This is the website for the City of Boston’s new Planning Department, which launched on July 1. The staff and many responsibilities of the Boston Planning & Development Agency have moved to the Planning Department of the City of Boston including planning & zoning, urban design, development review, and real estate divisions. Please excuse any misalignment you may see on our site as we transition to the City. Learn more
The Boston Zoning Code’s goals are to promote the health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the inhabitants of the City; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the City; to prevent overcrowding of land; to conserve the value of land and buildings; to lessen congestion in the streets; to avoid undue concentration of population; to provide adequate light and air; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to facilitate adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements; and to preserve and increase the amenities of the City.
Access the whole document on Municode.
Explore maps illustrating Boston's Zoning regulations.
View planning and zoning information for properties across the City of Boston on the Zoning Viewer. This interactive web-mapping application was designed to assist City staff and the public in locating and determining zoning information for Boston land parcels.