Adopted: Roslindale Square small area plan and accompanying zoning amendments
The Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan was adopted by the BPDA Board on February 13, 2025. Its accompanying zoning map and text amendments were approved by the BPDA Board on April 10, 2025, adopted by the Boston Zoning Commission on May 21, 2025, and became effective on June 2, 2025.
About Roslindale Square
Roslindale Square is a commercial area approximately 6 miles south of Downtown Boston in the heart of the Roslindale neighborhood. It retains many historic buildings and has a diverse mix of local restaurants, shops, and civic spaces, such as the Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library and The Substation. Adams Park, a .7-acre public park in the center of Roslindale Square, is an important anchor of community events, including the annual Roslindale Farmers Market.
This area is serviced by the Roslindale Village station on the Needham line of the MBTA Commuter Rail, as well as several MBTA bus routes.
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan
The Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Small Area Plan is the first plan to be completed as part of the Squares + Streets planning initiative. The planning process took place from February 2024 through February 2025. To learn more about Squares + Streets, please see the project homepage.
The Roslindale Square Small Area Plan (Roslindale Square Plan para Áreas Pequeñas) was adopted by the BPDA Board on February 13, 2025. The plan sets a framework for place-based housing and small business policies to support a thriving neighborhood center, opportunities to incorporate more public art and cultural activities, and strategies to expand the public realm and improve transportation safety. It also guides future development in the central business area and major connecting streets through a Land Use and Design Framework.
To see a detailed summary of the planning process, visit the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Engagement Storymap page. Additional materials from the planning process can be found below under “Planning Process Resources”.
Roslindale Square Zoning Map and Text Amendments
Updated zoning regulations in the Roslindale Square area were adopted by the Boston Zoning Commission on May 21, 2025. The zoning updates process took place from February 2025 through May 2025.
These zoning updates implement recommendations in the Roslindale Square Small Area Plan, specifically from the Land Use and Design Framework. They consist of 1) two zoning map amendments to map Squares + Streets districts throughout the area and 2) a zoning text amendment to make sure the written regulations for Article 67 (Roslindale Neighborhood District) in the Boston Zoning Code align with the zoning map updates.
These zoning updates (below) map new Squares + Streets zoning districts in and around Roslindale Square, which will set new rules for the physical dimensions (such as height and lot coverage) and land uses allowed in future development. These updates:
- Further allow multifamily housing near and above active ground floor businesses and community spaces,
- Require the creation of outdoor amenities in zoning districts that allow for larger development projects (like decks, outdoor seating, and courtyards), and
- Set yard standards that promote climate resilience in the space surrounding buildings.
Overall, the new zoning aligns with the City of Boston’s efforts to set zoning rules that will legalize many of the properties that already exist today and that increase opportunities for future housing and business growth near the major transit resources of Roslindale Square.
Visit the Boston Zoning Viewer to see an interactive version of the zoning map and look up the zoning districts within Roslindale Square and for specific properties. A color-coded guide to the adopted zoning updates and all additional engagement and explainer materials from the process can be found below under “Zoning Updates Process Resources”.
Planning Process Resources
Zoning Updates Process Resources
Adopted Zoning Updates and Supporting Materials
These materials are specific to the final, adopted zoning amendments that were approved by the BPDA Board on April 10, 2025, adopted by the Boston Zoning Commission on May 21, 2025, and became effective on June 2, 2025.
Revised Draft Zoning Updates and Supporting Materials
These materials are specific to the revised zoning amendments that were released on March 18, 2025.
Draft Zoning Updates and Supporting Materials
These materials are specific to the draft zoning amendments that were released on February 14, 2025.
Previous Events
Click on the event date to view details and materials.
Roslindale Square: Squares + Streets Zoning Updates Closeout Public Meeting | Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Roslindale Square: Squares + Streets Draft Zoning Updates Check-In Public Meeting | Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Roslindale Square: Squares + Streets Draft Zoning Updates Public Meeting | Thursday, February 27, 2025
Roslindale Square: Squares + Streets Draft Zoning Updates for Tenants and Owners | Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Roslindale Square: Squares + Streets - Reunión en español | Fecha y hora: Martes, 21 de enero 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Plan Closeout Meeting | Thursday, February 6
Public meeting regarding the draft Roslindale Squares + Streets Small Area Plan | Wednesday, January 8
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets: Zoning Deep Dive | September 10, 2024
Roslindale Squares + Streets Tabling | September 7, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets: Post-Ideas Reception Pop-up | July 18, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets - Ideas Reception Public Meeting | July 17, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets - Visioning Questions Pop-Ups | June 1, 2024 | May 21, 2024 | May 21, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Visioning Workshops | May 7, 2024 | April 29, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets - Zoning Workshop | April 24, 2024
Roslindale Square Cultural Assets, Transportation, and Public Realm 'Walkshop' | April 7, 2024
Roslindale S+S Engagement Report Out Meeting | April 3, 2024
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Spanish Meeting | March 27, 2024
Roslindale Square Housing and Small Business Visioning Workshop | March 13, 2024
Roslindale Square Open House | February 24, 2024
Coffee Hours / Office hours
-
March 27, 2025
-
March 25, 2025
-
March 20, 2025
-
March 13, 2025
-
March 11, 2025
-
March 6, 2025
-
March 4, 2025
-
Feb 27, 2025
-
Feb 20, 2025
-
Feb 18, 2025
-
May 29, 2024
-
May 15, 2024
-
May 8, 2024
-
May 1, 2024
-
March 13, 2024
-
March 6, 2024