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City of Beverly, MA
Essex County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
For the purposes of this chapter, words used in the present tense include the future; the singular number includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular. The word "lot" shall include "plot" or "parcel." The word "structure" shall include the word "building," where the context requires. The word "used" shall include the words "arranged," "designed," "rented," "leased," "intended to be used" and "occupied." The word "shall" is mandatory; and the word "may" is permissive.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
A dwelling unit located within an owner-occupied single-family dwelling with one or more rooms, including kitchen and bathroom facilities that are separate from those of the principal dwelling. The unit shall be constructed so as to maintain the appearance and essential character of a single-family dwelling. Only relatives, i.e., brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, in-laws, children and/or grandchildren, of the residing owners of the principal dwelling unit may occupy the unit.
[Amended 6-26-1987; 7-5-2012 by Ord. No. 72]
ACTIVATED GROUND FLOOR USE
[Added 7-31-2017 by Ord. No. 374A]
A. 
Uses that encourage and support pedestrian activity on the ground floor of buildings and meet the activated ground floor development standards in § 300-40I. They include:
(1) 
Nonresidential uses permitted by right in § 300-40B except not: (11) funeral home; (14) data processing center, etc.; (15) printing and publishing establishments; (16) taxi, rail, bus passenger terminal;
(2) 
Nonresidential uses permitted by special permit according to § 300-40C, only including: (1)(g) hotel or motel; (1)(h) place of commercial recreation; (1)(m) maker space; and (2)(a) bed-and-breakfast;
(3) 
Lobby and circulation space serving a multifamily dwelling, pursuant to § 300-40I; and
(4) 
Open space or area that is accessible to the general public (e.g., pocket park, plaza).
B. 
In the Core Pedestrian Area, this use does not include any other uses accessible only to residential tenants, or their management, of the same building, including single-unit residential entrances, trash/recycling areas, metering stations and utilities (except fire service stand pipes), delivery and service bays, and other typically back-of-house functions for residential. Drive-through uses are not permitted.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESTRICTION
A right, either in perpetuity or for a specified number of years, whether or not stated in the form of a restriction, easement, covenant or condition in any deed, mortgage, will, agreement, or other instrument executed by or on behalf of the owner of the land appropriate to:
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
A. 
Limiting the use of all or part of the land to occupancy by persons or families of low or moderate income in either rental housing or other housing;
B. 
Restricting the resale price of all or part of the property in order to assure its affordability by future low- and moderate-income purchasers; or
C. 
In any way limiting or restricting the use of enjoyment of all or any portion of the land for the purpose of encouraging or assuring creation or retention of rental and other housing for occupancy by low- and moderate-income persons and families.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT
A dwelling unit that is affordable to and occupied by a low- or moderate-income household and meets the requirements of the local initiative program (LIP) for inclusion on the Chapter 40B Subsidized Housing Inventory.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
AIRPORT APPROACH ZONE
An area of 500 feet in width at the end of an airport runway or landing strip and 2,500 feet in width at a distance of 10,200 feet. The center line of this zone shall coincide with the center line of the runway or landing strip extended.
AIRPORT HAZARD
Any structure, tree, or aerial emission which obstructs the aerial approaches of a publicly owned airport or impairs the reasonable visibility in the vicinity thereof, electrical impulses and disturbances which interfere with radio aids or communications, and lights which might result in glare in the vision of aircraft pilots or be confused with airport lights.
ANIMAL FEEDLOT
A plot of land on which 25 or more animals per acre are kept exclusively for the purpose of feeding. This definition shall not be construed as prohibiting farming lawfully being conducted under the provisions of this chapter and/or MGL c. 40A, § 3.
[Amended 3-5-1990; 2-16-2016 by Ord. No. 013]
AQUIFER
A geologic formation composed of rock or sand and gravel that contains significant amounts of potentially recoverable potable water.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI)
The median family income for the metropolitan area that includes the City of Beverly, as defined in the annual schedule of low- and moderate-income limits published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and adjusted for household size.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
ARTIST LIVE/WORK
The use of all, or a portion of, a building for an art use, or creative work, and habitation by artists whereas units include both working space and residential dwelling space. An artist live/work unit is distinguished from a home occupation, otherwise defined by this chapter, in that the work use is not required to be incidental to the dwelling unit; more than one nonresident employee may be present on the premises; and customers may be served on site. The work use may include the sale, display, commission, consignment, or trade by artists or artisans; or classes held for art instruction.
[Added 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 014]
ART USE
The production of art or creative work within the fields of fine and applied arts, including but not limited to painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, printmaking, mixed media, writing, publishing, poetry, photography, theater, film or video production, architecture, interior design, recording studio, culinary arts; and performing arts, including but not limited to musicians, music composition, acting, or dancing.
