Operating a Business in Orleans

Whether you own, manage, or are thinking of starting a business in Orleans, we are here to answer your questions and help.

In Orleans, we value every unique business in our community, so the process may vary based on your specific needs.

Below are four sample paths: Retail, Restaurant, Food Truck, and Hotel, Motel, and Motor Inn. 

Please contact our Assistant Planner with questions or for assistance.

Welcome to Orleans!

Please use the side directional arrows to navigate between the different menus and click all hyperlinks for more details.

Orleans Massachusetts

Retail

Retail is the sale of goods and services to consumers for their own use. Retailers typically sell items in-store, but some items may be sold online or over the phone and then shipped to the customer. Examples of retail businesses include clothing, drug, grocery, and convenience stores.

Site Plan Review Committee: This committee is comprised of representatives from seven Town departments to provide guidance on development proposals to improve design and assist developers in their understanding of the local permitting process. 

Meeting with this committee will likely be your first stop, as an informal review is available to anyone seeking direction or guidance for a proposed project. 

Here is the Site Plan Review Application.

The Site Plan Review Committee meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

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Architectural Review Committee: This committee reviews all exterior alterations and signage, while promoting the continuation of attractive building and landscaping styles, with a good blending of the old and the new.

Here is the Architectural Review Application.

This Architectural Review Committee meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month.

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Building Department: This department evaluates all projects on a case-by-case basis and oversees the many projects requiring a building permit.

Here you can find Building Permits, Applications, & Fees and the Online Permit Portal.

This department also oversees Old King's Highway Regional District Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Architectural Review Committee.

The Building Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall.

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Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): The ZBA reviews applications, hears petitions, and makes determinations on requests for special permits and variances.

Here are the Zoning Bylaws and the ZBA  Application.

The ZBA meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

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Forms and Resources

Hotel, Motel, and Motor Inn

A Hotel, Motel, or Motor Inn is a group of rental units for human habitation under one (1) roof which shall not provide space for cooking within each unit and may include an apartment and office for the resident manager as well as customary public facilities for the patrons. "Hotels, motels or motor inns" shall be considered a business use of the land occupied.

Site Plan Review Committee: This committee is comprised of representatives from seven Town departments to provide guidance on development proposals to improve design and assist developers in their understanding of the local permitting process. 

Meeting with this committee will likely be your first stop, as an informal review is available to anyone seeking direction or guidance for a proposed project. 

Here is the Site Plan Review Application.

The Site Plan Review Committee meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Architectural Review Committee: This committee reviews all exterior alterations and signage, while promoting the continuation of attractive building and landscaping styles, with a good blending of the old and the new.

Here is the Architectural Review Application.

This Architectural Review Committee meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building Department: This department evaluates all projects on a case-by-case basis and oversees the many projects requiring a building permit.

Here you can find Building Permits, Applications, & Fees and the Online Permit Portal.

This department also oversees Old King's Highway Regional District Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Architectural Review Committee.

The Building Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): The ZBA reviews applications, hears petitions, and makes determinations on requests for special permits and variances.

Here are the Zoning Bylaws and the ZBA  Application.

The ZBA meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health Department: Responsible for enforcing state and local public health regulations relating to food service establishments, septic systems, public and semi-public swimming pools, and minimum standards for housing.

This department works closely with the Board of Health, Water Department, Department of Public Works & Natural Resources, and Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners.

The Health Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall.

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Forms and Resources

Restaurant

A Restaurant is an establishment for the sale of on-premise food, the majority of which is served and consumed at tables or counters on the premises with open plates and utensils, and not in bags or containers suitable for takeout. Any take-out service conducted at a conventional restaurant shall be incidental and subordinate to the on-premise dining.

Site Plan Review Committee: This committee is comprised of representatives from seven Town departments to provide guidance on development proposals to improve design and assist developers in their understanding of the local permitting process. 

Meeting with this committee will likely be your first stop, as an informal review is available to anyone seeking direction or guidance for a proposed project. 

Here is the Site Plan Review Application.

The Site Plan Review Committee meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Architectural Review Committee: This committee reviews all exterior alterations and signage, while promoting the continuation of attractive building and landscaping styles, with a good blending of the old and the new.

Here is the Architectural Review Application.

This Architectural Review Committee meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building Department: This department evaluates all projects on a case-by-case basis and oversees the many projects requiring a building permit.

Here you can find Building Permits, Applications, & Fees and the Online Permit Portal.

This department also oversees Old King's Highway Regional District Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Architectural Review Committee.

The Building Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): The ZBA reviews applications, hears petitions, and makes determinations on requests for special permits and variances.

Here are the Zoning Bylaws and the ZBA  Application.

The ZBA meets the first and third Wednesday of the month.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health Department: Responsible for enforcing state and local public health regulations relating to food service establishments, septic systems, public and semi-public swimming pools, and minimum standards for housing.

This department works closely with the Board of Health, Water Department, Department of Public Works & Natural Resources, and Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners.

The Health Department is located on the second floor of Town Hall.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Board of Health: Protects the public health, safety and environment of the community through enforcement of state laws, the sanitary and environmental code, adopting reasonable local health regulations, and by implementing preventive programs.

Click here for Board of Health Regulations.

The Board of Health meets the first and third Thursday of the month.

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Forms and Resources

Food Truck

A food truck is a large, motorized vehicle or trailer that is equipped to cook, prepare, serve, and sell food.

Site Plan Review Committee: Provides guidance on development proposals to improve design and assist developers in their understanding of the local permitting process. 

This will likely be your first stop.

An informal review is available to anyone seeking direction or guidance for a proposed project. 

Representatives from 7 Town Departments comprise this committee, which meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Architectural Review Committee: Promotes the continuation of attractive building and landscaping styles, with a good blending of the old and the new.

This committee reviews all exterior alterations and signage and meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building Department: Evaluates all projects on a case-by-case basis and oversees the many projects requiring a building permit.

The Building Department also oversees Old King's Highway Regional District Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Architectural Review Committee.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA): Reviews applications, hears petitions, and makes determinations on requests for special permits and variances.

Click here for the Zoning Bylaws. 

The ZBA meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health Department: Responsible for enforcing state and local public health regulations relating to food service establishments, septic systems, public and semi-public swimming pools, and minimum standards for housing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Board of Health: Protects the public health, safety and environment of the community through enforcement of state laws, the sanitary and environmental code, adopting reasonable local health regulations, and by implementing preventive programs.

Click here for Board of Health Regulations.

The Board of Health meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forms and Resources