent vision impairment of both eyes of the magnitude set out in Ch. 60A §1. As with the exemption for handicapped veterans, loss of use is the constructive equivalent of an actual loss.
   2. A board of assessors may require an applicant for this exemption to provide a certification by a physician of the existence of the requisite loss.
   3. This exemption is restricted for each handicapped person to one vehicle at a time, owned and registered by the person for personal, non-business use. It does not preclude a qualifying person's receiving an abatement on a second vehicle in a calendar year so long as he/she: a) conveys title to the first vehicle upon which he/she already received an excise abatement, and b) transfers the registration from the first vehicle to the second or cancels the registration on the first vehicle and obtains a new registration on the second.
   4. A person who owns more than one vehicle has the right to choose the vehicle upon which to obtain an exemption.
   5. A handicapped person who owns a vehicle jointly with his/her spouse or with some other person(s) satisfies the ownership requisite for a full exemption. See the Appellate Tax Board decision in Brunette v. Assessors of Southampton, Docket Number F231437, issued October 11, 1966.
3. Handicap Plates:
   1. A person need not have a handicap plate to be eligible for this exemption.
   2. Alternatively, one who has a handicap plate is not per se entitled to an exemption. The requisite loss must still be demonstrated.

Real and Personal Property:

• Assessors are governed by Massachusetts General Laws to value all real and personal property.
• The Assessors perform the duties of valuing property with in-office staff and on occasion with the assistance of an outside appraisal firm who may assist in completing the field review of the community.
• Every year the Assessors are required to submit a tax rate recapitulation summary (recap sheet) for approval by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue prior to mailing the actual tax bill at the end of each calendar year.
• Every five years the Massachusetts Department of Revenue visits the Community to recertify the value of the town by doing a field and data review of the community in an attempt to maintain equitable values.

Motor Vehicle Excise:

• Assessors are responsible for committing the motor vehicle excise tax bill to the Collector of Taxes.
• The motor vehicle excise information which generates the bill originates with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles who updates their records according to the registration of the vehicle.
• Assessors are responsible for abating motor vehicle excise (see Motor Vehicle FAQs).

• The Assessors do not make laws but are governed by them.
• The Assessors do not determine the tax amount of a real or personal property tax bill but do establish assessments based on current market value.
• The Assessors do not have discretion in who is entitled to an Exemption of property tax but do review exemption applications in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws chapter 59 § 5 which states the qualification requirements for exemption.

Questions about your current tax payments, unpaid tax balances and/or overpayments contact the Collector's Office at 508-747-1620, ext. 10291.

If you have any questions, about your assessment please call the Assessors Office at 508-747-1620, ext. 10296.

Through its Division of Local Services, the unit that has regulatory and assistance responsibilities for municipal finance and taxation, the Department staff certifies both valuations and tax rates for the cities and towns.

The Division of Local Services functions through four Bureaus:

• Local Assessment
• Property Tax
• Municipal Data Management / Technical Assistance
• Accounts

In order to certify valuations, the Bureau of Local Assessment reviews data submitted by the Assessors and conducts field reviews to assure that the valuations are properly derived and equitably applied.

To certify a tax rate, the Property Tax Bureau looks over the various items that make up the estimated municipal revenue base and makes certain that the calculations for each category fall within the requirements of various laws, including Proposition 2 1/2.

The Municipal Data Management/Technical Assistance Bureau prepares the annual Cherry Sheets (estimates of local aid and state aid county assessments for the next fiscal year) for Assessors and other local officials. It also coordinates the Division's technical assistance program, working with all fiscal officers.

The Bureau of Accounts oversees and provides technical assistance in municipal audits, accounting, and financial reporting. The Division provides guidelines that inform local officials of new and updated laws and prepares specialized publication for municipal use. It also conducts training courses for fiscal officials, offers workshops, training course and seminars throughout the year, and participates actively and cooperatively in local officials' organizations such as the MAAO and the IAAO.

Current Market Value:

• Typically motivated buyer and seller
• Both parties are well informed or well advised and acting in what they consider their best interests
• A reasonable time being exposed to the open market
• Payment made in terms of cash and/or in terms of financial arrangements
• The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions

Under Proposition 2 1/2, a municipality is subject to two property tax limits:

• Ceiling: The total annual property tax revenue raised by a municipality shall not exceed 2.5% of the assessed value of all taxable property contained in it.
• Increase limit: The annual increases of property tax cannot exceed 2.5%, plus the amount attributable to taxes that are from new real property (new growth).

