Frequently Asked Questions

Beach Parking Stickers are only required for parking your car in a town beach parking lot during the summer. You do not need a sticker if you walk, cycle, roller skate, get dropped off, take a taxi, etc. Also, you do not need a sticker from about the 2nd week of September through mid-June. For more information please call 508-548-8623.

A beach sticker is issued to a specific vehicle. A resident beach sticker requires the vehicle be registered to a Falmouth resident (at least 12 months) or a Falmouth property owner. For more information please call 508-548-8623.

We’ll look at the name on your vehicle registration. It must match either the name on your real estate tax account, or your name in the town census records. For more information please call 508-548-8623.

How to apply for a beach sticker:

-You may fill out an application between January and May 31st and mail it to:

Town of Falmouth

P.O. Box 904

Falmouth, MA 02541

-You can apply in person at the Ellen T. Mitchell Bathhouse at 56 Surf Drive beginning Memorial Day Weekend

To get started:

You’ll have to apply in person at the Ellen T. Mitchell Bathhouse Building on Surf Drive only. Bring relevant documentation (e.g. lease, rental agreement, trust beneficiary page, company business card, etc.). For more information please call 508-548-8623.

Subdivision plans made to create your lot, usually before the house is built. These plans are the same plans that are listed on your deed. This office has some, but not all, on file. The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds maintains the legal file of subdivision plans.

The Title 5 plans, showing the proposed septic system, have been required since 1973 and may be on file at the Board of Health Department.

Some street lights are privately owned and maintained. To confirm that the light in question is owned by the Town of Falmouth, please call Pine Ridge at (781)-246-5555. Have the nearest address or preferably, the pole number for the light.

No. The Town Engineering Office does not have plot plans. 

Plot Plans, also known as Site Plans or Certified Plot Plans, are surveyed plans that show the buildings on your lot. The Building Department has required the filing of certified plot plans for new construction since 1988 and for additions and renovations since 1995. There may be one on file in the building department.

Another source is your mortgage company. Part of the closing requirements usually include the requirement to produce a plot plan. This may be found in your closing papers or with your mortgage company. There is no legal requirement to record or file plot plans. Please note some plot plans for mortgage surveys are "TAPED" surveys and may not be accurate enough for determining lot lines.

Subdivision plans made to create your lot, usually before the house is built. These plans are the same plans that are listed on your deed. This office has some, but not all, on file. The Barnstable County Registry of Deeds maintains the legal file of subdivision plans.

GIS (Geographic Information System) maps, are computerized maps which are built up in layers. The property lines are from the Assessors’ maps (which are for assessing purposes only), and additional details such as roof lines, water features, and driveways come from a variety of sources. GIS maps are accepted by some departments and not by others. The office requesting the plan determines their acceptability.

The Title V plans, showing the proposed septic system, have been required since 1973 and may be on file at the Board of Health Department.

This information is available on the Mass.gov website

Call Nauset Disposal at (508) 591-0948

Department of Public Works at 508-457-2543

Generally speaking, improvements that increase the market value of a property will increase the assessment. The following examples are typical items that may increase the assessed value of your property:

- Added rooms or garages

- Central air conditioning

- Extensive remodeling

- Fireplaces

- In ground pools, decks

- Kitchen or baths

- Substantial modernization

For more information please call 508-495-7380.

You will need to file an abatement application with the Assessors Office within 30 days of the issuance of the actual tax bill (3rd quarter bill). The Taxpayer should pay the bill as rendered while his/her abatement application is pending to avoid interest and penalties. The Board of Assessors has 3 months in which to act on your application. They will notify you on an approved Department of Revenue form of their decision with that time. If not acted on favorably, it is automatically denied at the end of the three-month period. For more information please call 508-495-7380.

Moorings may not be sold. Transfers are only allowed between direct blood relatives, using our Mooring Transfer Request Form (PDF).

Falmouth Harbors are wait listed. Every year between January 1st and March 15th you may fill out a wait list form, pay a $25 fee for each list, and your name will be added to the wait list. Residents of Falmouth as well as non-residents are allowed to apply for a mooring permit.

The length of time you'll have to wait for a mooring varies from harbor to harbor. General information about wait times for specific harbors can be found on our

https://www.falmouthma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19397/2025-application-breakdown-for-time

The Town Marina rents slips only. To learn more about fees, you may call our office at 508-457-2550 or you may visit our Marina Transient Dockage Fees.

You can buy a fishing license at the following location:

Falmouth Bait and Tackle Co.

258 Teaticket Highway

Phone: 508-457-0700

Per the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, no permit is required for the taking of blue crabs unless using SCUBA. There is a limit of 25 crabs/day. The minimum harvest size is 5 in shell width (spine to spine). Egg bearers cannot be taken. It is unlawful to fish for blue crabs by trap to retain blue crabs taken in a trap. Only actively tended gear may be fished for blue crabs.

The Falmouth Water Department annual fees and water rates last increased July 1st, 2024. The current rates are: "FY25".  Effective July 1st, 2025, "FY26" annual fees and water rates will become effective for semi-annual customers and quarterly customers.  For additional questions, please contact our DPW Administration at 508-457-2543.

