ZONING BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN OF BILLERICA THESE BY-LAWS WERE REWRITTEN BY COMMITTEE APPOINTED UNDER SECTION 7-9-B OF THE 1979 CHARTER AS REVISED IN 2017. RICHARD SCANLON – CHAIRMAN WALLACE LAFAYETTE – VICE-CHAIRMAN DENISE SALEMME – SECRETARY ANUPAM WALI CHRIS REILLY DEAN SANTORO JOHN BURROWS JENNIFER CEDRONE PETER DION MARK LALUMIERE ROB ANDERSON (Updated through the Annual Fall Town Meeting of October, 2017.) TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1. ENACTMENT, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES A. ENACTMENT…………………………………………………… 1.1 B. PURPOSE………………………………………………………... 1.1 C. OBJECTIVES……………………………………………………. 1.1 SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS A. PURPOSE OF DEFINITIONS………………………………….. 2.1 B. RULES OF INTERPRETATION………………………………. 2.1 C. DEFINITIONS…………………………………………………. 2.1 SECTION 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS A. PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING DISTRICTS…………………. 3.1 1. Main Districts………………………………………….. 3.1 2. Special Districts………………………………………… 3.1 3. Overlay Districts……………………………………….. 3.1 SECTION 4. ZONING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES A. PURPOSE OF ZONING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES…………... 4.1 B. DETERMINING ZONING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES………... 4.1 SECTION 5. REGULATION OF USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES A. PURPOSE……………………………………………………….…. 5.1 B. IN GENERAL……………………………………………….……… 5.1 C. USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES PERMITTED IN THE MAIN ZONING DISTRICTS……………………………… 5.1 1. VILLAGE RESIDENCE DISTRICT………………….… 5.1 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………. 5.1 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………. 5.2 Home Occupation…………………………………. 5.2 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………. 5.2 Garaging of Commercial Vehicles………………… 5.2 Greenhouse………………………………………… 5.2 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.2 GOVERNMENTAL USES………………………………... 5.2 PHILANTHROPIC USES…………………………………. 5.3 RECREATIONAL USES………………………………….. 5.3 Golf Course………………………………………… 5.3 Outdoor Recreation………………………………… 5.3 Riding Stable………………………………………. 5.3 Swimming Pool, Non-Accessory………………….. 5.3 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.4 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.4 Affordable Housing Unit on Undersized Lot……… 5.4 Assisted Living Residence………………………… 5.5 In-law Apartment…………………………………. 5.5 Nursing Home…………………………………….. 5.5 Rental of Five or More Rooms……………………. 5.5 Storage of More Than One Vehicle or Trailer…….. 5.6 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.6 Cemetery…………………………………………… 5.6 UTILITY USES……………………………………………… 5.6 Above-Ground Utilities, Non-Municipal…………... 5.6 Earth Migration Greater Than 500 Cubic Yards…… 5.6 2. NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENCE DISTRICT………….. 5.7 3. RURAL RESIDENCE DISTRICT……………………….. 5.7 i 4. MULTI FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT ……………. 5.8 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.8 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………… 5.8 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………… 5.8 Garaging of Commercial Vehicles………………… 5.8 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.8 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.8 PHILANTHROPIC USES…………………………………... 5.8 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.8 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.9 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.9 Multi-Family Residence…………………………… 5.9 Two-Family Dwelling ………………….…………. 5.11 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.11 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.11 5. NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT…..………… 5.12 AGRICULTURAL USES………………………………….. 5.12 BUSINESS USES………………………………………….. 5.12 Accessory Uses to Scientific Development………. 5.12 Funeral Home……………………………………... 5.12 Research Facility………………………………….. 5.12 COMMERCIAL USES ………………………………….. 5.12 Christmas Tree Sales ………………………………. 5.12 Garaging of Commercial Vehicles…………………. 5.12 Motel or Hotel……………………………………… 5.13 Restaurant …………………………………………. 5.13 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.13 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.13 PHILANTHROPIC USES………………………………….. 5.13 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.13 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.14 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.14 SERVICE USES………………………………………….… 5.14 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.14 6. GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT……..…………………………. 5.15 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.15 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………… 5.15 Dog Kennel for 3 or More Dogs…………………… 5.15 Dog Daycare ………………………………………. 5.15 Dog Training ………………………………………. 5.15 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………… 5.15 Auto Parking..……………………………………… 5.16 Auto Repair………………………………………… 5.16 Auto Sales………………………………………….. 5.16 Auto Service……………………………………….. 5.16 Auto Washing……………………………………… 5.16 Drive-Up and Drive-Through Restaurant………… 5.16 Fully Automated Business………………………… 5.16 Garden Shop………………………………………. 5.16 Open Air Sales…………………………………….. 5.17 Supermarket……………………………………….. 5.17 Fast Order Food Establishment …………………… 5.17 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………….………………. 5.17 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.17 ii INDUSTRIAL USES……………………………………….. 5.17 Light Manufacturing ……………………………… 5.17 Wholesale Use …………………………………… 5.18 PHILANTHROPIC USES………………………………….. 5.18 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.18 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.18 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.18 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.18 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.18 7. COMMERCIAL DISTRICT…………………………………….