These limits refer to the entire amount of the annual tax levy raised by a municipality. The property taxes are the sum of: (a) residential real property; (b) commercial real property; (c) industrial real property; and (d) business-owned personal property.

In practice, it usually limits the tax bills of individual taxpayers, but only as an indirect result.

You can search online or call or visit the Assessors Office for ownership information.

Yes, you can view the maps in the Assessor's Office or online.

Massachusetts State Law requires the bill to be issued to the record owner as of each January 1.

Massachusetts General Law chapter 59 section 11 reads, "Taxes on real estate shall be assessed, in the town where it lies, to the person who is the owner on January first....."

Example: Purchase date after January 1, 2024, the bill will be issued in prior owners name care of the new owner until June 30, 2025. The July 1, 2025 preliminary bill will reflect the new owner's name for the first time.

Note: Contacting the Assessors' office will aid us in putting your name on as a "care of".

Exception: Current recorded subdivision plan. All subdivision plans are assessed as they are on January 1 each year. We are unable to make any changes to the ownership or division of the lots until the following fiscal year.

One of four ways:

• Submit your request in writing to the Assessors Office.
• Download the change of address form. Once complete return form to the Assessors Office.
• Come into the Assessors Office to complete the change of address form.
• Call the Assessors' Office to change the address.

The assessed value (or assessment) is the value of property to be used for local taxation, as determined by the Assessors according to Massachusetts law and regulations set by the Commissioner of Revenue.

Valuation in Massachusetts is based on "full and fair cash value," the amount a willing buyer would pay a willing seller on the open market. Assessors must collect, record, and analyze a great deal of information about property and market characteristics in order to estimate the fair market value of all taxable properties in their communities. Properties such as churches and educational institutions are also valued even though they are exempt from taxation.

Assessors first inspect each property to record specific features of the land and building(s) that contribute to its value. Size, type, and quality of construction, number of baths, fireplaces, type of heating system - all are examples of the data listed on individual property record cards before the valuation process can begin.

Finding the full and fair cash value or market value of a property involves discovering what similar properties are selling for, what the property would cost today to replace and what financial factors, such as interest rates, may be affecting the real estate market.

Valuation techniques for commercial and industrial properties also include analysis from an investment point of view, since the purchase price the buyer is willing to pay depends in part on the return he expects to receive.

The Assessor does not create value. Rather, he/she has the legal responsibility to discover and reflect the changes that are occurring in the marketplace.

Since assessments must be set at market value, rising real estate values in the community will be reflected in generally higher assessments. All properties, however, do not change in value to exactly the same degree. Many factors influence values and the value of some properties – for example, those with water views may increase more rapidly than others.

If, in your opinion, the assessment of your property is too high, by all means, discuss this with the Board of Assessors. When you receive notice of a new value, you may make an appointment to talk with the Assessors. In meeting with them, you will want to be specific about why you disagree. Is there some misinformation on the property record card? Do you find values of comparable properties lower than yours? If so, it is helpful to cite specific examples.

Information on all the assessments in the community is available in the Assessors' Office. The appeal process is described on the tax bill.

If you believe that your value is too high, and need to file an overvaluation abatement in the Assessors Office by the due date of the 3rd Qtr. Tax Bill. If your application is received any time after the due date, it is considered late with the following exception. Note that abatement applications will be considered as filed timely if they are received in the mail after February 1 but have a postmark on the envelope of no later than February 1. This "postmark" rule applies only to those applications mailed to the proper address of the Assessors, first-class postage prepaid, with postmarks made by the United States Postal Service.

If the application is late, the Board of Assessors loses its jurisdiction to abate the bill. At that point, nothing can be done for the year in question. There are no exceptions.

After you file, you will be contacted by the Assessors Office to arrange for a complete interior and exterior inspection of your property. The inspection is an important part of our review of your application. If you refuse the inspection, the Board of Assessors will simply disallow your application. You will receive written notice regarding your application no later than three months after you file your application in the Assessors Office.

Please note that the tax bill is due and payable by the payment due date noted on the tax bill even if you file an overvaluation application. If you do receive an overvaluation abatement, the full amount will show as a credit on the fourth quarter or as a refund.

You must file an application by the due date of the 3rd quarter Actual Tax Bill at the Assessor's Office on the second floor of Town Hall. Before you file, you should ask yourself three questions:

• Is the data on my property correct?
• Is my value in line with others on my street?
• Is my assessed value in line with sale prices in my neighborhood for the relevant time period?

