Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts / c. 40A

This is a reading copy of The Zoning Act, published here because the codes on this site are adopted under it and cite it throughout. The text published by the Massachusetts Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-01, is at malegislature.gov and governs.

c. 40AZoning

§ 1Title of chapter
§ 1ADefinitions
§ 2Repealed, 1987, 685, Sec. 2
§ 3Subjects which zoning may not regulate; exemptions; public hearings; temporary manufactured home residences
§ 3AMulti-family zoning as-of-right in MBTA communities
§ 3BRequest for expansion of outdoor table service
§ 4Uniform districts
§ 5Adoption or change of zoning ordinances or by-laws; procedure
§ 6Existing structures, uses, or permits; certain subdivision plans; application of chapter
§ 7Enforcement of zoning regulations; violations; penalties; legally nonconforming structures; notice of action; jurisdiction of superior court
§ 8Appeals to permit granting authority
§ 9Special permits
§ 9ASpecial permits for adult bookstores, adult motion pictures theaters, adult paraphernalia stores, adult video stores or establishments which display live nudity
§ 9BSolar access
§ 9CChild care facilities; allowable floor area; charges of owner; family incomes
§ 10Variances
§ 11Notice requirements for public hearings; parties in interest defined; review of special permit petitions; recording copies of special permit and variance decisions
§ 12Boards of appeal; membership; rules
§ 13Zoning administrators; appointment; powers and duties
§ 14Boards of appeal; powers
§ 15Appeals to permit granting authority; notice; time; boards of appeal hearings; procedure
§ 16Final unfavorable decisions by permit granting authorities; reconsideration; withdrawal of petitions for variance or applications for special permit
§ 17Judicial review
§ 18Repealed, 2024, 248, Sec. 10

Massachusetts General Laws c. 40A§ 1. Title of chapter

This chapter shall be known and may by cited as “The Zoning Act”.

The whole chapter · § 1A →