Online zoning portal streamlines permitting process in Sandwich 

Through the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development’s District Local Technical Assistance Program, the Cape Cod Commission assisted the Town of Sandwich in launching and implementing the online OpenCounter zoning portal. This self-guided zoning portal provides online information to individuals in determining use status and permitting needs. It is designed to increase staff time efficiency and to help anticipate opportunities for economic development. The program has also been piloted in the towns of Barnstable, Yarmouth, and Mashpee. 

This portal provides local officials and the public a unique tool to communicate both existing conditions and opportunities for change consistent with community vision and the Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan. The implementation of this tool will give policymakers real-time interactive land use information for long range planning, and improve the quality of information available to the public.  

The online zoning portal launched in summer 2020. In its first six months, Sandwich officials estimate that the tool resulted in over $2,000 in savings, as residents used the portal to answer questions and look up zoning locations online.  

Explore the tool: https://www.sandwich.opencounter.com