Remember that dissatisfaction with the amount of valuation increase and the resulting tax dollar increase is not grounds for receiving an overvaluation application. Filing an overvaluation application does not stay the collection of taxes. You must still pay your tax bill by the due date.

You may mail your application to:
Plymouth Board of Assessors
26 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360.

Please visit the Assessors Office to apply for an abatement or download the appropriate form.

You will receive a notice indicating the amount of the abatement and a credit will show on your next (4th Quarter) tax bill.

You can file an appeal within 3 months from the date the Board acted on your abatement:
State Appellate Tax Board
Saltonstall Building
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
Phone: 617-727-3100

You must pay your taxes pending your appeal.

Yes, you can download many of the Assessing Forms.

Personal property is business equipment, office machinery, inventory, and furniture and fixtures.

All business organizations are eligible to pay unless exempt by state statute for charitable, religious and non-profit status.

It is a state-required form notifying the Assessor's Office of any and all business equipment, furniture, fixtures and sales inventory for each year. Must be filed by March 1.

This form must be filed each year by all individuals, partnerships, associations, trusts, and corporations that own or hold taxable personal property on January 1, except telephone and telegraph companies and owners of pipelines that are required to file a personal property return with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Individuals owning or holding household furnishings and effects not located at their domicile on January 1 must also file State Tax Form 2HF. Literary, temperance, benevolent, charitable, or scientific organizations that may be entitled to an exemption must file State Tax Form 3 ABC listing all property they own or hold for those purposes on January 1.

Form of Lists must be filed by March 1 with the Board of Assessors in the city or town where the personal property is situated on January 1. If the property has no situs on January 1, it must be listed on a Form of List filed with the assessors in the city or town where you are domiciled (legal residence or place of business). A Form of List is not considered filed unless it is complete.

The Board of Assessors may extend the filing deadline if you can show a sufficient reason for not filing on time. The latest date the filing deadline can be extended is 30 days after the tax bills are mailed for the fiscal year. Requests for an extension must be made in writing to the assessors.

If you do not file a Form of List for the fiscal year, the assessors cannot grant abatement if you show a reasonable excuse for the late filing or the tax assessed is more than 150 percent of the amount that would have been assessed if the list had been filed. In that case, only the amount over that percentage can be abated. You can avoid this penalty by filing on time.

The information in the Form of List is used by the Board of Assessors to determine the taxable or exempt status of your personal property and, if taxable, its fair market value. You may also be required to provide the assessors with further information about the property in writing and asked to permit them to inspect it. Forms of List are not available to the public for inspection under the public records law. They are available only to the Board of Assessors and Massachusetts Department of Revenue for purposes of administering the tax laws.

Anyone who feels overvalued or exempt is eligible to file for an abatement. You must file an abatement form at the Assessor's Office within 30 days of the first actual tax bill for that fiscal year.

You should bring any information that supports your case.

Abatement filings and abatement amounts are public records. However, individual abatement applications are not public records.

A list of the Personal Property Tax Roll is available in the Assessor's Office.

"The clamming beds on the west side of Long Beach have been closed now for a few years. I have asked harbormaster staff on occasion if they know when it will reopen. They have responded they do not know when, even though they regularly test clams from that area which result in favorable results. Why are the clamming beds closed and when will they re-open?"

Growing area classifications are assigned based on the results of sanitary surveys done by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), not individual towns. The classification determines whether or not shellfish in the area can be harvested for human consumption.

In Massachusetts, there are five classifications:

• Approved: Open to shellfish harvesting/or direct human consumption subject to local rules and regulations. Closed only during major coast-wide events (e.g., hurricane, oil spill, red tide event).
• Conditionally Approved: Closed some of the time due to rainfall or seasonally poor water quality or other predictable events. When open, it is treated as an Approved area.
• Restricted: Contains a limited degree of contamination at all times. When open, shellfish can be relayed to a less contaminated area or harvested for depuration.
• Conditionally Restricted: Contains a limited degree of contamination at all times. Subject to intermittent pollution events and may close due to poor water quality from rainfall events or season. When open, only commercial harvesting of soft shell clams for depuration is allowed
• Prohibited: Closed to the harvest of shellfish under all conditions, except the gathering of seeds for municipal propagation programs under a DMF permit.

