Zoning Report
Springfield, MA Zoning
Springfield’s zoning is governed by a citywide zoning ordinance originally enacted in 2013 and available on the city planning website as amended through December 16, 2025. The ordinance organizes regulation into base districts, use tables, dimensional standards, special use regulations, site regulations, overlay districts, signs, nonconforming rules, and tiered review procedures. Springfield uses a tiered entitlement system that routes projects to administrative site plan review, Planning Board site plan review, or City Council special permit review depending on the use and scale of development.
Last researched April 2026
Zoning Districts in Springfield, MA
Residential A-1
Lowest-density residential district focused on single-family homes.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling
Residential A
Low-density residential district for single-family homes on somewhat smaller lots than A-1.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling
Residential B
Moderate-density residential district allowing single-family and two-family housing.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling
Residential B-1
Higher-density neighborhood residential district that adds townhouse options and smaller-lot housing.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, townhouse
Residential C
Urban residential district allowing a wider range of multifamily housing forms.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, townhouse, apartment building
Residential C-1 Residential Project District
Residential project district intended for larger planned residential development formats.
Allowed uses: single-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, townhouse, apartment building
Residential C-2 High-Rise Apartment District
High-density apartment district for larger multifamily buildings.
Allowed uses: townhouse, apartment building
Office A Residence-Office
Office and residential-office transition district listed in the ordinance district schedule.
Commercial A Neighborhood Commercial
Neighborhood-scale commercial district intended to serve nearby residents and walkable business areas.
Business A General Business
General business district for a broader mix of commercial activity.
Business B Service Business
Service-oriented commercial district that, according to 2026 reporting on a proposed rezoning, can accommodate a variety of multifamily and mixed-use development along with auto repair and civic uses.
Allowed uses: variety of multifamily housing, mixed-use buildings, home businesses, auto repair, courthouse, according to 2026 news report describing the district
Business C Central Business
Downtown central business district.
Industrial Park
Industrial district listed in the ordinance for planned industrial development.
Industrial A
General industrial district. A 2026 proposed downtown rezoning article notes that Industrial A does not allow residential uses and historically tracked rail-oriented industrial land.
Recent Zoning Changes
The city’s official zoning ordinance posted by Springfield is current through December 16, 2025, indicating multiple adopted amendments since the 2013 enactment. A major recent adopted change was Springfield’s January 2025 ADU ordinance update responding to the new state by-right ADU law. A separate northeast downtown rezoning from Industrial A to Business B was reported in February 2026 as recommended by the Planning Board and headed to City Council, so that item should be treated as pending rather than current law based on the provided sources.
Setbacks, Lot Size & Height Limits in Springfield, MA
Springfield’s Article 5 sets district-specific dimensional and intensity standards covering lot area, frontage, lot width, yards, height, open space, and coverage. The supplied materials provide a usable excerpt for residential districts, but business and industrial table values were not fully captured. Apartment buildings are also subject to usable open space standards under Article 5.5, and where both feet and story limits apply the more restrictive rule controls unless stated otherwise.
| District | Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Residential A-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 10,000 square feet |
| Residential A | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 7,500 square feet |
| Residential B | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 6,000 square feet |
| Residential B | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - two-family dwelling | 4,000 square feet |
| Residential B-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 4,500 square feet — Table includes footnote marker in excerpt. |
| Residential B-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - two-family dwelling | 3,000 square feet — Table includes footnote marker in excerpt. |
| Residential B-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - townhouse | 2,500 square feet |
| Residential C | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 4,500 square feet |
| Residential C | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - two-family dwelling | 3,000 square feet |
| Residential C | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - townhouse | 2,000 square feet |
| Residential C | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - apartment building, units with 2 or more bedrooms | 2,000 square feet |
| Residential C | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - apartment building, units with less than 2 bedrooms | 1,400 square feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - single-family dwelling | 5,000 square feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - two-family dwelling | 4,000 square feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - townhouse | 2,500 square feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - apartment building, units with 2 or more bedrooms | 5,000 square feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - apartment building, units with less than 2 bedrooms | 4,000 square feet |
| Residential C-2 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - townhouse | 2,000 square feet |
| Residential C-2 | minimum lot area per dwelling unit - apartment building | 580 square feet — Table excerpt shows "580" for both bedroom categories. |
| Residential A-1 | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential A | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential B | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential B | minimum frontage - two-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential B-1 | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 45 feet |
| Residential B-1 | minimum frontage - two-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential B-1 | minimum frontage - townhouse | 25 feet |
| Residential C | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 45 feet |
| Residential C | minimum frontage - two-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential C | minimum frontage - townhouse | 25 feet |
| Residential C | minimum frontage - apartment building | 50 feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum frontage - single-family dwelling | 30 feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum frontage - two-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum frontage - townhouse | 25 feet |
| Residential C-1 | minimum frontage - apartment building | 30 feet |
| Residential C-2 | minimum frontage - townhouse | 25 feet |
| Residential C-2 | minimum frontage - apartment building | 25 feet |
| Residential A-1 | minimum lot width at building line - single-family dwelling | 100 feet — Extracted from table text. |
| Residential A | minimum lot width at building line - single-family dwelling | 75 feet |
| Residential B | minimum lot width at building line - single-family dwelling | 50 feet |
| Residential B | minimum lot width at building line - two-family dwelling | 50 feet |
ADU, Rental & Special Use Rules in Springfield, MA
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
ADUs are allowed under Massachusetts’ by-right ADU law in single-family zoning districts, and Springfield adopted local regulations in January 2025 to govern them. Springfield requires administrative site plan review and compliance with underlying zoning regulations.