[Added 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 014]
AUTO BODY SHOP
A business establishment engaged in motor vehicle painting, body and collision repair, frame straightening or any combination of the above.
BASELINE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES
The total number of parking spaces required by zoning pursuant to § 300-59.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
BASEMENT
An area partly underground but having at least 1/2 of its clear ceiling height above the mean finished grade level at the foundation. A basement shall be considered as a story if used for dwelling or business purposes.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT
The renting of not more than five rooms as a lodging, without separate cooking facilities and for not more than eight persons for a term of residence of less than eight days. These establishments shall be residential in both character and appearance, and off-street parking areas shall be screened from abutting residential uses in a manner defined by the definition of "screening" in this section. The owner of a bed-and-breakfast establishment shall be required to reside either on the premises of the establishment or on an abutting parcel.
[Amended 3-19-1991, 6-18-1991, 5-13-1996]
BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board of Appeals of the City of Beverly.
BREWERY, DISTILLERY, WINERY
Establishment primarily engaged in the on-site manufacture, blending, fermentation, processing, and packaging of alcoholic beverages, for wholesale or retail distribution, as allowed by state law. While manufacturing is the primary use, the establishment may include accessory uses such as: tasting room for on-site consumption (or "taproom"), retail sales of the product produced on-site and related goods, and/or tours of the production facility; provided the following:
[Added 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 014]
A. 
A tasting room or retail component shall front the street at sidewalk level or have a well-marked and visible entrance at sidewalk level, and be open to the public.
B. 
All production, processing, distribution, and storage activities are to be conducted within an enclosed building. Production waste shall be disposed of off-site.
C. 
Adequate parking and loading is provided on site in accordance with the provisions of Article XVI of this chapter.
BUILDING
Any independent structure having a roof with structural supports for the shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, or property.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
A building subordinate to and located on the same lot with a main building, the use of which is clearly incidental to that of the main building, such as a detached garage or barn.
CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION or CCC
A commission created by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to have general supervision and regulatory authority over the conduct of the business of marijuana establishments as defined in MGL c. 94G.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
CANNABIS or MARIJUANA
All parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, not excepted below and whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; and resin extracted from any part of the plant; clones of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin including tetrahydrocannabinol as defined in MGL c. 94G, § 1; provided that cannabis shall not include:
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
A. 
The mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil, or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the mature stalks, fiber, oil, or cake made from the seeds of the plant or the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination;
B. 
Hemp; or
C. 
The weight of any other ingredient combined with cannabis or marijuana to prepare topical or oral administrations, food, drink or other products.
CANNABIS OR MARIJUANA ACCESSORIES
Equipment, products, devices, or materials of any kind that are intended or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing cannabis or marijuana into the human body.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
CELLAR
An area partly underground having more than 1/2 of its clear ceiling height below the mean finished grade level at the foundation.
CMR
Code of Massachusetts Regulations.
[Added 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 169; amended 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76]
CO-LOCATED MARIJUANA OPERATION
An entity operating under both a RMD registration pursuant to 935 CMR 501.000: Medical Marijuana, and under at least one marijuana establishment license pursuant to 935 CMR 500.000: Adult Use of Marijuana, in compliance with 935 CMR 502.000: Co-located Adult-Use and Medical-Use Marijuana Operations, on the same premises. Co-located marijuana operations pertain to cultivation, product manufacturing, and retail, but not any other adult-use license.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle which meets the definition of "commercial vehicle" as defined in 540 CMR 2.05, as may be amended.
[Amended 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 169]
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A document prepared and/or adopted by the Planning Board to guide the long-range development of the City, and which considers the type, location, arrangement, and/or density of land uses, streets, and necessary community services.
CONGREGATE ELDERLY HOUSING
An alternative housing arrangement for elderly or handicapped persons choosing to share a living arrangement with others. Residents have their own dwelling unit or bedroom, and share areas such as living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens. Support services such as house cleaning, meals, transportation, and minor health care are provided on-site. This definition excludes nursing homes and halfway houses.
[Amended 7-20-1987]
CONSTRUCTION
Those lot improvements including foundations, the erection of new buildings, expansion of footprints or existing structures, and the addition of impervious surface(s). The term "construction" shall not include fences, stone walls, and walks or paths made with solely porous materials.
