Source edition · SOURCE COVER AND CONTENTS
TOWN OF CANTON ZONING BY-LAWs 2026 Amended through STM 2025 CANTON ZONING BY-LAWS TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1.0 PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY 1.1 TITLE 1 1.2 PURPOSE 1 1.3 AUTHORITY 1 1.4 APPLICABILITY 1 1.4.1 Applicability; Nonconformities 1 1.4.2 Commencement of Construction or Operation 2 1.5 OTHER LAWS 2 1.6 AMENDMENT 2 1.6.1 Town Meeting 2 1.6.2 Public Hearing 2 1.6.3 Two Years 2 1.6.4 Petition to Amend 2 1.7 SEVERABILITY 3 SECTION 2.0 DISTRICTS 2.1 ESTABLISHMENT 4 2.2 OVERLAY AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS 4 2.3 ZONING MAP 5 2.4 BOUNDARIES OF DISTRICTS 5 2.4.1 Property Line 5 2.4.2 Street, Rail or Utility Line 5 2.4.3 Parallel 5 2.4.4 Other 5 2.5 LOTS IN MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT 5 SECTION 3.0 USE REGULATIONS 3.1 PRINCIPAL USES 6 3.1.1 General 6 3.1.2 Symbols 6 3.1.3 If Classified Under More than One Use 6 3.1.4 Table of Use Regulations 6 3.2 ACCESSORY USES 6 3.2.1 General 6 3.2.2 Home Occupation; Non-intensive 6 3.2.3 Home Occupation; Intensive 7 3.2.4 Light Manufacturing in the Business District 7 i 3.2.5 Accessory Uses in the Limited Industrial District 8 3.2.6 Accessory Scientific Uses 8 3.3 TEMPORARY USES 8 SECTION 4.0 DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS 4.1 GENERAL 8 4.1.1 Compliance Required 8 4.1.2 Reduction of Occupied Lots 8 4.1.3 Limitation on Dwellings 9 4.1.4 Table of Dimensional Requirements – Residence Districts 9 4.1.5 Table of Dimensional Requirements – Nonresidential Districts 10 4.1.6 Notes to Tables of Dimensional Requirements 10 4.2 SPECIAL REGULATIONS 12 4.2.1 Setbacks 12 4.2.2 Projections 13 4.2.3 Corner Clearance 13 4.2.4 Corner Lots 13 4.2.5 Swimming Pools 13 4.2.6 Hotel or Motel in the LI District 13 4.2.7 In-patient Medical Facilities: Hospitals, Long-term care Facilities, or Substance Abuse Detoxification or Treatment Centers 13 4.2.8 Out-patient Only Medical Facilities: Healthcare Facilities/Clinics or Out-patient Substance Abuse Detoxification or Treatment Centers 15 4.2.9 Retaining Walls Along Scenic Ways 17 4.3 HEIGHT REGULATIONS 17 4.3.1 Maximum Height of Buildings 17 4.3.2 Height Determination of Structures and Buildings 17 4.3.3 Exception for Structures Not Used for Human Occupancy 17 4.3.4 Exception for LI or I Districts 17 4.3.5 Additional Height Limitation Where Side Yard Exception 18 4.3.6 Exception for Residence Districts 18 4.3.7 Exception for Central Business District 18 SECTION 5.0 NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES 5.1 APPLICABILITY 20 5.2 NONCONFORMING USES 20 5.3 NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES 20 5.4 VARIANCE REQUIRED 20 5.5 NONCONFORMING SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES 21 5.5.1 Insufficient Area 21 5.5.2 Insufficient Frontage 21 5.5.3 Other Encroachment 21 5.5.4 Exceptions Do Not Apply 21 ii 5.6 ABANDONMENT OR NON-USE 21 5.7 RECONSTRUCTION AFTER CATASTROPHE OR DEMOLITION 21 5.8 REVERSION TO NON-CONFORMITY 22 SECTION 6.0 GENERAL REGULATIONS 6.1 OFF-STREET PARKING 23 6.1.1 Parking Requirements in All Districts 23 6.1.2 Reduced Minimum Parking Requirements 25 6.1.3 Exceptions 27 6.1.4 Changes in Requirements 27 6.1.5 Location of Facilities 27 6.1.6 General Design 28 6.1.7 Spaces 28 6.1.8 Aisles 29 6.1.9 Maintenance 29 6.1.10 Use for Parking Only 29 6.1.11 Landscaping; Parking Areas with