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City of Watertown, MA
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2024-03-28
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Title XV: Land Usage
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Chapter 155 Zoning Code
Watertown Home Rule Charter
Ch C
Watertown Home Rule Charter
Title I: General Provisions
Ch 10
General Provisions
Title III: Administration
Ch 30
City Officials and Employees
Ch 31
Boards, Commissions and Departments
Ch 32
Finances
Ch 33
Taxation
Ch 34
Purchasing Procedures
Ch 35
Code Enforcement
Ch 36
Committees
Ch 37
Municipal Housing Trust
Ch 38
Administrative Policies
Ch 39
Watertown Square Cultural District
Title V: Public Works
Ch 50
General Provisions
Ch 51
Electricity
Ch 52
Garbage and Refuse
Ch 53
Sewers
Ch 54
Water
Ch 55
Curbs and Sidewalks
Title VII: Traffic Regulations
Ch 70
Traffic Commission
Ch 71
Parking and Stopping Regulations
Ch 72
Transportation Demand Management Programs
Ch 73
Traffic Rules and Orders
Title IX: General Regulations
Ch 90
Abandoned Vehicles
Ch 91
Animals
Ch 92
Fire Prevention
Ch 93
Health and Safety
Ch 94
Newsracks
Ch 95
Noise Regulations
Ch 96
Streets and Sidewalks
Ch 97
Stormwater Regulations
Ch 98
Stormwater Management and Erosion Control
Title XI: Business Regulations
Ch 110
General Provisions
Ch 111
Junk and Second-Hand Dealers
Ch 112
Peddlers and Solicitors
Ch 113
Retail Food Stores
Ch 114
Service Stations
Ch 115
Single-Use Plastic Bag Reduction
Ch 116
Bring Your Own Bottle Regulations
Ch 117
Closed Captioning Activation
Title XIII: General Offenses
Ch 130
General Offenses
Title XV: Land Usage
Ch 150
Building Regulations
Ch 151
Planning and Development
Ch 152
Historic Districts
Ch 153
Demolition of Historic Buildings
Ch 154
Wetlands
Ch 155
Zoning Code
Ch 155 Art I
Purpose and Interpretation
§ 1.00
Purpose of Zoning Ordinance.
§ 1.01
Interpretation.
Ch 155 Art II
Definitions
§ 2.00
Definitions.
§ 2.01
Accessory.
§ 2.02
Agriculture.
§ 2.03
Adult stores.
§ 2.04
Adult theater.
§ 2.05
Assisted living.
§ 2.06
Basement.
§ 2.07
Buffer zone.
§ 2.08
Build-to-line.
§ 2.09
Building.
§ 2.10
Building area.
§ 2.11
Building coverage.
§ 2.12
Building front yard.
§ 2.13
Building, principal.
§ 2.14
Business accessory use, usual.
§ 2.15
Corner lot.
§ 2.16
Conversion.
§ 2.17
Driveway.
§ 2.18
Dwelling.
§ 2.19
Dwelling unit.
§ 2.20
Erect.
§ 2.21
Exempt religious or educational use.
§ 2.22
Existing.
§ 2.23
Family.
§ 2.24
Family day care.
§ 2.25
Fast food establishment.
§ 2.26
Fence.
§ 2.27
Firearms business.
§ 2.28
Flood, base.
§ 2.29
Floodway/100-year floodplain.
§ 2.30
Floor area ratio (FAR).
§ 2.31
Front building line.
§ 2.32
Frontage.
§ 2.33
Gasoline service station.
§ 2.34
Gross floor area.
§ 2.35
Height of building.
§ 2.36
Home occupation.
§ 2.37
Home office.
§ 2.38
Hotel, motel.
§ 2.39
Impervious coverage.
§ 2.40
Industry, heavy.
§ 2.41
Industry, light.
§ 2.42
Interested party.
§ 2.43
Landscaped.
§ 2.44
Licensed day care.
§ 2.45
Lodger.
§ 2.46
Lodging house, licensed.
§ 2.47
Lot.
§ 2.48
Lot area.
§ 2.49
Lot frontage.
§ 2.50
Lot line, front.
§ 2.51
Lot line, side.
§ 2.52
Lot line, street or street line.
§ 2.53
Lot line, rear.
§ 2.54
Lot width.
§ 2.55
Low impact development.
§ 2.56
Mixed use development.
§ 2.57
Motor vehicle body work establishment.
§ 2.58
Motor vehicle repair establishment.
§ 2.59
Non-conforming building or lot.
§ 2.60
Non-conforming use.