[Amended 5-20-1993]
CORE PEDESTRIAN AREA
Refers to those parcels within the CC Central Business/CC2 Central Business Cabot Districts that front on: (a) either side of Cabot Street (a "primary street") from Elliott Street to Highland Avenue; or (b) either side of Rantoul Street (a "primary street") from Bow Street to Edwards Street; or (c) lower Railroad Avenue and Broadway (both "primary streets") only where they face Odell Park. This area need not be shown on the Zoning Map.
[Added 7-31-2017 by Ord. No. 374A; amended 2-13-2023 by Ord. No. 279]
CORNICE
Any permanent continuous horizontally projecting feature surmounting a wall or other portion of a building.
[Amended 4-10-1990]
COVERAGE
The ratio of the total ground floor area of buildings to the total area of the lot, expressed as a percentage.
CRAFT MARIJUANA COOPERATIVE
A marijuana cultivator comprised of residents of the Commonwealth and organized as a limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or cooperative corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth. A cooperative is licensed by the CCC to cultivate, obtain, manufacture, process, package and brand cannabis or marijuana products to transport marijuana to marijuana establishments.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
DOMESTIC EMPLOYEE
A person actually employed upon a premises for monetary compensation by the resident family thereof for not less than 30 hours per week and who provides domestic services to such family.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by Ord. No. 43]
DWELLING
A building used only for permanent habitation by one or more families. The term shall not include an hotel, motel, rooming house, hospital, or other accommodation used for transient lodging.
A. 
DWELLING UNITOne or more living and sleeping rooms providing complete living facilities for the use of one or more individuals constituting a single family, with permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. The term shall not include an hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast, rooming house, hospital, or other accommodation used for transient lodging.
[Amended 3-14-2000 by Ord. No. 43]
B. 
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY OR SINGLE-FAMILYA detached dwelling, other than a stationary trailer or mobile home, containing only one dwelling unit.
C. 
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILYTwo attached dwelling units in one building.
D. 
DWELLING, SEMI-DETACHEDA one-family dwelling attached by no more than one common wall to another one-family dwelling; and each dwelling may be on a separate lot.
E. 
DWELLING, MULTIFAMILYA dwelling containing three or more dwelling units.
F. 
DWELLING, MULTIPLE GROUPA group of two or more multifamily dwellings occupying a parcel of land in one or common ownership and having common open space.
ELDERLY
Persons 55 years or older, or those persons permanently disabled.
FAMILY
[Amended 3-14-2000 by Ord. No. 43]
A. 
One or more persons occupying a dwelling unit and living and cooking together on the premises as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit and further defined as one of the following:
(1) 
Any number of persons related by blood, by adoption, by foster home placement, and/or by marriage.
(2) 
Up to and including four persons not related to each other by blood, by adoption, by foster home placement, and/or by marriage.
(3) 
A combination of persons related by blood, by adoption, by foster home placement, and/or by marriage (such groups so related being one for the purpose of this definition) and no more than three other individual persons without consideration of the relationship that such three persons might have, if any, to each other.
B. 
Irrespective of the requirements of Subsection A above, domestic employees, as herein defined, need not occupy the same dwelling unit nor live and cook together in the same premises as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit with their employer family, but nonetheless for the purposes of this chapter shall be deemed members of a resident family in accordance with and as restricted by Subsection A(3) above.
FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT
A food service establishment with a drive-in window.
FLOOR AREA, GROSS
The sum of the areas of the several floors of a building, including areas used for human occupancy in basements, attics, and penthouses, as measured from the exterior faces of the walls. It does not include cellars, unenclosed porches, or attics not used for human occupancy or any floor space in accessory buildings or in the main building intended and designed for the parking of motor vehicles in order to meet the parking requirements of this chapter, or any such floor space intended and designed for accessory heating and ventilation equipment.
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
The ratio of the gross floor area of the building to the total lot area.
[Amended 6-1-2015 by Ord. No. 314]
300 Floor Area Ratio.tif
FRONTAGE
[Amended 7-17-1991 by Ord. No. 43; 3-14-2000 by Ord. No. 161; 6-24-2004]
A. 
The distance between either (1) the points of intersection of the side lot lines and the street right-of-way, measured along the street line, being an unbroken distance along the street; or (2) the points of intersection of the side lot lines and the rear line of the required front yard extended to the street right-of-way, being an unbroken distance along the rear line of the required front yard, whichever is smaller. For the purposes of this chapter, there shall be both rights of access and potential safe year round practical vehicular access, unimpeded by: (1) wetlands, unless a wetlands crossing has been approved by the Conservation Commission; or (2) topography which prevents a proposed driveway from meeting the requirements of § 300-64B(6), unless the Board of Appeals has granted an exception as provided in Article XIII; or (3) other natural or man-made barriers between the frontage line and a potential building site. Only sufficient frontage on one of the following types of ways shall be recognized for zoning purposes:
(1) 
A public way or a way certified by the City Clerk that is maintained and used as a public way;
(2) 
A way shown on a plan approved and endorsed by the Beverly Planning Board in accordance with the Subdivision Control Law; or
(3) 
A way physically in existence when the Subdivision Control Law became effective in Beverly having, in the opinion of the Planning Board, sufficient width, suitable grades, and adequate construction to provide for the needs of vehicular traffic in relation to the proposed use of the land abutting thereon or served thereby, and for the installation of municipal services to serve such land and the buildings erected or be erected thereon.
