Zoning

"What can you build – and where?” These are the questions that zoning regulations answer. The Boston Zoning Code tells real estate developers what land uses, building types and sizes, heights and densities are appropriate on land throughout the city.

The zoning regulations also imply a planning agenda. In 1989 the BRA began a community-based process of rezoning the City neighborhoods, updating the Code that had been originally drafted in the 1950’s and adopted in 1965. For example, growth is managed by allowing higher densities closer to transportation nodes, where the infrastructure can accommodate expanded economic development and new housing. Lower heights and densities are applied to historic districts and established residential areas to protect these neighborhoods and discourage change. Open space areas prohibit development, and design guidelines are incorporated into the zoning.

Working with community-based planning and zoning advisory groups, the Boston Redevelopment Authority continues to recommend to the Zoning Commission updates to the Zoning Code to manage growth, and preserve and enhance the unique character of each neighborhood.

This page will link you to a variety of useful zoning resources. For more information, call Jeff Hampton, Senior Zoning Planner, at: (617)918-4308 or e-mail him at:

The following describes the resources, initiatives, and functional areas of the Zoning Department:

A. Boston Zoning Code Zoning Code documents Zoning maps Help with the Zoning Code	B. Article 80 of the Zoning Code What is Article 80? Download Article 80
C. General zoning information Glossary of Most Used Zoning Terms When Does Zoning Affect You? Notification Process	D. Roles of City agencies Boston Redevelopment Authority Boston Zoning Commission Inspectional Services Department Zoning Board of Appeal

To download Zoning Maps only, click here.

The Boston Zoning Code is now available for download here.

Article 80 of the Zoning Code is currently available for download.

Zoning maps for the City of Boston may be obtained at the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Planning and Zoning Department during regular business hours.

Boston Redevelopment Authority staff members are available during regular business hours to assist you with questions about the zoning process, the Zoning Code, and zoning maps. Appointments are not necessary. For more information, contact Jeffrey Hampton. at (617)918-4308.

The Boston Zoning Code requires that the Boston Redevelopment Authority review, through a public process, the design of real estate developments and their effect of the surrounding community and the City as a whole, and requires appropriate conditions for approval of such projects. The procedures and standards for this review appear in Article 80.

“Article 80 development review” actually refers to four separate types of review:

There are opportunities for public comment throughout these review processes. If you have questions about how to participate in the review process for a particular project, please contact the BRA’s Economic Development Department at 617-722-4300.

Download Article 80

Accessory – A land use that is related to and on the same lot as the principal land use.

Allowed use – A land use that is permitted as a matter of right. Board of Appeal approval is not required.

Appeal – A request made to the Board of Appeal for relief from zoning code regulations.

As of right use – Those uses that are automatically allowed by the zoning code. They are allowed “as a matter of right.”

Conditional use – A land use permitted by the Zoning Code provided that it is found by the Board of Appeal to comply with certain conditions set out in the Code.

Forbidden use – A use that is not permitted in a particular district because of harmful impacts on other allowed uses; e.g., noise, pollution.

Interim Planning Overlay Districts (IPODs) – Temporary zoning regulations for an area where the Zoning Commission has determined that current zoning may be inappropriate or inadequate.

Lot, lot area – The area of a parcel of land in single ownership and not divided by a street.

Nonconforming use – A use or activity which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the Zoning Code, but which does not , because of such adoption or amendment, conform to the present requirements of the Zoning Code.

Variance – Permission to deviate from a specific requirement of the Zoning Code.

If there is a change in the use of land or a building such as:

If someone in your neighborhood applies for a building permit, is refused on the basis of Zoning Code violations, and appeals the refusal:

It is important to check in the newspaper and with your neighborhood organization, or the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority to see if zoning variances or other changes are being proposed for your area. The Boston Herald prints a notice of any public hearing at least 20 days prior to the hearing. All citizens have the right to attend these hearings and express their opinions on proposed changes.

Notification occurs when an appeal for zoning relief has been submitted and the date for the public hearing has been set. By law, a notification of the public hearing is sent by the Board of Appeal to:

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is the City of Boston’s Planning and Economic Development Agency. The BRA is charged with serving as planning staff to both the Zoning Commission and the Board of Appeal. BRA staff members review all applications for variances, conditional use permits and zoning changes and make recommendations to the Zoning Commission and Board of Appeal.

In addition, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is charged by Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code to review the design of real estate developments and their effect of the surrounding community and the City as a whole.

For more information, contact Jeff Hampton, Senior Zoning Planner, at (617)918-4308 or e-mail him at:

The Boston Zoning Commission is charged with maintaining the Boston Zoning Code. In order to fulfill that responsibility, the Commission meets on a regular basis to adopt map and text changes to the Code.

Anyone may petition the Zoning Commission to adopt a map or text change. Typically the Boston Redevelopment Authority, after a public dialogue, petitions the Zoning Commission to adopt such changes. After a petition is authorized by the BRA Board, a public notice of a hearing before the Zoning Commission is advertised in the Boston Herald and local newspapers at least 20 days in prior to the hearing.

For more information, contact Jeff Hampton, Senior Zoning Planner, at (617)918-4308.

Mr. Nelson Arroyo
Ms. Jane Brayton
Mr. James C. Clark
Mr. Ralph Cooper
Ms. Denise Doyle
Mr. Robert Fondren
Ms. Jill Hatton
Mr. Jay Hurley
Mr. Robert L. Marr
Mr. William Tarlow
Ms. Pat Tierney

For more information, contact Jeffrey Hampton, Secretary to the Zoning Commission, at (617)918-4308.

The Inspectional Services Department grants building permits and change in use or occupancy permits. In that role, they are charged with denying applications that do not conform to the Zoning Code unless the application includez a favorable decision from the Board of Appeal.

For more information, contact the Plans and Zoning Division at 617-635-5300, extension 1300.

For more information, contact Jeff Hampton, Senior Zoning Planner, at (617)918-4308.

The Zoning Board of Appeal hears appeals for varying the application of the Zoning Code and determines when it is appropriate to grant deviations from Code restrictions. For more information about the Board of Appeal or for the schedule of upcoming hearings, please contact the Board at (617)635-4775. Additional information may be found at the Board’s web site: www.cityofboston.gov/isd/building/boa/zprocess.asp or by calling the Board at (617)635-4775.

For more information, contact the Plans and Zoning Division at (617)635-5300 X1300.

For more information, contact Jeff Hampton, Senior Zoning Planner, at (617)918-4308.