CRMC 101: Permits for Barrington Waterfront Projects

Thinking about adding a dock, rebuilding a seawall, or expanding your deck on the water in Barrington? You are smart to ask about permits early. Along Rhode Island’s coast, many shoreline projects need review by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC). In this guide, you will learn when CRMC gets involved, what the permit paths look like, and how to prepare a clean application that avoids delays. Let’s dive in.

When CRMC review applies

CRMC manages uses of Rhode Island’s tidal waters, submerged lands, and coastal features. If your project touches tidal waters or alters a coastal feature, you will likely need CRMC authorization. In Barrington, that often includes anything waterward of the mean high water line, work on or near marshes, or changes that affect tidal flow or public trust areas.

CRMC review commonly applies to:

• New or modified docks, piers, ramps, floats, or boat lifts that extend into tidal waters.
• Dredging, filling, or excavation in tidal waters or submerged lands.
• Shoreline stabilization, including seawalls, bulkheads, stone revetments, and certain living shoreline projects.
• Work that alters coastal wetlands, salt marshes, or tidal channels.

Projects fully landward of the coastal feature line may still trigger review if they affect coastal processes. For example, adding fill or grading that redirects runoff into a tidal marsh can bring your plans under CRMC jurisdiction.

Common project types and paths

Docks, piers, and floats

Any new private dock or extension into tidal waters in Barrington typically needs a CRMC assent. CRMC looks at size, navigation impacts, effects on eelgrass and shellfish, public access, and proximity to channels or public rights-of-way. Small, standardized residential docks may qualify for a streamlined programmatic or general assent. Larger or non-standard docks often require an individual assent and public notice, and sometimes a hearing.

Coordinate early with Barrington’s harbormaster about mooring fields and local harbor rules. You may also need a town building permit for the landward connection.

Decks and small structures

Decks located landward of the coastal feature line and outside tidal wetlands are often handled at the town level. If a deck extends onto a coastal feature, crosses seaward of mean high water, or needs pilings or fill within tidal areas, CRMC review is likely. Converting an elevated deck into a dock or adding supports in tidal areas will trigger state review.

Shoreline stabilization

Most hard-armoring, such as seawalls, bulkheads, and stone revetments, requires CRMC assent. Many “soft” approaches, like beach nourishment or marsh restoration, also need review when they affect coastal features or tidal areas. CRMC evaluates impacts to habitat, adjacent shorelines, public access, and coastal processes. Where feasible, CRMC favors living shorelines over hard structures.

Expect an individual assent, engineering design, and possible coordination with other agencies for many stabilization projects. Timelines tend to be longer, and you may see monitoring or mitigation requirements.

Home additions near the shore

Additions located landward of the coastal feature line and away from tidal wetlands are primarily a Town of Barrington building and zoning matter. If an addition is close to mean high water, changes shoreline grading, or could affect coastal hydraulics or wetlands, CRMC review may apply. For larger projects, CRMC may request flood and erosion hazard assessments and show how the design will avoid interfering with natural coastal processes.

Permit types, documents, and timing

CRMC uses several pathways depending on impact and complexity:

• Programmatic or general assents: Streamlined approvals for common, low-impact residential projects, such as standardized small docks or minor repairs.
• Individual assents: Used for larger, non-standard, or potentially impactful projects that need deeper review and public notice, and sometimes a hearing.
• Emergency assents: Limited, expedited approvals for urgent repairs after storms or hazardous conditions.

Typical documents include:

• Project narrative describing purpose, construction methods, staging, and access.
• Scaled site plan showing property lines, mean high and low water, coastal feature lines, and all existing and proposed structures.
• Surveys and stamped engineering drawings when work is seaward of mean high water or alters coastal features.
• Structural details and material specs for docks, seawalls, and ramps.
• Site photos and aerials.
• Tidal datum data and shoreline mapping sources.
• Erosion and sediment control measures and turbidity management methods.
• Abutter list and addresses for notice.
• Environmental assessments or habitat surveys, if needed.
• Evidence of coordination with other agencies when applicable.