B. 
When a lot is bounded by more than one street, any one of them, but only one, may be designated as the frontage street by the owner, provided that that street provides sufficient frontage as required by this chapter; however, in the case of a lot bounded by two streets forming an interior angle of more than 135°, their combined frontage between lot lines may be used to satisfy the lot frontage requirement.
GASOLINE STATION
A building and premises where gasoline, oil, grease, batteries, tires, automobile accessories, and incidentals are sold at retail and where minor servicing and repairs take place. Major mechanical and body work, straightening of body parts, painting, welding, storage of automobiles not in operating condition, or other work involving noise, glare, fumes, or smoke are not included in this definition.
GROUNDWATER
Water located beneath the ground surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations.
[Amended by Ord. No. 169; 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Any substance or mixture of physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics posing a significant, actual, or potential hazard to water supplies or other hazards to human health if such substance or mixture were discharged to land or water. Hazardous materials include, without limitation: synthetic organic chemicals; petroleum products; heavy metals; radioactive or infectious wastes; acids and alkalis; solvents and thinners in quantities greater than normal household use; and all substances defined as hazardous or toxic under MGL c. 21C and c. 21E and 310 CMR 30.00.
[Amended by Ord. No. 169-2012; 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
A waste, or combination of wastes, which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness or pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human, health, safety, and welfare, or to the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, used or disposed of, or otherwise managed. These substances are further defined in 310 CMR 30.010.
[Amended by Ord. No. 169-2012; 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
HEIGHT
The vertical distance from the lower of:
[Amended 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 169]
A. 
The average grade of the footprint of the building; or
B. 
The average grade at the front of the building to the top of the highest roof beams of a flat or pitched roof.
HEMP
The plant of the genus Cannabis or any part of the plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis of any part of the plant of the genus Cannabis, or per volume or weight of cannabis or marijuana product, or the combined percent of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in any part of the plant of the genus Cannabis regardless of moisture content.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
HOME OCCUPATION or HOME PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
The use of a room in a dwelling as an office, studio, or workroom for occupation at home by a person residing on the premises and in connection with which the primary use is not the sale of commodities on the premises and which:
[Amended 3-25-1996 by Ord. No. 49]
A. 
Shall not have more than one employee (other than the owner/occupant) engaged on the premises at any one time.
B. 
Shall provide off-street parking spaces on site at the following ratio: one space for each vehicle owned by the occupants of the home, up to a maximum of two spaces; one space for the employee of the home occupation or home professional office, if there is one; and one space for a client if the nature of the occupation or office warrants such space, as determined by the Building Inspector. In any case, no more than four spaces shall be provided on site and the portion of the lot serving as the parking area shall be screened from abutting properties in accordance with the requirements of Subsection B, C, D or E of the definition of "screening" below.
C. 
Shall not have more than one commercial vehicle parked on the premises at any one time.
D. 
Shall have no exterior display or storage of materials beyond that permitted by this chapter.
HOTEL
An establishment providing transient lodging accommodations to the general public for compensation and which may include, but is not limited to, ancillary facilities and services such as restaurants, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.
[Added 6-1-2015 by Ord. No. 314]
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Material or structure on, above, or below the ground that eliminates rainwater infiltration and groundwater recharge.
[Amended by Ord. No. 169-2012; 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORY
A laboratory that is licensed by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and is:
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
A. 
Accredited to the International Organization for Standardization 17025 (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) by a third-party accrediting body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Accrediting Cooperation mutual recognition arrangement or that is otherwise approved by the Cannabis Control Commission;
B. 
Independent financially from any medical marijuana treatment center (RMD) or marijuana establishment for which it conducts a test; and
C. 
Qualified to test marijuana in compliance with 935 CMR 500.160 and MGL c. 94C, § 34.
LANDFILL
A facility established in accordance with a valid site assignment pursuant to MGL c. 111, § 150A, for the purposes of disposing solid waste into or on the land.