Its very simple. Call the main DPW number and request a seasonal shutoff/turn on. If we can get the request at least 3 working days prior to the date you want this done we can accommodate your request. The fee for each turn on/turn off is $75 when done during regular working hours. After hour turn on/turn offs, if performed will be billed in accordance with the current fee structure. For more information please call 508-457-2543.

Permit applications are available at the Building Department on the lower level of the Town Hall, or by visiting https://www.falmouthma.gov/313/Online-Permitting.

Yes, there are TWO drop boxes that can be utilized.  One is to the right of the front door at Town Hall and the other is on the left-hand side of the walkway into Town Hall.

Contact Invoice Cloud for assistance 866-385-2043.

Yes, call 844-329-8360

Please call 508-495-7370

Go to: townpay.com

-Enter your license number

-Enter your date of birth

Yes, we encourage you to do so. At the end of your application for a specific job opening, you will have the option to upload a resume and/or cover letter. When you submit your application, the uploaded documents will be attached to the application.

The Board of Selectmen’s (BOS) Strategic Plan looks to merge Town boards to achieve greater efficiency. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40C will allow the Historic Districts Commission to take on the responsibilities of the Historical Commission, providing residents of Falmouth a single board that advocates for and protects the town’s historic character.

Members of the former Historic Districts Commission (HDC) and Historical Commission (HC), as well as any other interested individuals can submit a letter of interest to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) if they wish to be considered for membership on the newly combined Commission. The BOS will interview interested members of the public and make appointments from this pool of candidates.

Resource Area means any of the areas specified in Falmouth Wetland Regulations (FWR) 10.25 through 10.40 and FWR 10.54 through 10.60. It is used synonymously with Areas Subject to Protection Under Chapter 235 of the Code of Falmouth and Areas Subject to Protection Under Massachusetts General Law. Chapter 131 Section 40 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each type of Resource Area, which is enumerated in FWR 10.02 (1), is listed:

- Bank

- Beach

- Bog

- Coastal Wetland

- Creek

- Dune

- Estuary

- Flat

- Freshwater Wetland

- Lake

- Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage Land Subject to Flooding

- Land Subject to Flooding or Inundation by Groundwater or Surface Water

- Land Subject to Tidal Action

- Land Under Waterbodies

- Land Within 100 Feet of the Areas Listed in FWR 10.02 (1)(a) Through (h)

- Lands and waters within the Black Beach/Great Sippewissett Marsh District of Critical Planning Concern

- Lands and waters within the Waquoit Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern

- Marsh

- Ocean

- Pond

- Reservoir

- Stream

- Swamp

- Vernal Pool

- Wet Meadow

Definitions of these Resource Areas can be found in FWR 10.23 through 10.40. Definitions of Areas Subject to Protection Under Massachusetts General Law. Chapter 131 Section 40 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These and more can be found online on the Mass DEP website

The appeal process generally takes approximately two months. Because each application is different, some may take more time, and some less. You can help move the process along by providing the Board with accurate, up-to-date information, making sure that you have provided all necessary information (including Certified Plot Plans) and making sure that your property is clearly numbered and the locations of proposed construction are clearly staked at least seven days prior to the hearing date.

View the Directions for Filing an Application

Town Code

Nauset Disposal is the Town's new trash company. If you have any problems with the company missing your trash or recycling please call 508-591-0948.

The Moderator - The Moderator presides over and conducts all sessions of the Town Meeting, establishes procedures, and declares all votes.

-Town Clerk - The Town Clerk shall serve as Clerk of the Town Meeting, keeps a detailed journal of all Town Meeting procedures and records all votes.

-Town Counsel - The Town Counsel provides legal advice to Town Meeting.

-Board of Selectmen - The Board of Selectmen prepares the warrant for Town Meeting, makes recommendations and is available to advise Town Meeting on articles of the warrant.

-Town Manager - The Town Manager is the Chief Operating Officer who prepares and submits the budget to the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee. He provides advice to Town Meeting relating to the budget and to other articles on the warrant.

-Assistant Town Manager - The Assistant Town Manager provides advice to Town Meeting and may be called upon to give presentations related to articles on the warrant.

-Administrative Assistant to the Finance Committee - The Administrative Assistant maintains a running total of all appropriations and funding sources of articles that have been voted upon.

-Finance Committee Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles where money is being appropriated and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Finance Committee.

-Planning Board Chairman - The Chairman makes the motion to Town Meeting on all articles related to the Zoning By-laws and is available to provide advice to Town Meeting. The motion is based on the recommendation of the Planning Board.

For more information please call 508-495-7360.

Monday - Thursday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm 

Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday  - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday - 8:30am - 5:00 pm

Mon-Fri 12-4:45pm

Saturday & Sunday 12-4:30pm

Please complete a Field Use Form and turn it into the office staff here at the Recreation Department. Your request will be reviewed by the recreation committee. If approved, we will work with you to see if your date and time is available. Field Use Form

Yes, there are outdoor pickleball courts in Falmouth located at the North and West Falmouth tennis courts.  . They are open to the public but have certain times that pickleball can play so please refer to the posted signs at the tennis courts

We also have indoor pickleball courts at the Gus Canty Community Center that have designated groups/hours to play.  Please call the Recreation Department at 508-457-2567 for more information.