§ 2.61
Occupied.
§ 2.62
Open space.
§ 2.63
Open space, publicly usable.
§ 2.64
Operable (motor vehicle).
§ 2.65
Principal use.
§ 2.66
Profession.
§ 2.67
Renewable or alternative energy.
§ 2.68
Renewable or alternative energy research, development or manufacturing facilities.
§ 2.69
Research facility.
§ 2.70
Restaurant, drive-in; refreshment stand, drive-in; eating establishment, drive-through.
§ 2.71
Retail.
§ 2.72
Retaining wall.
§ 2.73
Screening.
§ 2.74
Self-service storage facility.
§ 2.75
Setback.
§ 2.76
Sign.
§ 2.77
Sign, area of.
§ 2.78
Smart growth.
§ 2.79
Special permit.
§ 2.80
Story, half-story.
§ 2.81
Street.
§ 2.82
Structure.
§ 2.83
Transportation demand management plan (TDM plan).
§ 2.84
Use.
§ 2.85
Variance.
§ 2.86
Wholesale.
§ 2.87
Wireless telecommunications facility.
§ 2.88
Yard, front.
§ 2.89
Yard, side.
§ 2.90
Yard, rear.
Ch 155 Art III
Establishment of Zoning Districts
§ 3.00
Division of the City into districts.
§ 3.01
Classification of districts.
§ 3.02
Boundaries of the districts.
Ch 155 Art IV
General Use and Dimensional Regulations
§ 4.00
Applicability of use regulations.
§ 4.01
Permitted uses.
§ 4.02
Uses subject to other regulations.
§ 4.03
Accessory uses.
§ 4.04
Prohibited uses.
§ 4.05
Continuance of non-conforming use.
§ 4.06
Alteration of non-conforming uses and buildings/structures.
§ 4.07
Reconstruction of a non-conforming building after catastrophe.
§ 4.08
Applicability of dimensional regulations.
§ 4.09
Exceptions to lot size regulations.
§ 4.10
Exceptions to height regulations.
§ 4.11
Exceptions to setback requirements.
§ 4.12
Required corner clearance for visibility.
§ 4.13
Transition requirements.
§ 4.14
Screening.
§ 4.15
Discouraged exterior cladding materials.
Ch 155 Art V
Tables of District Regulations
§ 5.00
Interpretation.
§ 5.01
Table of Use Regulations.
§ 5.02
Table of Accessory Use Regulations.
§ 5.03
Notes to Table of Use Regulations.
§ 5.04
Table of Dimensional Regulations.
§ 5.05
Notes to Table of Dimensional Regulations.
§ 5.06
Floodplain District.
§ 5.07
Affordable housing.
§ 5.08
Revitalization Overlay special permit (RO).
§ 5.09
Watertown Square Design Overlay District.
§ 5.10
Limited Redevelopment District (RD).
§ 5.11
Assisted Living Overlay District (ALOD).
§ 5.12
Arsenal Overlay Development District (AODD).
§ 5.13
Wireless telecommunications facilities.
§ 5.14
Religious/School Building Overlay District (R/SOD).
§ 5.15
Municipal reuse and development.
§ 5.16
Pleasant Street Corridor District (PSCD).
§ 5.17
Design guidelines.
§ 5.18
Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD).
Ch 155 Art VI
Automotive and Bicycle Parking Requirements
§ 6.00
Intent of requirements.
§ 6.01
Required off-street parking spaces.
§ 6.02
Location and design of off-street parking spaces.
§ 6.03
Required off-street loading spaces.
§ 6.04
Design and layout of off-street loading facilities.
§ 6.05
Outdoor automobile storage, new or used vehicles.
§ 6.06
Gasoline service stations.
§ 6.07
Bicycle parking.
Ch 155 Art VII
Signs and Illumination
§ 7.00
Intent and purpose.
§ 7.01
Definition of terms.
§ 7.02
Application and procedure.
§ 7.03
Signs in all districts.
§ 7.04
Signs in S-10, S-6, SC, CR, T and OSC Districts.
§ 7.05
Signs in R.75 and R1.2 Districts, and for residential uses in the I-3 and RMUD District.
§ 7.06
Signs in the NB, LB, CB, I, RMUD, and PSCD Districts.
§ 7.07
Sign special permit.
§ 7.08
Permitted illumination.
§ 7.09
Non-conformance.
§ 7.10
Watertown Square Design Overlay District.
§ 7.11
Hotel and motel signs.
§ 7.12
Exterior lighting standards.
§ 7.13
Exterior lighting technical submittals.