[Amended by Ord. No. 169-2012; 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
LEACHABLE WASTES
Waste materials including solid wastes, sewage, sludge, and agricultural wastes that are capable of releasing waterborne contaminants to the surrounding environment.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
LINEAL FRONTAGE
The length in feet an establishment faces a street or public right-of-way at the first floor or entrance level.
[Amended 4-10-1990]
LOCAL INITIATIVE PROGRAM
A program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) pursuant to 760 CMR 56.00 to develop and implement local housing initiatives that produce affordable housing.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103; 2-16-2016 by Ord. No. 013]
LOT
A parcel of land in identical ownership throughout of at least sufficient size to meet the minimum requirements of this chapter for use, frontage, coverage, and area and to provide required yards and other open spaces. The area of a lot is that area, in square feet or acres, enclosed by the lot lines of a single lot. In calculating the area of a lot for purposes of determining such lot's conformance with the minimum area requirements of this chapter (but not for any other dimensional calculations), no portion of such lot shall be included which: (i) is subject to an easement or right-of-way that is recorded (or shown on a plan that is recorded or to be recorded) and that serves property outside the lot, or (ii) is subject to a restriction that by its terms prevents or prohibits the owner of such lot from making any substantial use of that portion of the lot; but neither (i) or (ii) above shall apply to any easement, right-of-way, or restriction that is either for utility or conservation purposes or that is held by or generally open to governmental agencies or the public. Additionally, for lots created after July 15, 1996, no more than 20% of that portion of a lot classifiable as freshwater or coastal wetlands under the provisions of MGL c. 131, § 40, as amended, shall be included in the calculation of a lot's area for purposes of determining conformance with this chapter.
[Amended 3-25-1996 by Ord. No. 49; 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 169; 6-24-2004 by Ord. No. 161; 12-29-2005 by Ord. No. 206]
A. 
LOT, CORNERA lot with frontage on two or more streets at their intersection, where the interior angle of the intersection is less than 130°.
B. 
LOT, NONCONFORMINGA lot of record at the time this chapter becomes effective but which does not conform with the regulations for the district in which it is located.
C. 
LOT WIDTHSee "frontage" definition in this section.
LOW- OR MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
A household with income at or below 80% of area median income, adjusted for household size. In a development with affordable housing units, "eligible low- or moderate-income household" means the household that purchases or rents an affordable housing unit as its principal residence.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
MAJOR RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Boat and boat trailers, travel trailers, pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, and similar devices.
MAKER SPACE
Uses that process, fabricate, assemble, treat, or package finished parts or products without the production or use in large quantities of hazardous or explosive materials. Due to the nature of operations and products, little or no noise, offensive odors, undue vibration or glare, and/or environmental pollution is produced, and, therefore, there is minimal impact on surrounding properties. Operations may include the storage of materials and the loading and unloading of new materials and finished products. Activities common to this use include, but are not limited to, food and beverage production, electronics and other electrical equipment assembly, furniture and other woodworking, printing and publishing operations, computer hardware manufacturing, and the fabrication of metal products except machinery and transportation equipment.
[Added 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 014]
MARIJUANA CULTIVATOR
An entity licensed by the CCC to cultivate, process and package marijuana, and to transfer marijuana to other marijuana establishments, but not to consumers.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT
A marijuana retailer, marijuana product manufacturer, marijuana cultivator, marijuana testing facility, marijuana research facility, marijuana transporter, or any other type of CCC licensed marijuana-related business.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA PRODUCT
Marijuana and its products unless otherwise indicated. These include products have been manufactured and contain marijuana or an extract from marijuana, including concentrated forms of marijuana and products composed of marijuana and other ingredients that are intended for use or consumption, including edible products, beverages, topical products, ointments, oils and tinctures.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA PRODUCT MANUFACTURER
An entity licensed by the CCC to obtain, manufacture, process and package marijuana products and to transfer these products to other marijuana establishments, but not to consumers.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA RESEARCH FACILITY
An entity licensed by the CCC to engage in research projects.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA RETAILER
An entity licensed by the CCC to purchase and transport marijuana product from marijuana establishments and to sell or otherwise transfer this product to marijuana establishments and to consumers. Retailers are prohibited from delivering marijuana products to consumers, and from offering marijuana products for the purposes of on-site social consumption on the premises of a marijuana establishment.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARIJUANA TRANSPORTER
An entity that is licensed by the CCC to purchase, obtain, and possess marijuana product solely for the purpose of transporting, temporary storage, sale and distribution to marijuana establishments, but not to consumers.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MARKET-RATE HOUSING
In a development with affordable housing, "market-rate housing" means all units other than the affordable housing units as defined in this chapter.
