Zoning audit
Town of Oxford
8 things worth a decision in
the Zoning By-Law: places where it does not agree with something else in it, with
the contents, with the zoning map or with the Town's own record of what it has amended, and places where it would be easier to administer written another
way. Each names the evidence, and says whose decision it is.
None of them are corrected in the published text. The
bylaw on this site reads exactly as Oxford prints it, and
changing any of this is an amendment rather than a correction.
Against the text current through September 22, 2026
Needs a drafting decision 1
The bylaw contradicts itself or is incomplete here. Only Oxford can settle these, and only by amendment — correcting them here would state as law something Oxford has never adopted.
7 cited section number(s) do not exist in the text (23 citations)
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] The bylaw cites sections by number that the converted text does not contain. Some are references to other bylaws or to a superseded numbering; some will be sections the PDF reader failed to recognise. Either way a reader who follows the citation finds nothing.
- § 5.0 cited 8 time(s); e.g. § III.3.0 3.9.5.1: “…ial Permit for an ADU shall be the same as prescribed in Chapter XIV, Section 5.0 of the Zoning By-Law.”
- § 3.0 cited 8 time(s); e.g. § XI.2.0: “…ture or use, unless the increase in units of measurement specified in Section 3.0 amounts to less than twenty-five (25) percent, whether such increases…”
- § 2.0 cited 3 time(s); e.g. § III.3.0 3.5: “…in accessory structures provided they comply with the requirements of Section 2.0 above.”
- § 60.3 cited 1 time(s); e.g. § VII.2.0: “…te, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in §60.3 is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation…”
For each number, decide whether it is a stale citation to amend or a section the conversion missed to re-read.
read from the Town's materials
Against the enabling statute 5
Where the ordinance appears to require, permit or prohibit something the state act it is adopted under does not allow it to. These are readings of two published texts side by side, not legal advice, and each names the provision on both sides so counsel can check it rather than take our word.
§ III.3.0An accessory dwelling provision appears to require a special permit
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] MGL c. 40A, § 3 forbids a bylaw to "require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit" in a single-family residential district. This provision mentions a special permit in the same breath as the accessory dwelling.
- § III.3.0: “…ts may be allowed in a retail, commercial, or professional building as accessory to a use in that building by Special Permit issued by the Planning Board, provided that the following standards and criteria are met:”
- MGL c. 40A, § 3: "shall not ... require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit"
Read the provision: a special permit for a second ADU, or for an ADU larger than the statute protects, is allowed; one for the first protected ADU is not.
read from the Town's materials
§ III.3.0 3.9.4An accessory dwelling provision appears to require a special permit
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] MGL c. 40A, § 3 forbids a bylaw to "require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit" in a single-family residential district. This provision mentions a special permit in the same breath as the accessory dwelling.
- § III.3.0 3.9.4: “Accessory Dwelling Unit – Retail, Commercial, or Professional Building – Special Permit”
- MGL c. 40A, § 3: "shall not ... require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit"
Read the provision: a special permit for a second ADU, or for an ADU larger than the statute protects, is allowed; one for the first protected ADU is not.
read from the Town's materials
§ III.3.0 3.9.4.1An accessory dwelling provision appears to require a special permit
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] MGL c. 40A, § 3 forbids a bylaw to "require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit" in a single-family residential district. This provision mentions a special permit in the same breath as the accessory dwelling.
- § III.3.0 3.9.4.1: “…nd any other business that uses materials listed as “high hazard” in 780 CMR 306). If the ADU is allowed, the special permit shall restrict the principal use of the building accordingly.”
- MGL c. 40A, § 3: "shall not ... require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit"
Read the provision: a special permit for a second ADU, or for an ADU larger than the statute protects, is allowed; one for the first protected ADU is not.
read from the Town's materials
§ III.3.0 3.9.5An accessory dwelling provision appears to require a special permit
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] MGL c. 40A, § 3 forbids a bylaw to "require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit" in a single-family residential district. This provision mentions a special permit in the same breath as the accessory dwelling.
- § III.3.0 3.9.5: “Application Procedure – Special Permit ADU:”
- MGL c. 40A, § 3: "shall not ... require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit"
Read the provision: a special permit for a second ADU, or for an ADU larger than the statute protects, is allowed; one for the first protected ADU is not.
read from the Town's materials
§ III.3.0 3.9.5.1An accessory dwelling provision appears to require a special permit
[Automated statute and consistency scan, medium confidence.] MGL c. 40A, § 3 forbids a bylaw to "require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit" in a single-family residential district. This provision mentions a special permit in the same breath as the accessory dwelling.
- § III.3.0 3.9.5.1: “The procedure for the submission and approval of a Special Permit for an ADU shall be the same as prescribed in Chapter XIV, Section 5.0 of the Zoning By-Law.”
- MGL c. 40A, § 3: "shall not ... require a special permit or other discretionary zoning approval for the use of land or structures for a single accessory dwelling unit"
Read the provision: a special permit for a second ADU, or for an ADU larger than the statute protects, is allowed; one for the first protected ADU is not.
read from the Town's materials