Ch 155 Art VIII
Other Regulations
§ 8.00
Regulation of soil removal or ledge.
§ 8.01
Overhanging shrubs or evergreens.
§ 8.02
Sale of products on public rights of way.
§ 8.03
Yard sales.
§ 8.04
Medical marijuana treatment centers and adult use marijuana establishments.
§ 8.05
Solar energy systems.
Ch 155 Art IX
Enforcement and Application Procedures
§ 9.00
Enforcement; violations.
§ 9.01
Building permit.
§ 9.02
Occupancy permit.
§ 9.03
Site plan review of certain residential and non-residential developments.
§ 9.04
Application and hearing procedures for special permits and variances.
§ 9.05
Special permit: conditions for approval.
§ 9.06
Special permit criteria for I-1 and I-2 Districts.
§ 9.07
Special permit criteria for I-3 District.
§ 9.08
Special permit criteria for I-3 District - lot size.
§ 9.09
Limited approval of special permit.
§ 9.10
Withdrawal of limited special permit.
§ 9.11
Special permit for temporary structures.
§ 9.12
Special permit approval of certain site plans.
§ 9.13
Lapse of special permit.
§ 9.14
Variances.
§ 9.15
Conditions for approval of a variance.
§ 9.16
Lapse of variance.
§ 9.17
Special permits and variances: effective dates.
§ 9.18
Special permits and variances; withdrawal without prejudice; reconsideration.
§ 9.19
Right of appeal.
§ 9.20
Amendments to zoning ordinance.
§ 9.21
Public hearings for amendments.
§ 9.22
Notice of public hearings for amendments.
Ch 155 Art X
Administrative Provisions
§ 10.00
Provision for Board of Appeals.
§ 10.01
Validity.
§ 10.02
Effective date.
Ch 156
Historic Landmarks
Table of Special Ordinances
Ch TSO
Table of Special Ordinances
Derivation Table
Ch DT
Derivation Table
Disposition List
Ch DL
Disposition List
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Chapter 155
Zoning Code
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Zoning Map
Attachment 2 - Appendix I, Legislative Chronology
Article I
Purpose and Interpretation
chevron_right
§ 1.00
Purpose of Zoning Ordinance.
chevron_right
§ 1.01
Interpretation.
chevron_right
Article II
Definitions
note
chevron_right
§ 2.00
Definitions.
chevron_right
§ 2.01
Accessory.
chevron_right
§ 2.02
Agriculture.
chevron_right
§ 2.03
Adult stores.
chevron_right
§ 2.04
Adult theater.
chevron_right
§ 2.05
Assisted living.
chevron_right
§ 2.06
Basement.
chevron_right
§ 2.07
Buffer zone.
chevron_right
§ 2.08
Build-to-line.
chevron_right
§ 2.09
Building.
chevron_right
§ 2.10
Building area.
chevron_right
§ 2.11
Building coverage.
chevron_right
§ 2.12
Building front yard.
chevron_right
§ 2.13
Building, principal.
chevron_right
§ 2.14
Business accessory use, usual.
chevron_right
§ 2.15
Corner lot.
chevron_right
§ 2.16
Conversion.
chevron_right
§ 2.17
Driveway.
chevron_right
§ 2.18
Dwelling.
chevron_right
§ 2.19
Dwelling unit.
chevron_right
§ 2.20
Erect.
chevron_right
§ 2.21
Exempt religious or educational use.
chevron_right
§ 2.22
Existing.
chevron_right
§ 2.23
Family.
chevron_right
§ 2.24
Family day care.
chevron_right
§ 2.25
Fast food establishment.
chevron_right
§ 2.26
Fence.
chevron_right
§ 2.27
Firearms business.
chevron_right
§ 2.28
Flood, base.
chevron_right
§ 2.29
Floodway/100-year floodplain.
chevron_right
§ 2.30
Floor area ratio (FAR).
chevron_right
§ 2.31
Front building line.
chevron_right
§ 2.32
Frontage.
chevron_right
§ 2.33
Gasoline service station.
chevron_right
§ 2.34
Gross floor area.
chevron_right
§ 2.35
Height of building.
chevron_right
§ 2.36
Home occupation.
chevron_right
§ 2.37
Home office.
chevron_right
§ 2.38
Hotel, motel.
chevron_right
§ 2.39
Impervious coverage.
chevron_right
§ 2.40
Industry, heavy.
chevron_right
§ 2.41
Industry, light.
chevron_right
§ 2.42
Interested party.
chevron_right
§ 2.43
Landscaped.