The inner harbor is identified by DMF as CCB42.l (majority of the inner harbor) and CCB42.2 (the small section along Long Beach that had been re-opened for a few years) and is classified as Prohibited CCB is Cape Cod Bay. CCB42.2 along Long Beach was classified as Prohibited due to recent determinations by the FDA. The FDA has been working with state agencies like DMF on new restrictions for shellfish harvesting when these areas are in close proximity to wastewater outfalls. Because of the presence of the Town's wastewater outfall pipe in the harbor and these new FDA regulations DMF re-classified the area as Prohibited It is important to note that the Sanitary Surveys sample bacteria and the concern for FDA in regards to wastewater outfalls are viruses and other pathogens and not bacteria. Hence an area can have low bacteria counts which in the past would have allowed harvesting to occur can now be close to an outfall pipe which results in it being a prohibited area now. I would not envision this classification changing unless and until the outfall into the harbor is discontinued.

The Plymouth Fire Department and Plymouth Police Department follow Massachusetts Civil Service Guidelines when hiring new personnel. Please visit the Human Resources Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Web site for information on Civil Service and for current exam information.

The Town of Plymouth posts vacancies on the Town’s Web site under Employment Opportunities and on bulletin boards located at Town Hall.

You can download the Employment Application (PDF). It is also available in the Human Resources office located at 26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360.

Yes, the Town of Plymouth requires all applicants to fill out a new application for each position they wish to be considered for.

No, all information must be complete on the application and the application must be signed.

Cover letters and résumés are recommended to properly represent your qualifications and provide additional information about you, but cannot serve as a substitute for completing the application.

Applications may be faxed (508-830-4140) in order to meet any applicable deadline, but the original, signed form must be mailed or hand-delivered in order to finalize the application process.

If the position is reopened for new applications, your application will be considered at that time.

Please remember, you need to submit a new application for each position you are interested in.

Parking is located at the Town Hall, and also on Lincoln Street. 

Town Hall:
26 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-747-1620

View directions online.

780 CMR: State Board of Building Regulations & Standards (Excerpt)

Residential Only

780 CMR R105.1 - Required - It shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, remove or demolish a building or structure; or to change the use or occupancy of a building or structure; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this code without first filing a written application with the building official and obtaining the required permit. A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs.

R105.2 Work Exempt from Permit - Except for activities which may require a permit pursuant to other laws, by-law, zoning by-laws, rules and the specialized codes M.G.L. c. 143, § 96, a building permit is not required for the following activities:

1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, but not garages, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 ft2 (18.58m2). A Zoning Permit may be required.
2. Fences not over seven feet (2,134 mm) high.
3. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge, or that retain over four feet of unbalanced fill.
4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
5. Sidewalks and driveways.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.
7. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 millimeters [mm]) deep.
8. Swings and other playground equipment. Refer to 521 CMR for accessibility requirements as applicable.
9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
10. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 square meters) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point, that are not attached to a dwelling and that do not serve the exit door required by subsection R311.4. A Zoning Permit may be required.
11. Greenhouses covered exclusively with plastic film. This exemption does not apply if the greenhouse is to be used for large assemblies of people or uses other than normally expected for this purpose.

R105.2.1 - Emergency Repairs: Where replacements and repairs governed by 780 CMR must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.

Commercial / Industrial Only

780 CMR R105.1 - Required - It shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair, remove or demolish a building or structure; or to change the use or occupancy of a building or structure; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this code without first filing a written application with the building official and obtaining the required permit.

105.2 Work Exempt from Permit - Except for activities which may require a permit pursuant to other laws, by-law, zoning by-laws, rules and the specialized codes of M.G.L. c.143, § 96, a building permit is not required for the following activities:

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet (11 square meters).
• Fences not over seven feet (2,134 mm) high. A Zoning permit may be required.
• Oil derricks.
• Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is not greater than 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width is not greater than 2-to-1.
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.
• Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, are not greater than 5,000 gallons (18,925 liters) and are installed entirely above ground.
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings. See also 521 CMR for accessibility requirements as applicable.
• Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies, supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
• Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1,753 mm) in height.
• Greenhouses covered exclusively with plastic film. This exemption does not apply if the greenhouse is to be used for large assemblies of people or uses other than normally expected for this purpose.
• Replacement or repair of any component or components of a fire protection system, where such does not affect system performance and compatibility. No building permit is required for maintenance. Other permits, however, may be required pursuant to applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 148, § 27A and of 527 CMR.