… 5.19 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.19 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………… 5.19 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………… 5.19 Truck Body Work…………………………………. 5.19 Truck Leasing……………………………………… 5.19 Truck Repair……………………………………….. 5.19 Truck Sales………………………………………… 5.20 Truck Service………………………………………. 5.20 Fast Food Establishment …………………………… 5.20 EDUCATIONAL USES………………………………….…. 5.20 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.20 INDUSTRIAL USES……………………………………….. 5.20 PHILANTHROPIC USES………………………………….. 5.20 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.20 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.20 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.20 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.21 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.21 8. INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT………………………………………..… 5.22 AGRICULTURAL USES………………………………….. 5.22 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………... 5.22 Bank……………………………………………….. 5.22 Dog Daycare ………………………………………. 5.22 Dog Training ………………………………………. 5.22 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………… 5.22 Contractor’s Yard………………………………….. 5.23 Fully Automated Business………………………… 5.23 Motel or Hotel……………………………………… 5.23 Repair Shop………………………………………… 5.23 Restaurant …………………………………………. 5.23 Retail Store ………………………………………… 5.23 Fast-Order Food Establishment ……………………. 5.23 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.23 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.23 INDUSTRIAL USES………………………………………... 5.23 Accessory Retail and Automotive Services………... 5.23 Automotive Sales…………………………………... 5.23 Automotive Services ………………………………. 5.24 Wholesale services………………………………... 5.24 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.24 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.24 RESIDENTIAL USES………………………………………. 5.24 SERVICE USES…………………………………………….. 5.24 UTILITY USES……………………………………………... 5.24 iii D. USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES PERMITTED IN THE SPECIAL ZONING DISTRICTS………………………… 5.25 1. REFUSE TRANSFER STATION SPECIALTY DISTRICT………………………………………………….. 5.25 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.25 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.25 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.25 INDUSTRIAL USES……………………………………….. 5.25 Private Sewage Treatment Plant…………………… 5.25 Refuse Transfer Station………………….. 5.25 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.26 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.26 RESIDENTIAL USES………………………………………. 5.26 SERVICE USES…………………………………………….. 5.26 UTILITY USES……………………………………………… 5.26 2. PRIVATE & PUBLIC DUMPING GROUND DISTRICT………………………………………………….. 5.27 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.27 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.27 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.27 INDUSTRIAL USES……………………………………….. 5.27 Refuse Composting Plant ………………….….. 5.27 Refuse Incinerator…………………………………. 5.27 Residual Waste Storage……………………………. 5.27 Waste Treatment Plant……………………………... 5.27 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.27 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.28 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.28 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.28 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.28 3. ALCOHOL & DRUG REHABILITATION HOSPITAL DISTRICT…………………………………………………. 5.28 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.28 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.28 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………………. 5.28 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.28 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………………. 5.28 RESIDENTIAL USES……………………………………… 5.29 SERVICE USES……………………………………………. 5.29 Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation Hospital………….. 5.29 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.29 4. COMPOSTING DISTRICT…………………………….… 5.30 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.30 EDUCATIONAL USES…………………………………….. 5.30 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………….……………………. 5.30 INDUSTRIAL USES………………………………………... 5.30 Composting Facilities……………………………… 5.30 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.30 RELIGIOUS USES………………………………………….. 5.30 RESIDENTIAL USES ……………………………………… 5.31 SERVICE USES…………………………………………….. 5.31 UTILITY USES…………………………………………….. 5.31 5. ADULT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT……………….. 5.32 AGRICULTURAL USES…………………………………… 5.32 BUSINESS USES…………………………………………… 5.32 COMMERCIAL USES……………………………………… 5.32 iv ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT…...……. 5.32 EDUCATIONAL USES………………………………….…. 5.32 GOVERNMENTAL USES…………………………...….…. 5.32 INDUSTRIAL USES…………………………………….….. 5.32 PHILANTHROPIC USES…………………………………... 5.33 RECREATIONAL USES…………………………………… 5.33 RELIGIOUS USES…………………………………….……. 5.33 RESIDENTIAL USES………………………………………. 5.33 SERVICES USES …………………………………………... 5.33 UTILITY USES……………………………………………... 5.33 E. USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES PERMITTED IN THE OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS……………………………... 5.34 1. FLOOD PLAIN OVERLAY DISTRICT…………………… 5.34 2. HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT………………………… 5.34 3. RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER OVERLAY DISTRICT……….. 5.34 Cluster Development……………………………………….... 5.34 4. TOWNHOUSE OVERLAY DISTRICT………………….…. 5.37 5. ELDERLY HOUSING OVERLAY DISTRICT…………….. 5.40 6. SELF-SERVICE OVERLAY DISTRICT…………………… 5.43 7. MILL CONVERSION AND REUSE OVERLAY DISTRICT (MCROD) ………………………………………. 5.45 8. MEDICAL MARIJUANA