Any building, structure, or use lawfully in existence or lawfully
begun or as to which a building or special permit has been issued
before the first publication of notice of public hearing on any provision
of this Zoning Bylaw, or any amendment thereto, required by MGL c.
40A, § 5, may be continued or completed although such building,
structure, or use does not conform to the terms of said provision
or amendment, subject, however, to the following:
Construction or operations under a building or special permit
shall conform to any subsequent provision of this Zoning Bylaw, or
any amendment thereto, unless the use or construction is commenced
within a period of not more than six months after the issuance of
the building or special permit and, in cases involving construction,
unless such construction is continued through to completion as continuously
and expeditiously as is reasonable.
Preexisting nonconforming buildings, structures, or uses may be changed, extended or altered by a special permit issued by the ZBA pursuant to the provisions of § 198-201 and § 198-203 of this Zoning Bylaw, provided that no such change, extension or alteration shall be permitted unless there is also a finding by the ZBA that such change, extension or alteration shall not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming building, structure or use to the neighborhood; provided, however, that the Planning Board shall serve as the special permit granting authority for changes, extensions and/or alterations to nonconforming buildings, structures, and uses (a) in the Senior and Family Housing Overlay District pursuant to Article 21 of this Zoning Bylaw, and (b) in connection with a site plan approval application to provide outdoor table service at a restaurant pursuant to § 198-1102.1.1.1 of this Zoning Bylaw; and further provided, however, that a single- or two-family dwelling may be changed, extended, or altered so long as the change, extension or alteration does not increase the nonconforming nature of the dwelling. The Building Commissioner shall determine if a change, extension or alteration to a single- or two-family dwelling increases the nonconforming nature of the structure.
[Amended 4-28-1997 STM by Art. 5; 5-14-1998 ATM by Art. 45; 5-15-2022ATM by Art. 13]
Notwithstanding the provisions
of § 198-401.1.2, a pre-existing nonconforming use of land
that consists of more than six dwelling units for rent on a single
lot may not be changed, extended or altered in such a manner that
results in either (i) more dwelling units or a greater dwelling unit
density on the parcel of land; (ii) an enlargement of any of the dwelling
units as measured by its gross floor area or its number of bedrooms
or rooms; (iii) the expansion of the use onto adjacent land; or (iv)
the subdivision of the lot into more than one lot.
A building for one or two dwelling units may be the subject
of alteration, reconstruction, extension or structural change without
the necessity of a special permit, provided that the following conditions
are met:
Such alteration, reconstruction, extension
or structural change shall not exceed 20% of the gross floor area
of the building in existence on the date this paragraph first become
effective, which is May 4, 1994, and such alteration, reconstruction,
extension or structural change does not increase the nonconforming
nature of the building. Open decks, accessory buildings less than
175 square feet in gross floor area, and accessory structures, such
as fences, retaining walls, swimming pools, and tennis courts shall
be permitted as a matter of right and shall not be included in any
gross floor area calculation.
[Amended 5-5-1999 STM by Art. 11; 5-3-2000 ATM Art. 30]
Wherever a lawful nonconforming building, structure, or use
has been abandoned, or has not been used for two consecutive years
or more, it shall not be resumed or reestablished, and all future
buildings, structures, and uses shall conform to this Zoning Bylaw.
If a nonconforming building or structure is damaged or destroyed
by natural causes or otherwise, then any rebuilding or restoration
may take place as of right as long as the rebuilding or restoration
conforms precisely in size, location, configuration and extent of
use to that which existed prior to the damage or destruction. All
rebuilding or restoration shall be commenced within two years of the
date of the damage or destruction and shall be continued through to
completion as continuously and expeditiously as reasonable. Prior
to the expiration of the two years, if the owner applies to the ZBA
for an extension of this time period, and if the ZBA finds that there
is good cause for the failure to commence rebuilding or restoration,
the ZBA may extend the time period for no longer than an additional
six months
The ZBA may issue a special permit for any changes in size,
location, configuration and extent of use in a nonconforming building
or structure damaged or destroyed by natural or other involuntary
causes, provided that the ZBA shall find that such changes shall not
be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing
nonconforming use.
[Amended 5-14-1998 ATM by Art. 45; 5-5-2004 ATM by Art. 20]
Any permitted restoration or rebuilding under § 198-401.1.6
shall commence within six months after the issuance of the special
permit therefor and shall continue through to completion as continuously
and expeditiously as is reasonable or such permission shall lapse.
Prior to the expiration of the six months, if the owner applies to
the ZBA for an extension of this time period and if the ZBA finds
that there is good cause for the failure to commence rebuilding or
restoration, the ZBA may extend the time period for no longer than
an additional six months. Unless otherwise authorized by the ZBA,
the new or restored building or structure shall have the same height
and location on the lot as the replaced structure.
Whenever land is taken by, or conveyed to, a governmental authority
having the power of eminent domain or a street is created, widened
or relocated, any then existing lot shown on a plan or described in
a deed recorded in the Registry of Deeds that conformed to the area
and frontage requirements before, but not thereafter, shall be considered
to conform, and any existing structure that was in compliance with
regulations respecting location before, but not thereafter, shall
be considered to be in compliance. This paragraph shall not be applicable
if the street was a private way and the land on which it was created,
widened or relocated was owned by the owner of the lot or structure
affected.
[Amended 4-28-1986 ATM by Art. 24; 5-4-1992 STM by Art. 4]
A building, structure, or use existing on January 1, 1947, shall
be conclusively presumed to have been in existence before the first
publication of notice of the public hearing on the original enactment
of this Zoning Bylaw.