Purpose

The Town of Plymouth promotion banner policy is intended to organize and manage the display of promotion banners in the Historic Downtown that are to display banners promoting Plymouth events.

Guidelines

• That all promotion banner request applications be completed and be submitted to the Office of Economic Development no later than sixty days prior to requested dates.
• That all approved requests are subject to the Promotion Banner Procedure and minimum standards as outlined in the Town of Plymouth Promotion Banner Specifications.
• That a non-refundable fee of $200 be assessed to the sponsor organization.
• That all organizations are subject to the Town of Plymouth Promotion Banner Procedure.
• Banners promoting private business activities are prohibited.

Applicability

The Town of Plymouth Promotion Banner Policy applies to any group, organization, or individual that wishes to display a promotion banner across a public way. Individual businesses are prohibited from displaying promotional banners.

Promotion Banner Specifications
MINIMUM STANDARDS

• The Town of Plymouth requires that any/all promotion banners displayed on the Town Promotion Banner System meet the following standards.
•  All banners are to be installed by the Town of Plymouth or its designee at the approved location.
•  All banners must conform to the Town of Plymouth sign code(s).
•  18 oz. opaque white banner
•  Wind slits every 2-3 feet
•  Banner height not to exceed 30 inches 
•  Banner length not to exceed 30 feet  
•  Sewn-in D- rings in all 4 corners, with 1 inch wide nylon strapping material banner double stitched along the length of banner for all borders and for the D rings
•  This double stitched edge shall be folded on all 4 sides
•  Grommets every 3 feet on top and bottom

Questions

Questions regarding the Town of Plymouth Promotion Banner Policy may be directed to the Office of Economic Development at 508-747-1620, ext. 10144.

Please, contact the Parks Department 508-830-4162, ext. 12116 or 12112

Yes, it is public place and anyone can use it. Nelson Park is open to all and groups are welcome to use the area.

Town of Plymouth does not issue permits for birthday parties, family gatherings, weddings

Parking and usage is based on first come first serve.

No bouncy houses allowed.

Special Event Permitting

Examples of when a Special Event Permit is required:
(This list is not inclusive, these are just examples.)

• Walks Bike/road Races
• Sidewalk Sales
• Fundraisers
• Carnivals
• Block Parties
• Parades
• Concerts
• Farmer's Markets

Events are scheduled on a first-come first-served basis, subject to preference based upon degree of benefit to the general public, as determined in the following order: events held to raise funds for charitable purposes; events held by other non-profit entities; all other events. The Town does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or other class protected under Federal or State law.

For any questions or inquires, please contact Laurie Maiolini-Ayotte at 508-747-1620 Ext 10144

Public Records Requests | Plymouth, MA (plymouth-ma.gov)

You may request septic and well records (As-Built, Title 5 Inspection reports, location, etc.) through the Public Records (link above). Please note that every effort will be made to locate the requested records. However, there are occasions where records may not be available for older properties. 

Syringe Service Programs in Massachusetts:

Some of the disposal locations nearby are: 

• BAMSI Outreach 385 Court St, Basement Suite, Plymouth, MA
• Plymouth Town Hall - Public Health Office, 26 Court St. (1st floor), Plymouth, MA

Under Massachusetts law, syringes must be properly disposed of in a sharps container.  

Residents are asked to collect their syringes and needles in hard plastic detergent or bleach bottles, no larger than 1 gallon size (with screw on tops) to deposit into the kiosk. Red biohazard sharps containers no larger than 1 gallon are also acceptable.

      Not Allowed in Kiosk

• Medications or Pills of any kind
• Clear Plastic Containers
• Plastic Bags or Baggies
• Plastic Water or Soda Bottles

You may email Plymouth County Mosquito or call 781-585-5450.

You may be eligible for a septic loan through the Town of Plymouth. For more information, please contact Community Development or call 508-747-1620, ext. 10149.

You may also reach out to the MassHousing website.

The Plymouth Public Health Department tests public bathing beaches, in accordance with the MA State Sanitary Code Ch. VII. The Town does not perform water quality tests for private ponds and/or beaches. There are several labs in the area that will perform this test at your request. You may search through Google or go to the MA DEP website to find a water testing facility.

Please note, the Town of Plymouth does not endorse nor provide preferential treatment to any business.

The Plymouth Public Health Department does not perform the testing of wells. There are several labs in the area that will perform this test at your request. You may search through Google or go to the MA DEP website to find a water testing facility.