MAXIMUM AFFORDABLE PURCHASE PRICE OR RENT
For homeownership units, a purchase price that is affordable to a low- or moderate-income household paying not more than 30% of gross monthly income for a mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance and condominium fees where applicable; and for rental units, a monthly rent that is affordable to a low- or moderate-income household paying no more than 30% of its gross monthly income for rent and utilities. The household income used to compute the maximum affordable purchase price or rent shall be adjusted for household size, considering the household size for which a proposed affordable unit would be suitable under guidelines of the local initiative program or, where no such guidelines exist, under regulations adopted by the Planning Board.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
MEAN
A number or point which is halfway between two extremes.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT CENTER, also known as a REGISTERED MARIJUANA DISPENSARY (RMD)
An entity registered under 935 CMR 501.000: Medical Marijuana that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of related products such as edible cannabis or marijuana products, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells, distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies, or educational materials to registered qualifying patients or their personal caregivers. Unless otherwise specified, RMD refers to the site(s) of dispensing, cultivation, and preparation of marijuana.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MGL
Massachusetts General Law.
[Added by Ord. No. 169-2012; amended 6-19-2013 by Ord. No. 76-2013]
MICROBUSINESS
A co-located marijuana establishment that can be either a marijuana cultivator or marijuana product manufacturer or both, in compliance with the operating procedures for each license by the CCC. A microbusiness that is a marijuana product manufacturer may purchase no more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana per year from other marijuana establishments.
[Added 1-7-2019 by Ord. No. 213A]
MINING OF LAND
The removal and relocation of geologic materials such as topsoil, sand and gravel, metallic ores, or bedrock.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
MIXED USE
Two or more compatible uses on a single parcel pursuant to a single development plan which may include, without limitation, office, retail, residential, medical, educational, recreational and/or civic uses.
[Amended 2-19-2009 by Ord. No. 230]
MOBILE HOME
A detached residential dwelling unit designed for transportation after fabrication on streets or highways on its own wheels or on flatbed or other trailer, and arriving at the site where it is to be occupied as a dwelling complete and ready for occupancy, except for assembly operations, location on jacks or other temporary or permanent foundations, connections to utilities, etc. A travel trailer is not to be considered as a mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
Any lot used to accommodate two or more individual mobile homes, including all necessary buildings, tents, or other appurtenances; and regardless of whether a charge is made for such accommodations. A mobile home park does not include the parking of unoccupied homes for inspection and sale as a commercial business.
OFF-STREET PARKING
Parking spaces provided outside of the right-of-way of a street or highway.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
ON-STREET PARKING
Parking spaces provided within the right-of-way of a street or highway.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
PARKING AISLE
The driving portion of a parking lot, which provides access to each parking space.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
PARKING LOT
That portion of a lot set aside, marked, and posted for the parking of vehicles which may include, in addition to parking spaces and aisles, circulation areas, loading and unloading areas, landscaped areas and islands intended to channel traffic, bikeways and walkways.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
PARKING SPACE
A space in which a single vehicle may be parked.
[Amended 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 52]
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board of the City of Beverly.
PRIMARY FACADE
The length in feet of that side of an establishment's structure that faces a street or public right-of-way at the first floor or entrance level.
[Amended 5-29-2003 by Ord. No. 59]
PRIVATE PASSENGER MOTOR VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle which meets the definition of "private passenger motor vehicle" as defined in 540 CMR 2.05, as may be amended.
[Amended 8-27-1996 by Ord. No. 169]
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Space left without a structure of any kind and without parking lots which is dedicated to the City via an easement obtained from the property owner. This space may be beaches, pedestrian walkways, picnic areas, landscaping, or other green space.
RECHARGE AREAS
Areas composed of permeable stratified sand and gravel and certain wetlands that collect precipitation or surface water and carry it to aquifers.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
RECREATIONAL BOATING FACILITY
A facility on and abutting tidal waters for berthing of recreational vessels at which all berths and accessory uses thereto are available for patronage by the general public on a seasonal or transient basis. Such facility may be either publicly or privately owned, and may include town piers, or community sailing centers or yacht clubs offering open membership to the public. Nothing in this provision shall be construed as allowing the storage of recreational vessels and/or recreational and marine equipment off the premises of the facility, nor as prohibiting the adoption of minimum eligibility criteria of broad, objective applicability, such as basic knowledge of boating safety or a willingness to make regular work commitments; nor as prohibiting the reservation of a berth for the operation of said facility.
[Amended 11-23-1994 by Ord. No. 254; 6-1-2015 by Ord. No. 314]
SCREENING
A visual barrier which may be:
[Amended 6-26-1987; 7-1-1992]
A. 