chevron_right
§ 2.44
Licensed day care.
chevron_right
§ 2.45
Lodger.
chevron_right
§ 2.46
Lodging house, licensed.
chevron_right
§ 2.47
Lot.
chevron_right
§ 2.48
Lot area.
chevron_right
§ 2.49
Lot frontage.
chevron_right
§ 2.50
Lot line, front.
chevron_right
§ 2.51
Lot line, side.
chevron_right
§ 2.52
Lot line, street or street line.
chevron_right
§ 2.53
Lot line, rear.
chevron_right
§ 2.54
Lot width.
chevron_right
§ 2.55
Low impact development.
chevron_right
§ 2.56
Mixed use development.
chevron_right
§ 2.57
Motor vehicle body work establishment.
chevron_right
§ 2.58
Motor vehicle repair establishment.
chevron_right
§ 2.59
Non-conforming building or lot.
chevron_right
§ 2.60
Non-conforming use.
chevron_right
§ 2.61
Occupied.
chevron_right
§ 2.62
Open space.
chevron_right
§ 2.63
Open space, publicly usable.
chevron_right
§ 2.64
Operable (motor vehicle).
chevron_right
§ 2.65
Principal use.
chevron_right
§ 2.66
Profession.
chevron_right
§ 2.67
Renewable or alternative energy.
chevron_right
§ 2.68
Renewable or alternative energy research, development or manufacturing facilities.
chevron_right
§ 2.69
Research facility.
chevron_right
§ 2.70
Restaurant, drive-in; refreshment stand, drive-in; eating establishment, drive-through.
chevron_right
§ 2.71
Retail.
chevron_right
§ 2.72
Retaining wall.
chevron_right
§ 2.73
Screening.
chevron_right
§ 2.74
Self-service storage facility.
chevron_right
§ 2.75
Setback.
chevron_right
§ 2.76
Sign.
chevron_right
§ 2.77
Sign, area of.
chevron_right
§ 2.78
Smart growth.
chevron_right
§ 2.79
Special permit.
chevron_right
§ 2.80
Story, half-story.
chevron_right
§ 2.81
Street.
chevron_right
§ 2.82
Structure.
chevron_right
§ 2.83
Transportation demand management plan (TDM plan).
chevron_right
§ 2.84
Use.
chevron_right
§ 2.85
Variance.
chevron_right
§ 2.86
Wholesale.
chevron_right
§ 2.87
Wireless telecommunications facility.
chevron_right
§ 2.88
Yard, front.
chevron_right
§ 2.89
Yard, side.
chevron_right
§ 2.90
Yard, rear.
chevron_right
Article III
Establishment of Zoning Districts
note
chevron_right
§ 3.00
Division of the City into districts.
chevron_right
§ 3.01
Classification of districts.
chevron_right
§ 3.02
Boundaries of the districts.
chevron_right
Article IV
General Use and Dimensional Regulations
chevron_right
§ 4.00
Applicability of use regulations.
chevron_right
§ 4.01
Permitted uses.
chevron_right
§ 4.02
Uses subject to other regulations.
chevron_right
§ 4.03
Accessory uses.
chevron_right
§ 4.04
Prohibited uses.
chevron_right
§ 4.05
Continuance of non-conforming use.
chevron_right
§ 4.06
Alteration of non-conforming uses and buildings/structures.
chevron_right
§ 4.07
Reconstruction of a non-conforming building after catastrophe.
chevron_right
§ 4.08
Applicability of dimensional regulations.
chevron_right
§ 4.09
Exceptions to lot size regulations.
chevron_right
§ 4.10
Exceptions to height regulations.
chevron_right
§ 4.11
Exceptions to setback requirements.
chevron_right
§ 4.12
Required corner clearance for visibility.
chevron_right
§ 4.13
Transition requirements.
chevron_right
§ 4.14
Screening.
chevron_right
§ 4.15
Discouraged exterior cladding materials.
chevron_right
Article V
Tables of District Regulations
chevron_right
§ 5.00
Interpretation.
chevron_right
§ 5.01
Table of Use Regulations.
chevron_right
§ 5.02
Table of Accessory Use Regulations.
chevron_right
§ 5.03
Notes to Table of Use Regulations.
chevron_right
§ 5.04
Table of Dimensional Regulations.
chevron_right
§ 5.05
Notes to Table of Dimensional Regulations.
chevron_right
§ 5.06
Floodplain District.
chevron_right
§ 5.07
Affordable housing.
chevron_right
§ 5.08
Revitalization Overlay special permit (RO).
