Zoning Report
Taunton, Massachusetts Zoning
Taunton’s zoning code uses a conventional district structure with rural, suburban, urban, business, office, highway business, industrial, open space, and several overlay districts. The source material shows a mix of low-density residential areas, downtown and corridor commercial areas, industrial land, and newer overlay-based regulation for floodplain, aquifer protection, and transit-oriented development. Recent amendments in 2024 and 2025 indicate the city is actively updating its ordinance for state housing compliance, especially around accessory dwelling units and transit-oriented development.
Last researched April 2026
Zoning Districts in Taunton, Massachusetts
Rural Residential District (RRD)
Lowest-density residential district intended to preserve rural landscape and open space.
Allowed uses: Residential development, Accessory dwelling units allowed by right where state law applies
Suburban Residential District (SRD)
Residential district with density higher than Rural Residential and lower than Urban Residential, intended to keep an open-space character.
Allowed uses: Residential development
Urban Residential District (URD)
Residential district intended to preserve areas for residential use at higher density than suburban and rural districts.
Allowed uses: One- to three-family dwelling, Nonresidential use where allowed by ordinance
Business District (BD)
Commercial district for retail sales and service needs at city-wide and neighborhood scale, with emphasis on architecture reflecting Taunton’s historic business character.
Allowed uses: Retail sales, Service uses, Upper-floor multifamily dwelling units in commercial buildings
Central Business District (CBD)
Downtown-style district for commercial uses serving city-wide, neighborhood, and regional needs, with mixed-use upper-floor housing.
Allowed uses: Retail sales, Service uses, Upper-floor multifamily dwelling units in commercial buildings
Office District (OD)
Employment and service district intended for offices and public-serving activity that does not materially detract from nearby residential areas.
Allowed uses: Office uses, Employment activities, Public-serving services
Highway Business District (HBD)
Commercial corridor district intended to serve surrounding residential development while minimizing traffic congestion and preserving green space and visual quality along major roads.
Allowed uses: Commercial uses designed for surrounding residential demand, Mixed-use projects where allowed under updated ordinance
Industrial District (ID)
District for industrial and manufacturing uses, warehousing, distribution, and some commercial activity.
Allowed uses: Industrial uses, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Distribution, Commercial activity
Open Space and Conservancy District (OSC)
District intended for government facilities and open space preservation.
Allowed uses: Government facilities, Open space
Floodplain District (FPD) / Special Flood Hazard District (SFHD)
Overlay-style flood hazard districts intended to prevent unsafe development in flood-prone land.
Allowed uses: Underlying district uses subject to floodplain restrictions
Water and Aquifer Resource Protection District (WARPD)
Overlay district intended to protect aquifers and groundwater wells.
Allowed uses: Underlying district uses subject to aquifer protection rules
Roadway Improvement Overlay District
Overlay district intended to preserve lot value and development potential where the city has taken frontage for road widening.
Allowed uses: Underlying district uses
Recent Zoning Changes
Taunton made notable zoning updates in late 2024 and early 2025. The clearest changes in the source set relate to ADU compliance with new Massachusetts law, accessory structure setback revisions, and mixed-use/commercial preservation rules in highway business areas. The code also shows amendments to floodplain and transit-oriented development provisions, including changes through 2024.
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