A masonry wall, brick veneer, tilt-wall concrete, or poured-in-place concrete, minimum height of six feet.
B. 
A five-foot-wide and five-foot-high evergreen landscaping strip.
C. 
A landscaped earthen berm at least five feet in height.
D. 
A wood fence with permanent slats, not less than six feet in height.
E. 
A combination of the above.
SETBACK
A line beyond which the foundation wall and/or any enclosed covered porch or other enclosed portion of a building shall not project. In the case of private easements that serve as legal frontage for, or provide vehicular access to, any lot, minimum yard setbacks required by this chapter shall be measured from the side line of the private easement or the property line, whichever is closest to the location of the building.
[Amended 5-4-2006 by Ord. No. 10]
SHARED PARKING
A parking arrangement within a mixed-use development which allows for the sharing of parking spaces by more than one use, each with different parking occupancy demand patterns.
[Amended 2-19-2009 by Ord. No. 230]
SIGN
[Amended 4-10-1990; 5-29-2003 by Ord. No. 59]
A. 
The definitions specific to signs shall control where there is any inconsistency between the definitions specific to signs and the general definitions of this chapter.
(1) 
ABANDONED SIGNA sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, owner, lessor, lessee, service, product, or activity, or for which no legal owner can be found or, if found, disclaims any interest in the sign.
(2) 
ANIMATED SIGNAny sign with visible moving parts which includes any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use. For this purpose, any revolving, illuminated sign shall be considered an "animated sign."
(3) 
ADVERTISING SIGNA sign which directs attention to a business, profession, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the same premises.
(4) 
ALTERATION TO SIGNAny enlargement, rewording (other than in the case of theater or cinema signs or other sign boards with automatically changing messages), redesign or alteration in any way, other than routine maintenance, including repainting in a different color, or any work on a sign that has deteriorated to such an extent that the cost of restoration would exceed 30% of the replacement cost of the sign at time of restoration. Any alteration to a sign and all altered signs must conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(5) 
AREA OF SIGNThe area of a sign shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or other convex shape which encompasses all the letters and symbols of the sign message or such message together with any frame, background, trim, or other integral part of the display on which such message is placed.
(6) 
AWNING SIGNAny sign placed on the face of an awning. An awning is a flexible, woven cloth fabric mounted above and/or projected above a window or door.
(7) 
CANOPY SIGNA sign located on a rigid structure erected over gas pumps at gas filling stations or over other automobile services areas.
(8) 
CLUSTER SIGNTwo or more signs integrated into one freestanding sign structure.
(9) 
DEFUNCT SIGNA sign which advertises an activity, business, project, or service no longer produced or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
(10) 
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign located on a building, or freestanding within the area between the building and 1/2 the distance to the nearest property line, which identifies the occupants and their location within a building.
(11) 
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign, including the supporting device, not part of or attached to any building but located elsewhere on a lot.
(12) 
OBSTRUCTING SIGNA sign which obstructs a fire escape, window, door, or other opening, or which prevents free passage from one part of a roof to any other part thereof.
(13) 
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA sign which advertises or announces a use conducted or goods available elsewhere than on the lot on which the sign is located.
(14) 
PORTABLE SIGNA freestanding sign not permanently affixed, anchored, or secured to the ground or structure on the lot it occupies.
(15) 
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign which is attached to a building or other structure which projects more than 12 inches from the wall surface of the building or structure in front of which the sign is positioned.
(16) 
ROOF SIGNAny sign erected, constructed, and maintained upon or over the roof of any building.
(17) 
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNAn "A-frame" shaped sign that identifies or advertises a place of business and that consists of two sign boards that are hinged together at the top and on which an establishment's name has been factory-imprinted.
[Amended 6-20-2007 by Ord. No. 57]
(18) 
TEMPORARY SIGNAny sign intended to be maintained for a continuous period not to exceed 14 days.
(19) 
WALL SIGNA sign or letters placed on the building which projects no more than 12 inches from and is parallel to the face of the building.
(20) 
WINDOW SIGNA sign painted or posted on an interior translucent surface, including windows or doors. In the case of individually lettered signs, sign area shall be the smallest geometrical shape which contains the letters.
B. 
Any exterior design feature of a building or structure that is associated with the corporate image or identification of a business which effectively results in extending the area of a sign shall be considered a sign and subject to regulation under this chapter. The term "exterior design features" shall include but not be limited to rigid canopies, feature strips, roofs, graphics, and color.
SOLAR ACCESS
The access of a solar energy system to direct sunlight.
