Tips on Drafting Bylaws - Robert W. Ritchie, Assistant Attorney General Massachusetts General Laws - Link to the official State site - includes a very useful search engine.

Purpose of Collection

Are you looking for bylaws to address a new need in town? Or looking to update your existing regulations? Perhaps you are just curious about how other communities are handling a particular problem. It is the purpose of this bylaw collection to show "how other communities are doing it", and also to provide resources for more information on particular bylaws. CPTC strives to have every bylaw on this site reviewed by a team of planners. Some bylaws/ordinances are actual "model bylaws", applicable for broader use than the individual municipality associated with it.

Updated 6-27-06

EXAMPLE BYLAWS

Agricultural Preservation

• Agricultural Preservation District
• Right to Farm

Aquifer Protection

• Aquifer/ Water Protection Overlay District
• Groundwater Supply Protection
• Impervious Surface Control
• Zone I Conservation Restriction for Water Supply Protection
• Zone II Conservation Restriction for Water Supply Protection

Best Development Practices

• Best Development Practices Guidebook*
• Design Review Guidelines 1*
• Design Review Guidelines 2 *
• Subdivision Development Methods

Development (Miscellaneous)

• Development Growth Rate Limitation 
• Dimensional Regulations by Zoning District
• Growth Management
• Interim Overlay District
• Low Impact Development (LID)/Stormwater
• Non-Conforming Lots, Usage, Structures
• Non-Conforming Structures
• Phased Growth
• Planned Unit Development (PUD) 1
• Planned Unit Development (PUD) 2
• Phased Development
• Transit Oriented Development Zoning Overlay District
• Use Regulations

Economic Development

• Bed & Breakfast
• Planned Unit Business Development (PUBD)
• Village Style / Mixed Use Development
• Village Center - Dennis
• Village Development Overlay District

Environmental

• Brownfields: Tax Agreements
• Feeding or Baiting of Waterfowl
• Hazardous Material/ Waste Management
• Indoor Air
• Junk, Scrap, Debris
• Mercury Control
• Smoking Ban
• Stormwater Guidance for MA Municipalities with 3
  NPDES Phase II Model Stormwater Bylaws
• Stormwater Management 1
• Stormwater Management 2
• Stormwater Management 3
• Stormwater Management And Land Disturbance

Historic Preservation

• Historic Preservation Incentives
• Demolition Delay 1
• Demolition Delay 2
• Neighborhood Conservation District

Land Clearing & Grading

• Earth/ Gravel Removal, Non-Zoning
• Earth/ Gravel Removal Zoning Bylaw
• Land Clearing, Grading, Tree Protection 

Lighting / Signage / Fences

• Fences
• Outdoor Lighting 
• Outdoor Lighting 2
• Outdoor Lighting 3
• Sign Regulations

Miscellaneous

• Adult Entertainment District (non-overlay)
• Adult Entertainment District (overlay)
• Continued Care Retirement Community
• Lowell Zoning Code
• Newsracks

Open Space / Conservation

• Cluster Development 1
• Cluster Development 2
• Cluster Development 3
• Cluster Subdivision
• Cluster Subdivision Guidelines
• Conservation Subdivision Design Project Booklet*
• Corridor Overlay District
• EOEA Sample Conservation Restriction*
• Floodplain Development District
• Floodplain District 1
• Floodplain. District 2
• Open Space Preservation (Cluster) Zoning (OSPZ)
• Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) 1
• Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) 2
• Ridgeline/ Hillside District
• Subdivision Conservation
• Subdivision Open Space
• Transfer of Development Rights
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Acton
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Plymouth
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Northampton
• Uplands Protection
• Wetlands and Wildlife Habitat
• Wetlands Protection 1
• Wetlands Protection 2
• Wetlands Protection 3
• Wetlands Protection District

Process

• Appeals, Variances and Special Permits
• Development Agreement Authority
• Form Based Code
• Impact Fees
• Review Fees
• Site Plan Review 1
• Site Plan Review 2
• Site Plan Review 3
• Special Permits
• Special Permit Granting Authority

Residential Development / Housing

• Accessory Use
• Accessory Dwellings
• Accessory Dwellings (permitting pre-existing)
• Assisted Living Facilities and Affordable Housing
• Common Driveways 1
• Common Driveways 2
• Common Driveways 3
• Common Driveways 4
• Flexible Development Requirements
• Flexible Residential Development 1
• Flexible Residential Development 2
• Great Estate Preservation Development
• Inclusionary Housing Bylaw
• Inclusionary Housing Policies
• Lot Regularity Requirements
• Multi-Family Special Permit
• Residential Inclusionary Development
• Townhouse Development
• Zoning for Inclusionary Housing

Technology

• Wireless Overlay District
• Wireless Telecom Facilities
• Wireless Telecom Facilities 2
• Wireless Telecom Towers

Transportation

• Bicycle Parking 1
• Bicycle Parking 2
• Motorscooters
• Parking Regulations
• Roadway / Access Management
• Scenic Roads 1
• Scenic Roads 2
• Transportation Demand Management

WaterSupply

• Water System Conservation

* Not a Bylaw

Please keep in mind that the example bylaws have been written in response to a specific circumstance and set of needs. The given needs of any two communities will differ, and these needs should be assessed before any bylaw or regulation is adopted. These bylaws are intended for guidance purposes alone and will need to be adapted in order to fit any new situation; they should not be simply duplicated. CPTC also encourages municipalities to seek legal counsel before adopting any bylaw or regulation.

Web Sites with Links to More Bylaws

Cape Cod Commission Model Bylaws

Ordinance.com - a private publisher of land use regulations.

SRPEDD - The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District has a Bylaw Library

Other Bylaw Assistance

• Massachusetts Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards
  The MA Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards does not have a web site but is an excellent resource for bylaws and other planning and zoning information and can be contacted by email or phone. Contact Information:
  MA Federation
  P.O BOX 387, Leicester 01524
  Phone: (508) 754-3068