What to expect for timing:

• Programmatic or general assents: Often the fastest path, with a completeness check followed by a decision in weeks to a couple of months.
• Individual assents: Often several months due to completeness reviews, environmental analysis, public notice, potential hearings, and coordination with other agencies.
• Emergency assents: Expedited, short-term, and documentation heavy.

A complete application is the best way to keep the schedule on track. Pre-application conversations with CRMC help you pick the right path and reduce revisions.

Use coastal-hazard maps early

Mapping your site up front saves time and design costs. Rhode Island tools can show coastal features, mean high water, wetlands, eelgrass, flood zones, and areas at risk from sea-level rise and storm surge. That context helps you select locations, size structures, and choose materials that reduce impacts and avoid surprises later.

Practical steps:

• Pull the CRMC coastal feature and shoreline maps for your parcel and note if your work is landward or seaward of these lines.
• Review sea-level rise and storm surge viewers to understand future inundation risk and design for resilience.
• Check for eelgrass, marsh, and shellfish layers, which can influence siting and design choices.
• Add annotated map outputs to your early design pack for discussions with CRMC and your engineer.
• Request a pre-application meeting or written determination if mapping is unclear.

Finding eelgrass or navigation conflicts early might lead you to shift a dock location or consider a living shoreline instead of a hard seawall.

How CRMC and Barrington permits align

Waterfront work in Barrington can involve multiple layers: state, local, and sometimes federal. For docks or work below mean high water, CRMC review is standard, and certain activities may also need a U.S. Army Corps permit. At the town level, you may need building permits, zoning approvals, and harbormaster sign-off.

Coordinate in this order:

1. Ask CRMC for a jurisdictional pre-check and guidance on the likely assent path, especially if your site sits near coastal feature lines.
2. Meet with Barrington’s Building and Planning staff to confirm building and zoning needs, including any relief for setbacks.
3. Check with the harbormaster on dock placement, moorings, and local harbor rules.
4. Confirm whether the town prefers local approvals before state assent or if reviews can run in parallel.
5. If work is seaward of mean high water or involves dredging, plan for potential Army Corps coordination.

A typical new dock could need CRMC assent, a town building permit, harbormaster authorization, and an Army Corps permit if dredging or significant in-water work is included.

Pitfalls to avoid and tips

Common pitfalls:

• Assuming a small project is exempt. Even limited fill, pilings, or minor changes can trigger review.
• Starting work without an assent. Penalties, stop work orders, and restoration plans can get costly.
• Skipping habitat checks. Building in eelgrass or shellfish areas can block approvals.
• Ignoring neighbor and cumulative impacts. Hard shorelines can move erosion to adjacent properties.

Smart tips:

• Contact CRMC early for a jurisdictional determination and pre-application guidance.
• Hire a Rhode Island licensed surveyor or coastal engineer with CRMC experience to prepare clear, complete plans.
• Coordinate with Barrington Building and the harbormaster at the same time you work with CRMC.
• Use hazard viewers to design for future conditions and consider living shorelines where feasible.
• Budget time for public notice and agency coordination on larger projects.

Your next move

If you plan to buy or sell a Barrington waterfront home, understanding CRMC pathways can shape timelines, scope, and value. A little planning up front helps you avoid delays and keep your project on budget. If you want neighborhood-level insight and a realistic path to closing, reach out. Let’s connect and talk through your goals.

FAQs

Do Barrington docks always need CRMC approval?

• In most cases, yes. Any structure that extends into tidal waters or attaches to submerged lands typically requires a CRMC assent.

What makes a project eligible for a streamlined CRMC assent?

• Small, low-impact residential projects with standardized designs, such as certain private docks or minor repairs, may qualify for programmatic or general assents.

How long do CRMC permits take in Rhode Island?

• Streamlined projects can take weeks to a couple of months, while individual assents often take several months due to completeness reviews, notice, and coordination.

When do I contact the Barrington harbormaster?

• Reach out early for docks, floats, or moorings. Local harbor rules and mooring layouts can affect dock placement and CRMC review.

Do I need federal permits for my waterfront project?

• You may, especially for dredging or significant work below mean high water. The U.S. Army Corps often coordinates with CRMC on these activities.