[Added 6-18-2018 by Ord. No. 067B]
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
A device or structural design feature, a substantial purpose of which is to provide daylight for interior lighting or provide for the collection, storage, and distribution of solar energy for space heating and cooling, electricity generation, or water heating.
[Added 6-18-2018 by Ord. No. 067B]
A. 
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, GROUND-MOUNTEDA solar energy system, including, but not limited to, panels, electrical equipment, and accessory structures, that is structurally mounted to the ground and is not roof-mounted; may be of any size.
B. 
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, LARGE-SCALEA solar energy system that occupies more than 1,000 square feet of surface area.
C. 
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, ROOF-MOUNTEDA solar energy system that is structurally mounted to the roof of a building or structure; may be of any size.
D. 
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, SMALL-SCALEA solar energy system that occupies 1,000 square feet or less of surface area.
SOLID WASTES
Useless, unwanted, or discarded solid material with insufficient liquid content to be free flowing. This includes, but is not limited to, rubbish, garbage, scrap, junk, refuse, inert fill material and landscape refuse.
[Amended 3-5-1990]
STORY
That portion of a building included between the floor and the floor or roof next above. A half-story is a partial story under a sloping roof, the wall plates of which, on two exterior walls, are not more than two feet above the floor of such partial story.
STRUCTURE
A construction including, but not limited to, buildings as hereinbefore defined, stadiums, radio towers, fences, freestanding signs, projecting sign and other structural facilities.
[Amended 5-29-2003 by Ord. No. 59]
SUBSIDIZED ELDERLY HOUSING
[Amended 12-29-2005 by Ord. No. 206]
A. 
A residential development in which:
(1) 
At least 80% of the units are occupied by at least one person age 55 and over;
(2) 
At least 15% of the units ("the affordable units") are designated for occupancy by persons of low or moderate income as determined by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Boston, MA/New Hampshire PMSA; and
(3) 
At least 10% of the constructed units are designed and equipped for those with disabilities.
B. 
There shall be a deed restriction for such affordable units, regardless of the form of ownership or tenancy, that ensures occupancy of the units by those of low or moderate income as defined by HUD in perpetuity.
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING INVENTORY
The Department of Housing and Community Development Chapter 40B Subsidized Housing Inventory.
[Amended 7-17-2007 by Ord. No. 103]
TASTING ROOM
An accessory use located within a brewery/distillery/winery establishment that allows patrons to taste samples of alcoholic beverages that are produced on-site, provided that any such facility that serves samples of alcoholic beverages has a Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued farmer series pouring permit, per MGL c. 138 § 19B(n), Farmer winery, 19C(n), Farmer-brewery, or 19E(o), Farmer-distillery.
[Added 4-19-2016 by Ord. No. 014]
A. 
A tasting room may also include related retail sales and host marketing events, special events, and/or factory tours.
B. 
A tasting room or accessory retail shall front the street at sidewalk level or have a well-marked and visible entrance at sidewalk level, and be open to the public.
C. 
A tasting room or accessory retail may not be greater than 33% of the establishment's gross square footage, or 2,000 square feet, whichever is less.
D. 
An outdoor patio may be included in the total area of a tasting room, so long as it does not occur in the parking area and appropriate screening is provided, if necessary.
USE
The principal purpose for which a lot or the principal building thereon is designed, occupied, maintained, or intended to be used.
A. 
USE, ACCESSORYA use of a building, land, or portion thereof, normally incidental to the permitted use of the premises.
B. 
USE, NONCONFORMINGA use which lawfully exists at the time this chapter becomes effective but which does not conform with the regulations for the district in which it is located.
C. 
USE, PRINCIPALAny primary purpose for which a structure or lot is designed, arranged, occupied, or intended, which may be used or maintained under this chapter. The use of any structure or land on the same lot and incidental or supplementary thereto and permitted under this chapter shall be considered as accessory use.
USED CAR SALES
A retail establishment displaying and selling four or more previously owned vehicles per year.
YARD
A required open space lying between a building or outer building of a group and the nearest lot line.
A. 
YARD, FRONTAn open space extending for the full width of the lot between the front line of the building wall and the front lot line; on corner lots either street may be designated as the front yard regardless of the address or entrance location of the building. The front-yard setback shall apply to one street only.
B. 
YARD, REARAn open space extending the full width of the lot between the rear line of the building wall and the rear lot line. An accessory building or accessory use as herein permitted may be located in the rear yard.
[Amended 7-1-1992]
C. 
YARD, SIDEAn open space extending for the full length of a building between the building wall and the side lot line. On triangular-shaped lots, each side yard setback shall be parallel and extended to a rear point of intersection within the lot.