Boston’s Zoning Code

The Boston Zoning Code is the set of rules that dictate the allowed shape, density, and use of development in a given area. It protects Boston's distinct neighborhoods from the development of buildings or uses that do not harmonize with their surrounding context. Boston's Zoning Code incorporates a written code (describing setbacks, heights, allowed uses, densities, etc.) and maps which indicate which geographic areas are subject to which zoning guidelines.

Fifteen of Boston's twenty-six neighborhoods were once separate towns (or neighborhoods of separate towns). As the years passed, these neighborhoods were slowly annexed by the City of Boston. To this day, many of these neighborhoods remain unique in their look and feel compared to the rest of the City. The most recent edition of the Boston Zoning Code, enacted in 1964, has evolved and adapted to accommodate the unique character of these places.

The BPDA’s Role in Zoning

The Boston Planning & Development Agency's role is not to enforce or manage zoning code and requirements. Rather, the BPDA helps to shape the zoning code. After public planning processes and dialogue, the BPDA may petition the Boston Zoning Commission (BZC) to adopt changes that reflect the neighborhood planning goals. The BPDA also reviews development projects which are so large or unique that they cannot be reasonably approved using the existing zoning code. When this occurs, the BPDA uses tools such as Article 80 Project Review.

Finding More Information

The Zoning Viewer is an online tool where you can learn about the zoning for a particular site. Here you can see how a site is currently zoned, access the Zoning Code, and view the Assessor for information about ownership.

To view official zoning maps, look for maps in the Zoning Code or visit the Zoning Maps page, where the BPDA GIS department has compiled zoning code maps.

To look up common terms related to zoning, please see the BPDA's glossary.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Language Access

Interpreting services are available to communicate the information at these meetings at no additional cost to you. If you require translation services, please contact the following: [email protected]. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date.

Se encuentra disponible el servicio gratuito de interpretación de la información brindada en estas reuniones.Si necesita servicios de traducción, contáctese con: [email protected]. Por favor, solicite los servicios de interpretación a más tardar 5 días antes de la fecha de la reunión.

Sèvis entèpretasyon ki disponib pou kominike enfòmasyon yo nan reyinyon sa yo san okenn frè anplis pou ou. Si ou bezwen sèvis tradiksyon, pri tan kontak: [email protected]. Tanpri mande sèvis entèpretasyon an5 jou pou pita anvan dat reyinyon an.

Os serviços de interpretação estão disponíveis para comunicar a informação nestas reuniõessem custos adicionais para si. Se necessitar de serviços de tradução, favor entrar em contacto com: [email protected]. Por favor, solicite serviços de interpretação o mais tardar 5 dias antes da data da reunião.

الترجمة ، يرجى الاتصال بما يلي: [email protected]. من فضلكم، الرجاء طلب خدمات الترجمة في موعد لا يتجاوز 5 أيام

本会议的信息对您来说是至关重要的。可以提供翻译服务以传达本会议的内容，您无需承担任何额外费用。如果您需要翻译服务，请通过以下方式进行联系：[email protected]. 請在會議前5天内申請口譯服務。

Des services d'interprétation sont disponibles pour communiquer les informations lors de ces réunions sans frais supplémentaires pour vous. Si vous avez besoin de services de traduction, veuillez contacter: [email protected]. Veuillez demander les services d'interprétation au plus tard 5 jours avant la date de la réunion.

Услуги устного перевода для передачи информации на этих встречах предоставляются без дополнительной оплаты. Если вам требуется услуга переводчика, сообщите об этом, воспользовавшись следующими контактными данными: [email protected]. Запросите услугу устного перевода не позднее чем за 5 дней до даты, на которую запланирована встреча.

Các dịch vụ thông dịch có sẵn để truyền đạt thông tin tại các cuộc họp này mà bạn không phải trả thêm phí. Nếuquývịcầnsửdụngdịchvụthôngdịch, vuilòngliênhệ: [email protected]. Vui lòng yêu cầu dịch vụ thông dịch muộn nhất là 5 ngày trước ngày họp.

Sirvisus di interpretason sta disponível pa komunika informason na kes reunion sin nenhum kustu adisional. Si nha mesti di sirvisus di traduson, nha podi kontakta siginti: [email protected]. Pur favor solisita sirvisu di interpretason más tardar 5 dias antis di data di reunion.

Adeegyada turjumaadda hadalka ayaa la heli karaa si loogu gudbiyo macluumaadka shirarkan iyada oo aan lagaa qaadeyn kharash dheeraad ah. Haddii aad u baahan tahay adeegyada turjumaada qoraalka, fadlan la xiriir lambarkan: [email protected]. Fadlan codso adeegyada turjumaada hadalka wakhti aan ka dambeyn 5 maalmood kahor taariikhda kulanka.