Please note, the Town of Plymouth does not endorse nor provide preferential treatment to any business.

Once a body of water is identified, the Marine and Environmental Department will place signs at the public entrance(s) to alert the public. The State Department of Public Health maintains an active list of confirmed cyanobacteria blooms on its website.

Sign up for alerts and notifications.

Take a photo, document the location, and email the Plymouth Public Health or email the Plymouth Marine and Environmental Department.

Cyanobacteria Bloom Response Procedures (PDF)

• Advisories are not lifted until the water has been consistently clear for two weeks.
• Associations without public access are encouraged to post the Cyanobacteria Advisory Sign (PDF) in visible areas once a bloom is confirmed.
  • It is up to private pond associations to incorporate testing into their management plan, should they wish to do so.
• Only public bathing beaches are tested for e-coli bacteria per state health regulations, due to the large number of water bodies and expense of testing.
• Ponds with active blooms are identified and confirmed by visual observation for cyanobacteria by the state.

A confirmation of cyanobacteria bloom does not necessarily indicate it is toxic. Cyanobacteria may give off microcystin toxins. However, all cyanobacteria blooms are treated as potentially toxic to ensure public health.

• Advisories are not lifted until the water has been consistently clear for two weeks.
• Animals, birds, and fish can also be affected by high levels of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.
  • If your animal goes into the water, be sure to rinse them off thoroughly.
  • If your animal ingests water and shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian.
• Skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle and joint pain, blisters of the mouth, and liver damage.
• Swimmers in water containing cyanobacterial toxins may suffer allergic reactions, such as asthma, eye irritation, rashes, and blisters around the mouth and nose.

A bright green film that looks like "paint" in the water. May contain small white specs in the water column. Looks like an oil slick, green specks, pea green layer on the surface. View images (PDF) or visit Identifying cyanobacterial blooms and scums for more examples.

• Floating algae
• Has a musty odor
• It has a fuzzy appearance and is often green in color with blue highlights.

• Changes in Ph (phosphorous and/or nitrogen)
• Cyanobacteria are naturally occurring
• Failing cesspools/septic systems. Even non-failing systems contribute nutrients as septic systems only treat for bacteria, not phosphorus or nitrogen.
• Hot temperatures
• Increased rainfall
• Sediments in the bottom of ponds contain phosphorus from continuous loading from agriculture, septic systems, stormwater, rainfall, and fertilizers. Under low oxygen environments when temperatures increase can decrease the level of oxygen in the water column, thereby releasing the phosphorus from the sediment which feeds the cyanobacteria.
• Waterbodies with increased nutrients (phosphorus or nitrogen) will potentially feed the cyanobacteria into a bloom.

• Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) in Water Bodies
• Harmful Algae Blooms in Freshwater Bodies
• Understanding Cyanobacteria in Our Ponds - Wildlands Trust Zoom Talk with Hilary Snook, senior scientist for the USEPA's New England Regional Laboratory.

You can visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website for the latest information and frequently asked questions. 

You can visit the CDC website for the latest information.

• Drop off in person - permit, soils, plan, and a check for payment or
• Email Plymouth Public Health a copy of the  permit, soils, plan, and copy of the check as PDF and mail all originals to: 
  • Town of Plymouth - Health Department 
    26 Court St. 
    Plymouth, MA 02360
  • Or you may pay at the City Hall Systems website.

• There is a $100 fee to pick up permits. This pays for the final inspection and backfill.
• Permits can be picked up in person or by using our online payment system.
• If paying online, you must upload the Permit Pick-Up Acknowledgement and Payment form (PDF) so we will know the address of the subject property.
  • The permit will then be emailed to you for a digital signature once the payment is received.
• If you prefer to mail a check, please make it payable to the Town of Plymouth and mail to: 26 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360 Attn: Health Department
  • You must include a copy of the Permit Pick-Up Acknowledgement and Payment form (PDF) with your payment.
  • The permit will be emailed to you for a digital signature once the payment is received.
• The installer must email Plymouth Public Healththeir requests for further instructions

Complete the perc test application (PDF) and mail, drop it off in person, or upload to the online payment system.  For mail and drop-off, include a check for $350 for the fee, payable to the Town of Plymouth. If paying online, you can upload the application there. Once received, we will call to schedule a date and time. 

