Temporary Deployable Flood Barrier Guidance and Procedures

1. Engage an architect or engineer to develop plans for your proposed barrier(s). Include existing property lines, building edges, and sidewalk composition.
2. Retrofitting your building with a deployable flood barrier may require an Alteration (ALT) Permit from the Inspectional Services Department if your barrier alters existing infrastructure or egress paths or is placed on the public right of way. This ensures that the flood barrier complies with building safety standards. If you have questions about permitting requirements for flood barriers, email ISDPermits@boston.gov. 
3. If you are proposing flood barriers in a new, non-residential building to comply with flood safety standards of the building code, review is required by ISD before issuing an Erect (ERT) Permit for the building. Additional information may be found on ISD's flood review page. 
4. New buildings protected by flood barriers are considered "dry-floodproof"; proponents must provide a dry floodproofing certificate and associated documentation (see Page 6 of the certificate). 
5. If your proposed flood barrier is not completely contained within your privately-owned land parcel and could impact the right of way, you may need to apply for a Specific Repairs license from the City’s Public Improvement Commission. Please contact the Public Improvement Commission at pic@boston.gov for additional information or to notify the Commission of your interest in applying for a license.
6. With PIC’s approval, submit your request for a Public Hearing on your proposed project.
7. Before installing the permanent fixtures for any of these flood barrier systems, please contact the Boston Conservation Commission at cc@boston.gov to learn about additional permitting steps you may need to complete.

When the weather forecast has the potential for hazardous flooding, OEM will issue a notification to registered flood barrier contacts. OEM monitors weather conditions using a variety of sources, including the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as State and local sources.

Upon deciding to deploy the flood barrier, notify the Boston Police Department (BPD) Operations at 617-343-4680 (at least 24 hours prior to the barrier being in place). Request to speak to the Duty Supervisor and specify which entrances/exits will be blocked and any expected impacts related to building access. BPD will notify relevant public safety agencies and City departments of deployment status.

Once the flood barrier has been removed, the point of contact must notify BPD Operations at 617-343-4680 to confirm the demobilization and restoration of normal building access.