Massachusetts General Laws
Updated June 2022
By: State of Massachusetts
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws
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Planning and Zoning Enabling Laws
Massachusetts requires some cities and towns to prepare comprehensive plans. And it authorizes some cities and towns to adopt zoning regulations.
| Jurisdiction | Comprehensive Planning Enabling Statutes | Zoning Enabling Statutes |
|---|---|---|
| State | NA | NA |
| County | NA | NA |
| Parish | NA | NA |
| Borough | NA | NA |
| City | §41-81D | §40A-5 |
| Town | §41-81D | §40A-5 |
| Village | NA | NA |
| Township | NA | NA |
Transfer of Development Rights
Massachusetts’ zoning enabling statute authorizes municipalities to establish transfer of development rights (TDR) between zoning districts by special permit (MGL c.40A-§9). It stipulates that municipalities that include TDR in their zoning codes must provide incentives to encourage transfers.