chevron_right
§ 5.09
Watertown Square Design Overlay District.
chevron_right
§ 5.10
Limited Redevelopment District (RD).
chevron_right
§ 5.11
Assisted Living Overlay District (ALOD).
chevron_right
§ 5.12
Arsenal Overlay Development District (AODD).
chevron_right
§ 5.13
Wireless telecommunications facilities.
chevron_right
§ 5.14
Religious/School Building Overlay District (R/SOD).
chevron_right
§ 5.15
Municipal reuse and development.
chevron_right
§ 5.16
Pleasant Street Corridor District (PSCD).
chevron_right
§ 5.17
Design guidelines.
chevron_right
§ 5.18
Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD).
chevron_right
Article VI
Automotive and Bicycle Parking Requirements
chevron_right
§ 6.00
Intent of requirements.
chevron_right
§ 6.01
Required off-street parking spaces.
chevron_right
§ 6.02
Location and design of off-street parking spaces.
chevron_right
§ 6.03
Required off-street loading spaces.
chevron_right
§ 6.04
Design and layout of off-street loading facilities.
chevron_right
§ 6.05
Outdoor automobile storage, new or used vehicles.
chevron_right
§ 6.06
Gasoline service stations.
chevron_right
§ 6.07
Bicycle parking.
chevron_right
Article VII
Signs and Illumination
note
chevron_right
§ 7.00
Intent and purpose.
chevron_right
§ 7.01
Definition of terms.
chevron_right
§ 7.02
Application and procedure.
chevron_right
§ 7.03
Signs in all districts.
chevron_right
§ 7.04
Signs in S-10, S-6, SC, CR, T and OSC Districts.
chevron_right
§ 7.05
Signs in R.75 and R1.2 Districts, and for residential uses in the I-3 and RMUD District.
chevron_right
§ 7.06
Signs in the NB, LB, CB, I, RMUD, and PSCD Districts.
chevron_right
§ 7.07
Sign special permit.
chevron_right
§ 7.08
Permitted illumination.
chevron_right
§ 7.09
Non-conformance.
chevron_right
§ 7.10
Watertown Square Design Overlay District.
chevron_right
§ 7.11
Hotel and motel signs.
chevron_right
§ 7.12
Exterior lighting standards.
chevron_right
§ 7.13
Exterior lighting technical submittals.
chevron_right
Article VIII
Other Regulations
chevron_right
§ 8.00
Regulation of soil removal or ledge.
chevron_right
§ 8.01
Overhanging shrubs or evergreens.
chevron_right
§ 8.02
Sale of products on public rights of way.
chevron_right
§ 8.03
Yard sales.
chevron_right
§ 8.04
Medical marijuana treatment centers and adult use marijuana establishments.
chevron_right
§ 8.05
Solar energy systems.
chevron_right
Article IX
Enforcement and Application Procedures
chevron_right
§ 9.00
Enforcement; violations.
chevron_right
§ 9.01
Building permit.
chevron_right
§ 9.02
Occupancy permit.
chevron_right
§ 9.03
Site plan review of certain residential and non-residential developments.
chevron_right
§ 9.04
Application and hearing procedures for special permits and variances.
chevron_right
§ 9.05
Special permit: conditions for approval.
chevron_right
§ 9.06
Special permit criteria for I-1 and I-2 Districts.
chevron_right
§ 9.07
Special permit criteria for I-3 District.
chevron_right
§ 9.08
Special permit criteria for I-3 District - lot size.
chevron_right
§ 9.09
Limited approval of special permit.
chevron_right
§ 9.10
Withdrawal of limited special permit.
chevron_right
§ 9.11
Special permit for temporary structures.
chevron_right
§ 9.12
Special permit approval of certain site plans.
chevron_right
§ 9.13
Lapse of special permit.
chevron_right
§ 9.14
Variances.
chevron_right
§ 9.15
Conditions for approval of a variance.
chevron_right
§ 9.16
Lapse of variance.
chevron_right
§ 9.17
Special permits and variances: effective dates.
chevron_right
§ 9.18
Special permits and variances; withdrawal without prejudice; reconsideration.
chevron_right
§ 9.19
Right of appeal.
chevron_right
§ 9.20
Amendments to zoning ordinance.
chevron_right
§ 9.21
Public hearings for amendments.
chevron_right
§ 9.22
Notice of public hearings for amendments.
chevron_right
Article X
Administrative Provisions
chevron_right
§ 10.00
Provision for Board of Appeals.
chevron_right
§ 10.01
Validity.
chevron_right
§ 10.02
Effective date.
chevron_right