Twenty or More Spaces 29 6.1.12 Parking Areas with Fifty or More Spaces 30 6.1.13 Access Drives 30 6.1.14 Parking Garages 30 6.1.15 Special Permit 30 6.1.16 Maximum Parking Ratio 30 6.7.17 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Spaces 31 6.2 LOADING AREAS 32 6.2.1 General 32 6.2.2 Requirements 32 6.2.3 Special Permit 32 6.3 SIGNS 32 6.3.1 Purpose 32 6.3.2 Administration and Enforcement 33 6.3.3 Permits 33 6.3.4 Exceptions 33 6.3.5 Public Announcements 33 6.3.6 Appeals 34 6.3.7 Signs in Residential Districts 34 6.3.8 Business, Limited Industrial and Industrial Areas 34 6.3.9 Special Requirements 37 6.3.10 Non-Accessory Signs 38 6.3.11 Nonconforming Signs 39 6.3.12 Projecting Accessory Sign or Canopy/Awning Accessory Signs 39 6.3.13 Special Permit 40 6.4 LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING 40 6.4.1 Purpose 40 iii 6.4.2 Applicability 40 6.4.3 Maintenance of Landscape Area 40 6.4.4 Landscape Procedures and Standards 40 6.4.5 Fencing 40 6.4.6 Retaining Walls 41 6.4.7 Berms 41 6.4.8 Unsightly Uses and Areas 41 6.4.9 Maintenance 41 6.4.10 Special Permit 41 6.5 ENCLOSURE 41 6.5.1 Business and Limited Industrial District 41 6.5.2 Industrial District 42 6.5.3 Junk in Nonresidential Districts 42 6.6 GREENBELTS IN LIMITED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS 6.6.1 General 42 6.7 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 43 6.7.1 General 43 6.7.2 Lighting 43 6.7.3 Noise 44 6.7.4 Stormwater Management 45 6.7.5 Site Development Standards 46 6.7.6 Pedestrian and Vehicular Access; Traffic Management 48 6.7.7 Aesthetics 53 6.7.8 Sanitary Sewer System 54 6.7.9 Water Distribution and Fire Protection System 54 6.7.10 Private Utilities 55 6.7.11 Site Security 55 6.7.12 Fiscal Analysis 55 6.7.13 Exemptions 56 6.7.14 Waiver of Standards 56 6.8 GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR LIMITED INDUSTRIAL (C) DISTRICT 6.8.1 Purpose 56 6.8.2 Applicability 56 6.8.3 Special Permits and Site Plan Review and Approval 57 6.8.4 Uses 57 6.8.5 Density and Dimensional Requirements 58 6.8.6 Parking, Loading and Driveway Requirements 59 6.8.7 Signs and Advertising Devises 59 SECTION 7.0 SPECIAL REGULATIONS 7.1 ADULT ENTERTAINMENT 60 7.1.1 Purpose 60 7.1.2 Applicability 60 iv 7.1.3 Special Permit 60 7.1.4 Requirements 61 7.1.5 Conditions 61 7.1.6 Lapse 61 7.2 NOT USED 61 7.3 MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL STATIONS AND OTHER SERVICES 62 7.3.1 General 62 7.3.2 Requirements 62 7.4 EARTH REMOVAL 63 7.4.1 Applicability 63 7.4.2 Definitions 63 7.4.3 Prohibition 63 7.4.4 Special Permit Required 63 7.4.5 Submittal Requirements 64 7.4.6 Special Exemptions 64 7.4.7 Waiver 65 7.4.8 Exemptions for Existing Lawful Operations 65 7.4.9 Application 66 7.4.10 Other Boards 66 7.4.11 Conditions of Permit 66 7.4.12 Criteria 67 7.5 TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS 68 7.5.1 Purpose 68 7.5.2 Definitions 68 7.5.3 Development of Towers 68 7.5.4 Application 69 7.5.5 Setbacks 71 7.5.6 Structural Requirements 71 7.5.7 Separation or Buffer Requirements 71 7.5.8 Towers; Height 72 7.5.9 Method of Determining Tower Height 72 7.5.10 Illumination 72 7.5.11 Exterior Finish 73 7.5.12 Landscaping, Fencing and Signs 73 7.5.13 Access 73 7.5.14 Stealth Design 73 7.5.15 Telecommunications Facilities on Antenna Support Structures 73 7.5.16 Modification of Pre-Existing Towers 74 7.5.17 Nonconforming Structures 74 7.5.18 