- Must be on the same lot as a principal dwelling
- Must maintain a separate entrance either directly from outside or through a shared entry hall or corridor
- Must be no larger than half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller
- Must include sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities
- Must meet building code and underlying zoning requirements
Home Based Business
Springfield’s ordinance contains a dedicated section for home based business in Article 4. The supplied sources do not provide the detailed standards, but the overlay article states that certain residential-to-commercial conversions do not need Tier 3 review if the commercial activity qualifies as a home based business.
- Verify detailed standards directly in Article 4.5 Home Based Business
Wireless Communications Facilities
Springfield has a dedicated special use regulation section for wireless communications facilities in Article 6.
- Verify detailed standards directly in Article 6.1
Adult Entertainment
Springfield has a dedicated special use regulation section for adult entertainment in Article 6.
- Verify detailed standards directly in Article 6.2
- Adult use street list is separately posted by the city
Overlay Districts in Springfield, MA
Neighborhood Commercial Design Overlay District
Design-focused overlay intended to preserve and enhance neighborhood character in commercial and mixed-use areas with traditional urban character and architecture.
West Columbus Urban Renewal District Overlay
Overlay district listed in Springfield’s zoning materials for the West Columbus urban renewal area.
Regional Shopping Center Overlay District
Overlay district listed in Springfield’s zoning materials for regional shopping center areas.
Floodplain Overlay District
Overlay district covering special flood hazard areas in the city. The city’s overlay article states the floodplain district is established as an overlay district, and state/federal flood map resources identify FEMA flood hazard mapping as the regulatory base.
Casino Overlay District
Overlay district listed in Springfield’s zoning materials for casino-related areas.
Smart Growth District [Reserved]
Reserved overlay district referenced in the ordinance but not active in the provided materials.
Springfield, MA Zoning FAQ
Are ADUs allowed in Springfield, MA?
ADUs are allowed under Massachusetts’ by-right ADU law in single-family zoning districts, and Springfield adopted local regulations in January 2025 to govern them. Springfield requires administrative site plan review and compliance with underlying zoning regulations.
What are the setback requirements in Springfield, MA?
Setbacks vary by district. Examples — Residential A-1: minimum 25 feet / maximum 30 feet; Residential A: minimum 25 feet / maximum 30 feet; Residential B: minimum 15 feet / maximum 20 feet; Residential B-1: minimum 10 feet / maximum 20 feet. Always confirm the exact yard requirements for your district with Springfield, MA.
What is the minimum lot size in Springfield, MA?
Minimum lot size depends on the zoning district — Residential A-1: 10,000 square feet; Residential A: 7,500 square feet; Residential B: 6,000 square feet; Residential B: 4,000 square feet.
What zoning districts are in Springfield, MA?
Springfield, MA includes districts such as Residential A-1, Residential A, Residential B, Residential B-1, Residential C, Residential C-1 Residential Project District, Residential C-2 High-Rise Apartment District, Office A Residence-Office.
Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Springfield, MA?
The source set clearly identifies floodplain regulation and indicates wetlands mapping is available through the city GIS. Floodplain constraints are directly embedded in zoning through the Floodplain Overlay District.
Have there been recent zoning changes in Springfield, MA?
The city’s official zoning ordinance posted by Springfield is current through December 16, 2025, indicating multiple adopted amendments since the 2013 enactment. A major recent adopted change was Springfield’s January 2025 ADU ordinance update responding to the new state by-right ADU law.
Common questions about Springfield, MA zoning
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- ADU Zoning Laws Explained→
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- What Is a Nonconforming Use?→
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Deal-fit, approval path & risk flags for Springfield, MA
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- [PDF] Zoning Ordinance - Springfield-MA.gov — Primary current-law source confirming ordinance structure and that the official zoning ordinance is amended through December 16, 2025.
- Zoning Ordinances - Springfield-MA.gov — Official index page for the city’s zoning ordinance articles and amendment dates; helped confirm current ordinance organization and article-level sources.
- [PDF] Article 5 Dimensional and Intensity Regulations - Springfield-MA.gov — Primary source for residential dimensional standards including lot area, frontage, width, and yard requirements.
- [PDF] Article 8 Overlay Districts - Springfield-MA.gov — Primary source for overlay district framework and detailed standards for the Neighborhood Commercial Design Overlay District.
- [PDF] Article 12 Special Permit and Site Plan Reviews - Springfield-MA.gov — Primary source for Springfield’s tiered review system, screening process, consultant review costs, coordination of reviews, and site plan/special permit procedures.
- [PDF] Article 10 Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots — Primary source for continuation, expansion, abandonment, re-establishment, and casualty restoration rules for nonconforming uses and structures.
- GIS Maps - Springfield WebGIS — Confirmed public GIS access to zoning, zoning overlay districts, historic districts, wetlands, and other parcel-level map layers.
- Council approves ADU zoning regulations for Springfield — Reported Springfield’s January 2025 adoption of local ADU rules, including administrative site plan review and consistency with underlying zoning.
- Accessory Dwelling Units - Mass.gov — Official state guidance on by-right ADUs, including size limits, parking limitations, and restrictions municipalities may or may not impose.
- Springfield Planning Board recommends zone change to northeast ... — Reported a 2026 proposed rezoning from Industrial A to Business B in northeast downtown and described the practical use implications of each district.
- Zoning Board of Appeals: Code Enforcement, City of Springfield, MA — Official source for ZBA composition, monthly schedule, quorum, and hearing logistics.
- [PDF] Rules of the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals — Detailed ZBA hearing procedures, submission requirements, vote threshold, and continuance rules.
This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Springfield, MA officials before making decisions.