• As-Builts can be dropped off in person or email Karen Keane or email Dana Burke.
• Also, you will need to obtain a copy of the As-Built from the engineer to have on site for the inspection.
• Please include the best number to reach you at and we will contact you to schedule an inspection. (Inspections will not be scheduled until we have received an As-Built)
• Please allow for at least 24-hours notice.

• Drop off in person or mail to: Plymouth Public Health 26 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360.
  • Include a check for $75 made payable to the Town of Plymouth or submit and pay online at the City Hall Systems website

Fee Schedule (PDF)

All requests should still be made through our Public Records page.

Plymouth County Mosquito Control
Phone: 781-585-5450
Plymouthmosquito.org

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
40 Industrial Park Rd
Plymouth, MA 02360
Mass.gov

Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Phone: 508-746-1622
Plimoth.org

Social Security Administration
198 Columbia Road
Hanover, MA 02339

Local Number: 781-826-7506
Toll-Free: 800-772-1213
TTY: 781-829-9297

SSA.gov

Visit the USA Thanksgiving website for more information.

Department of Transitional Assistance
61 Industrial Park Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-732-3100
Mass.gov - Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)

Both will be on July 4th - view the July4Plymouth website for times and the parade route.

Visit the July4Plymouth website or call 508-746-1388.

4 North Street
Suite 2
Phone: 508-747-5929
ParkPlymouth website

Please contact 508-830-9200 or visit Plymouthdeeds.org.

Please visit the Memorial Hall website for more information.

Eversource (Gas and Electric)
Phone: 800-592-2000

Water Department
Phone: 508-830-4162, ext. 138

Animal Control page
Phone: 508-888-1186

Please note: If you find a dog with a Plymouth license, you can look up the owner on the Town of Plymouth Lost Dog - Owner Search website.

Work permits are available at:

• Plymouth North High School
• Plymouth South High School
• PCIS
• Plymouth School Administration

Download the Youth Employment Application (PDF) for more information.

View the Hours and Directions page for more information.

View the Mass.gov - Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) page for more information.

WIC Office
123-1 Camelot Drive
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-747-4933

South Shore Community Action
Phone: 508-746-6707

Plymouth Probate Court
52 Obery Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: 508-747-6204

Currently, all properties in town are billed in 3-month cycles, not including seasonal customers who are billed twice a year. Each bill will be based on actual usage during the read dates as well as a flat infrastructure charge for each service. For more information on the rates please follow the Water/Sewer rates link on the left of the page in the self-service link area.

When water runs rapidly through pipes, sediment gets stirred up into the flow such as when hydrants are flushed or during the summer when usage on the system is at its highest. If your water is discolored, let the outside spigot run for several minutes until the water is clear. If you continue to have problems please call us at 508-830-4162.

Your real estate agent should have taken care of this already. If you have no agent please check with the closing attorney. All outstanding utility bills stay with the property and if no closing is ordered you will be responsible for any outstanding balances due along with interest, penalties, and possibly liens.

Please note: Real estate agents must submit a Final Reading Request via email 7 to 10 business days before the closing to ensure a reading can be done on time for the closing. You can find the online submittal form on the Self Serve Information page.

Coming soon we will be using an online service form. Please stay tuned for this exciting new program!

No, the Town does not currently fluoridate the water.

Your neighbor more than likely uses less water than you. We do not bill by the number of people in the house, how often you wash your car, or how many loads of laundry you do, but by the amount of water that flows through and registers on your meter.

Tagging is the most effective way for our meter crew to let the homeowner know there is a repair that needs to be done. It is up to the homeowner to schedule the appointment so the work can be completed. If the homeowner does not schedule the repair, their bill will be estimated gradually higher and will not be eligible for an abatement.

The town is only responsible for the stop in the street and the meter itself on the homeowner's property. Anything other than those is the responsibility of the homeowner. If the street is public, the town maintains the water mains, however, if the street is private, the homeowners on that street are required to complete the repair as a group in a timely manner.

Certified copies of Vital Records can only be obtained through the Town Clerk's Office. Please visit the Town Clerk's Vital Records page to request a certified copy of a vital record.

If you object to the Town’s response, in accordance with G.L. c. 66, §10 and 950 CMR 32.00, you may appeal to the following office via mail, fax, or e-mail: Supervisor of Public Records, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Public Records Division, One Ashburton Place, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. Fax: (617) 727-5914 Email: pre@sec.state.ma.us  

Under the Public Records Regulations, all appeals to the Supervisor must include a copy of the original request, any response by the RAO and a statement indicating the reason for the appeal. The requester must also provide a copy of the appeal petition to the RAO. By law, the Supervisor is required to respond within 10 business days of receipt of your appeal. In accordance with G.L. c. 66, §10A(c), you have the right to seek judicial review of an unfavorable decision by commencing a civil action in the Superior Court.

