The Department of Municipal Inspections (DMI) was created by vote of Town Meeting in May, 2007 and became effective July 1, 2008.  The DMI consolidated the functions of four separate Town departments (Planning, Building, Conservation, and Health) into a single more efficient Department with better ability to coordinate overlapping activities.  The DMI provides professional expertise and support services to Town Boards, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Board of Health, and Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as the Community Preservation Committee and others.

The Town Administrator serves under the Town's General Bylaws as the Director of Municipal Inspections and the day-to-day activities of the DMI are overseen by the Assistant Town Administrator / Town Planner, Andrew R. Port, AICP, acting as Department Head.  The Secretary for the Board of Appeals and the Community Preservation Coordinator (working for the Community Preservation Committee ) also report to the Department Head for their related duties.

We welcome feedback from residents, businesses and the general public about Department services and operations.  We also invite anyone (particularly developers of large scale projects) to request a roundtable discussion with key staff at a Development Review Meeting (DRM).  Development Review Meetings are held on a monthly basis to coordinate permitting and development review functions of the DMI staff as well as the Department of Public Works (DPW), Fire Department, and other town agencies.  Additional meetings are scheduled as needed to address a particular issue or development project (current or pending).  Anyone who wishes to save time and expense during the permitting process is encouraged to meet with the DRM team to review a project proposal early in the design and permitting process and identify major obstacles or solutions.

Currently the DRM team consists of the following:

• Town Planner

• Building Commissioner

• Conservation Agent

• Health Agent

• Fire Prevention Officer & Deputy Fire Chief

• DPW Superintendent

We also encourage anyone with work pending or before the Department (or its related Town Boards) to obtain information online 24/7 through this website.  Additional Information will be posted shortly.  In the meantime, the following links are suggested:

Bylaws & Regulations

Maps & GIS

Forms, Permits & Applications

Calendar of Events (includes Board meeting schedules)

If you have any additional questions or feedback, please contact the applicable office (listed above), fill out our Feedback Form, or send a message to the Department's general mailbox at inspections@hanover-ma.gov .