Shellfish Permits



Resident Recreational Permits


Persons with proof of residency in the Town of Ipswich may be granted a permit.

Fee: $30 per calendar year  plus $10.00 enhancement fee  
         70+ years old - $10.00 enhancement fee only

Resident Recreational Family Permits


A head of household whose principal year round domicile is within the Town of Ipswich may be granted a resident family permit. This permit entitles the head of household, his or her spouse living within the same domicile, his or her children 14 years of age or younger, and any other person living within the same domicile whose legal guardian is the said head of household to be included on the permit.

Fee: $40 per calendar year plus $10.00 enhancement fee

Non-Resident Recreational Permits


Persons with proof of residence in Massachusetts but who are not residents of Ipswich may be granted a permit.

Fee: $150 per calendar year plus $10.00 enhancement fee

Non-Resident Massachusetts Veterans


The permit fee for a Massachusetts Veteran (as defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetdefin.htm)) who is not a resident of Ipswich is $30.00 per calendar year plus $10.00 payable to the Shellfish Enhancement Fund.

The fee for a Massachusetts Veteran (as defined by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisvet/vetdefin.htm)) who is seventy (70) years of age or older and not a resident of Ipswich is $10.00 per calendar year payable to the Shellfish Enhancement Fund.

***To be eligible for the Veteran's fee, proof of Veteran status (copy of DD-214) and Massachusetts residency must be presented with application. 

One Day Recreational Permits


***At this time we are unable to issue One Day Recreational Permits to Non-Residents.  We apologize for any inconvenience.


Out of state residents may be issued a 1 day permit under the following conditions:
  • They name in the application the name and permit number of an Ipswich licensed permit holder that will accompany them.
  • They are accompanied by the sponsoring permit holder on the day specified on the permit.

Fee: $20 per day

Commercial Shellfish Permits***


Application Periods: To obtain a permit, completed applications must be submitted to the Town Clerk during application periods indicated.

  • New:  Dec 1st - Dec 30th
  • Renewal: Dec 1st - March 1st
  • Student: Dec 1st - Dec 30th

    Commercial permits may be applied for at the Town Clerk's Office. Please see the Town of Ipswich Shellfish Regulations for additional information regarding commercial licenses.

    Fee: Under 70 years old - $400 fee plus $50 enhancement fee     
             70+ years old - $50.00 enhancement fee only    
             Student - $200 fee plus $50 enhancement fee
        

    Related Documents

    1. Clam Map of all Flats (JPG)
    2. Shellfish Regulations - Sept 2021
    3. Commercial Shellfish License Application