Some Public Records are digitized and available to the public on this site. Please use the search bar in the top right corner of the page to look for records that may already be available.

The easiest way to submit a request is by clicking the FOIA Direct button on the sidebar. This will direct you to a form you can fill out. You may also submit a request via first class mail addressed to the Records Access Officer (RAO): Connor Anderson, Archivist/Public Records Access Officer, 26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. Requests may also be made in-person at 26 Court Street., Plymouth, MA 02360.

Individuals making requests in-person are not required to give their names or contact information. For in-person requests that require additional time for a comprehensive response, requesters will be advised to check in periodically with the RAO, or requesters may voluntarily provide contact information. Voluntary Public Records Request Forms shall be available in all municipal offices.

To facilitate timely responses to public records requests, requests should be as specific as possible, detailing, if known, records custodian(s), and date and subject matter parameters. The more specific the request, the better able the RAO will be to respond, as broad requests often require more extensive staff efforts to locate, review and copy all possibly responsive records.

Written requests received during normal business hours will be considered received on that date. Written requests sent via email or facsimile after normal business hours shall not be considered received until the following business day. Business days shall not include Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

The RAO may ask for more information to assist the requester to make an appropriate request and/or to enable the RAO to respond more efficiently.

Every record that is made or received by a government entity or employee is presumed to be a public record unless a specific statutory exemption permits or requires it to be withheld in whole or in part. This includes digital records such as emails, social media posts, and other born-digital records.

No, unfortunately we are unable to process payments over the phone.

Payments can be made:

• At Town Hall in person with the Tax Collector’s Office during regular business hours.
• Online through the Town of Plymouth website.
• Utilizing the 24-hour payment kiosk located at the rear of Plymouth Town Hall
• Payments can be left in the payment drop box located at the rear of Plymouth Town Hall. Do not leave cash in the drop box.
• Payments may be mailed using the envelope provided with your tax bill or sent directly to the Tax Collector’s Office 26 Court Street Plymouth, MA 02360. 

Please contact the Deputy Tax Collector, Hobin & Hobin, (508) 747-4344.

A demand bill is a result of an unpaid tax bill. A demand fee will be assessed to accounts with an outstanding balance. 

If you receive a real estate demand bill and your taxes are escrowed and paid by your mortgage lender, please do not ignore as the Tax Collector’s records indicates that an outstanding balance remains on your account. 

It is the obligation of the taxpayer to seek out a bill if one is not received; fees and interest will not be waived. (See Massachusetts General Law Ch 60, Sec 3 and Ch 60, Sec 15) The Town of Plymouth is not responsible for bills or payments lost in the mail. Failure to receive the bill does not relieve the obligation. 

Water bills are mailed quarterly and are due within 30 days of issuance. Pay your Water & Sewer bills by visiting the Online Payments webpage.

Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes

The fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year. 

Bills are mailed semi-annually on June 30th and December 31st. Payments are due quarterly.

Payment Due Dates

Mailed on June 30th

• Quarter 1 is Due on August 1st (Preliminary Bill) 
• Quarter 2 is Due on Nov. 1st (Preliminary Bill)

Mailed on December 31st

• Quarter 3 is Due on February 1st (Actual Bill)
• Quarter 4 is Due on May 1st (Actual Bill)

Request a Municipal Lien Certificate by visiting the Treasurer/Collector's webpage. 

• Residential properties: $50.00    
• Four or more family residences: $100.00
• Commercial or Industrial properties: $150.00

• Retain the taxpayer copy of your tax bill for your records.
• Contact your mortgage company.
• Check your bank statements.
• Complete a public records request and send it to the Tax Collector’s Office 26 Court St, Plymouth, MA 02360. Your request will be answered within 10 business days.

A Land Court citation is an official notice that the Town has filed a complaint to foreclose rights of redemption for non-payment of real estate taxes on a parcel which you may own or in which you may have another type of legal interest. Any parties who have received a Land Court citation should file a response by the date indicated on the citation. If a response is not filed, the Town can file a motion for general default and request the court to review the case for issuance of a foreclosure judgement.