Log into your Employee Forward account here. Navigate to the Pay History tab and click on a paycheck to open its summary. Click on the "Printable pay stub" button to generate a PDF copy of the paycheck that you can save or print.

Log into your Employee Forward account here. Navigate to the Direct Deposits tab to review your bank(s) and distributions.

You may change your bank(s) and distributions at any time by completing the Direct Deposit Authorization Form and sending it to Human Resources. If you have questions as you fill out the form, please call Human Resources at 508-495-7330.

Shellfish Permits available online at: https://falmouthstickers.townhall247.com

OR

Town Clerk's Office,

59 Town Hall Square

Falmouth, MA 02540

Shellfish Permit Requirements

1. Photo copy of driver’s license (front only)
2. Phone number 
3. Falmouth residential address (if not on license)
4. Check made out to: Town of Falmouth
   1. Resident/Taxpayer $30.00
   2. Senior- 65 or older at the time of issuance $6.00
   3. Non-resident $100.00 money order ONLY
5. If you need a new holder, add $1.00 to check

Go to: www.falmouthma.gov for open and closed areas and regulations

General regulations are posted at Town Hall, Falmouth Main Public Library, East Falmouth Library, North Falmouth Library, and West Falmouth Library and online. Open shellfishing area lists are posted at Town Hall, Megansett Harbor Parking Lot, West Falmouth Harbor Boat Ramp, and Seapit Landing in Waquoit Bay. Shellfishing regulations, restrictions, and open shellfishing area lists including maps are available online.

Some areas are open and closed seasonally, while others are closed year-round, and few others are open year-round. The reasons for closures varies, but largely depends on the state-assigned classification. The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) classifies areas for shellfish harvest. 

Growing area classifications are assigned based on the results of sanitary surveys. 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 for 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 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.

Many areas in Falmouth are classified as CONDITIONALLY APPROVED, and these areas are typically closed during the warmer late spring to early fall months when these areas experience poor water quality, and open in the late fall to winter months.

Other reasons areas close seasonally include resource management closures, in which the Town closes an area that is otherwise open for natural resource enhancement. 

Temporary emergency closures including rainfall closures are enacted by MA DMF. In these situations, the Town will update the open shellfishing areas to reflect this status.

Typically shellfish seeding occurs in the fall, when shellfish growth has slowed. Seeding areas vary year to year, based on natural resource needs. 

Common seeding areas for oysters: West Falmouth Harbor Family Area

Common seeding areas for quahogs (hard clams): West Falmouth Harbor, Bournes Pond, Green Pond, Great Pond, Waquoit Bay, and Eel River

Common seeding areas for bay scallops: West Falmouth Harbor and Waquoit Bay

There is a fixed cap of 50 commercial shellfish permits issued to diggers. 

When the cap has been reached, permits for the subsequent year will only be issued to current Falmouth commercial shellfish permit holders (renewed permits). 

When the number of issued commercial shellfish permits falls below 50, the following method will be used to offer vacant permits (new permits) to the public:

•    Student digger lottery held first (16-17 years old) 

•    General digger lottery held if 50 diggers is not reached in the student lottery 

A scaled lottery system provides increased probability for selection with consecutive years of application to the lottery during years with vacancies. 

At such time vacant permits become available and a lottery will be held, lottery applications and drawings will be publicly advertised on the Town website and in the Falmouth Enterprise. 

Oysters can make for a delicious meal, but they can also carry harmful bacteria. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp.) is a bacteria found in oysters that increases health risks. This bacteria can cause stomach pain or even be lethal. It is most common during warm summer months, when the bacteria can multiply.  This high-risk timeframe in Massachusetts is from May to October. 

The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) works with Public Health to develop a Vp. Control Plan. The Vibrio Control Plan tracks the conditions of oyster harvests in Massachusetts. It also limits the post-harvest growth of Vp. in oysters. MA DMF regulates private oyster aquaculture growers, while Public Health regulates the dealers that buy from private oyster growers.

While the Vibrio Control Plan limits the post-commercial harvest growth of Vp. in oysters sold on the wholesale market, it is very difficult to impose similar restrictions to the recreational harvest of oysters. For this reason, the Town of Falmouth does not have an oyster fishery during the high-risk Vp. timeframe. The recreational oyster season in Falmouth varies year to year based on sufficient water quality parameters, with the opening of the season expected in mid-October to early November and ending in mid-March. 

Per the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, no permit is required for the taking of blue crabs unless using SCUBA. There is a limit of 25 crabs/day. The minimum harvest size is 5 in shell width (spine to spine). Egg bearers cannot be taken. It is unlawful to fish for blue crabs by trap to retain blue crabs taken in a trap. Only actively tended gear may be fished for blue crabs.