Certifications and Inspections 75 7.5.19 Maintenance 75 7.5.20 Criteria for Site Plan Approval and Special Permits 75 7.5.21 Abandonment 76 7.6 WIND ENERGY 77 7.6.1 Purpose 77 v 7.6.2 Applicability 77 7.6.3 Definitions 78 7.6.4 Special Permit Required 78 7.6.5 Compliance with Laws, Ordinances and Regulations 78 7.6.6 Application Process and Requirements 78 7.6.7 Site Control 79 7.6.8 Height 79 7.6.9 Setbacks 79 7.6.10 Design Standards 79 7.6.11 Safety, Aesthetic and Environmental Standards 80 7.6.12 Decision 81 7.6.13 Monitoring and Maintenance 81 7.6.14 Modifications 82 7.6.15 Decommissioning 82 7.6.16 Abandonment 82 7.6.17 Financial Surety 82 7.6.18 Term of Special Permit 83 7.7 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERED MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES 83 7.7.1 Purposes 83 7.7.2 Applicability 83 7.7.3 Definitions 84 7.7.4 Eligible Locations for Medical Marijuana Facilities 84 7.7.5 General Requirements and Conditions for all Registered Marijuana Dispensaries 84 7.7.6 Special Permit Requirements 85 7.7.7 Abandonment or Discontinuance of Use 86 7.7.8 Hardship Cultivation of Marijuana 87 SECTION 8.0 SPECIAL RESIDENTIAL REGULATIONS 8.1 ACCESSORY APARTMENT IN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING 88 8.1.1 Purpose 88 8.1.2 Limitations on Use 88 8.1.3 Not Used 88 8.1.4 Exterior Appearance of a Dwelling with an ADU 88 8.1.5 Dimensional Requirements 89 8.1.6 Parking 89 8.1.7 Severability 89 8.2 MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS 90 8.2.1 General 90 8.2.2 Requirements 90 8.3 BOARDING OR LODGING HOUSE 91 8.3.1 General 91 8.3.2 Requirements 91 8.4 CONVERSION OF CERTAIN SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS 91 vi 8.4.1 General 91 8.4.2 Requirements 91 8.5 NOT USED 92 8.6 FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT 92 8.6.1 Purpose 92 8.6.2 Applicability 92 8.6.3 Definitions 92 8.6.4 Master Plan and Report 92 8.6.5 Site Plans 92 8.6.6 Procedures 92 8.6.7 Contents of Application 93 8.6.8 Standards 94 8.6.9 Common Open Land 94 8.6.10 Conveyance of Common Open Land 95 8.6.11 Decision 95 8.6.12 Relation to Subdivision Control Act 97 8.7 ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES 97 8.7.1 General 97 8.7.2 Requirement 98 8.7.3 Dimensional Regulations 98 8.7.4 Landscaping and Buffering Requirements 99 8.7.5 Accessory Uses 99 8.7.6 Non-Residential Uses 99 8.7.7 Public Transportation 100 8.7.8 Decision 100 8.8 MIXED-USE 100 8.8.1 Purpose 100 8.8.2 Definitions 100 8.8.3 Applicability 101 8.8.4 Use Regulations, Principle Structures 101 8.8.5 Use Regulations, Back-lot Structures 103 8.8.6 Dimensional Regulations 103 8.8.7 Site Planning 103 8.8.8 Moderate Income Units 104 8.8.9 Severability 104 SECTION 9.0 SPECIAL DISTRICTS 9.1 FLOOD PLAIN OVERLAY DISTRICT 104 9.1.1 Purpose 104 9.1.2 Definitions 105 9.1.3 Scope of Authority 107 9.1.4 Applicability 107 9.1.5 Designation of Community Floodplain Administrator 108 9.1.6 Floodway Encroachment 108 vii 9.1.7 Unnumbered Zones 108 9.1.8 Drainage Requirements 108 9.1.9 Subdivision Proposals 108 9.1.10 Recreation Vehicles 109 9.1.11 Watercourse Alterations or Relocations in Riverine Areas 109 9.1.12 Requirement to Submit New Technical Data 109 9.1.13 Variances to Building Code Floodplain Standards 109 9.1.14 Variances 109 9.1.15 Abrogation and Greater Restriction 110 9.1.16 Disclaimer of Liability 110 9.1.17 Severability 110 9.2 GROUNDWATER PROTECTION OVERLAY DISTRICT 110 9.2.1 Purpose 110 9.2.2 Overlay District 110 9.2.3 Establishment and Delineation of the GPOD 111 9.2.4 Permitted Uses 111 9.2.5 Prohibited Uses 111 9.2.6 Uses and Activities Requiring a Special Permit 113 9.2.7 Procedures for Issuance of Special Permit 114 9.2.8 Required Site Plan 114 9.2.9 Review by Town Officials 115 9.2.10 Decision 116 9.2.11 Violations 116 9.2.12 Regulations 117 9.2.13 Fees 117 9.3 NOT USED 117 9.4 NOT USED 117 9.5 NOT USED 117 9.6 NOT USED 117 9.7 LARGE SCALE GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION OVERLAY DISTRICT 117 9.7.1 Purpose 117 9.7.2 Overlay District 117 9.7.3 Applicability 118 9.7.4 Expedited Permitting 118 9.7.5 Definitions 118 9.7.6 General Requirements 118 9.7.7 Design Standards 121 9.7.8 Safety and Environmental Standards 122 9.7.9 Monitoring and Maintenance 122 9.7.10 Abandonment and Decommissioning 122 9.8 NOT USED 123 9.9 NOT USED 123 9.10 Canton Junction Overlay District 124 9.10.1 Purpose 124 viii 9.10.2 Definitions 124 9.10.3 Zoning Map and Regulation Plan 125 9.10.4 Scope of Authority 125 9.10.5 Allowed Use 125 9.10.6 Dimensional Requirements 125 9.10.7 Parking 126 9.10.8 Affordability Requirements 126 9.10.9 General Development Standard 127 9.10.10 Common Open Land Requirements 129 9.10.11 Site Plan Review 130 9.10.12 Severability 131 SECTION 10.0 ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES 10.1 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 131 10.1.1 Building Commissioner 131 10.1.2 Enforcement 131 10.1.3 Penalty 131 10.1.4 Criminal Complaint 131 10.1.5 Noncriminal Disposition 132 10.2 ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 132 10.2.1 Establishment 132 10.2.2 Powers 132 10.2.3 Regulations 132 10.2.4 Fees 132 10.3 PLANNING BOARD 133 10.3.1 Establishment 133 10.3.2 Powers 133 10.3.3 Rules and Regulations 133 10.3.4 Fees 133 10.4 SPECIAL PERMITS 133 10.4.1 Special Permit Granting Authority 133 10.4.2 Criteria 133 10.4.3 Procedures 134 10.4.4 Conditions 134 10.4.5 Plans 134 10.4.6 Regulations 134 10.4.7 Fees 134 10.4.8 Lapse 134 10.5 SITE PLAN REVIEW 134 10.5.1 Applicability 134 10.5.2 Contents 135 10.5.3 Other Required Information 136 10.5.4 Procedure for Approval 137 10.5.5 General Conditions for Approval 137 ix 10.5.6 Authority of Board 138 10.5.7 As-Built Plan 138 10.5.8 Security 138 10.5.9 Reduction of Security 139 10.5.10 Release of Security 139 10.5.11 Failure to Notify Applicant 139 10.5.12 Applicant Failure to Complete Work 139 10.5.13 Town Site Inspection Program 139 10.5.14 Lapse 140 10.5.15 Regulations 140 10.5.16 Fee 140 10.5.17 Appeal 140 10.6 FINAL UNFAVORABLE DECISIONS 140 10.7 CANTON CENTER DESIGN REVIEW 140 10.7.1 Purpose 140 10.7.2 General 141 10.7.3 Not Used 141 10.7.4 Canton Center Townscape 141 10.7.5 Townscape Design; Statement of Principals 141 10.7.6 Open Space 142 10.7.7 Open Space Design; Statement of Principles 142 10.7.8 Preservation and Enhancement of Landscape 143 10.7.9 Landscape Design; Statement of Principles 143 10.7.10 Signs and Awnings 143 10.7.11 Signs and Awnings Design; Statement of Principles 144 10.7.12 Heritage Structures 145 10.7.13 Heritage Structures Design; Statement of Principles 145 10.7.14 NOT USED 146 10.7.15 NOT USED 146 10.7.16 NOT USED 146 10.7.17 Administrative Procedures 147 10.7.18 Uses and Activities Subject to Design Review 147 10.7.19 Design Standards and Criteria 147 SECTION 11.0 DEFINITIONS 151 x