How to Check a Building’s Zoning Designation

Check your address on the free Boston Planning and Development Agency’s (BPDA) zoning viewer map to see how it is zoned and if any special regulations apply to it.

1. Open the Zoning Viewer. You’ll see a map of Boston.
2. Type an address or parcel ID number into the search bar at the top of the screen.
3. Press Enter. The map will zoom to your property and show a summary of information.

Once you select a property, you will see an information panel. Here’s what each section means:

• Assessing: Shows the parcel ID, official address, and owner. Click "Assessors Report" to see the property's current use, lot size, and history.
• Zoning: Shows the zoning district, sub-district, and the zoning article that applies. Click the article number and ‘tables’ link to access the full rules.
• Zoning Overlays: Lists any special overlay districts that add extra rules on top of the base zoning. Click each one to read its regulations.
• Other: Lists non-zoning regulations from other City, state, or federal agencies.

1. In the Zoning section of the Zoning Viewer map, note your property's sub-district name.
2. Click the linked table button to open the zoning tables for your neighborhood.
3. Find your sub-district column in the associated land use table.
4. Look for relevant uses. Each will show one of three letters:
   • A: Allowed. You can proceed without extra review.
   • C: Conditional. The use requires a conditional use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA).
   • F: Forbidden. The use is not allowed at this location without a variance from the ZBA.
5. Look for dimensional limits.
6. In the same zoning table set, below the land use rules, locate the dimensional tables. 
   • Find the table and/or column associated with your sub-district.
   • Review limits for building height, lot size, and other requirements.

Even within the same zoning district, different types of projects may be allowed, conditional, or forbidden.

If your plans exceed any of these limits, you will need a variance from the ZBA.

Depending on the type of work you intend to do, your project will fall into one of two zoning categories:

• As-Of-Right. If your property is zoned for your intended use and conforms with all the other zoning requirements, you may proceed with the application process.
• Zoning Relief. If your proposed work does not conform with all the current zoning requirements, then your permit application will be refused, and you will need to seek variances from the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) and be subject to a neighborhood review process. This takes extra time, often several months.

To request to change the use or occupancy of a building, you’ll need to submit a Long Form application to the Inspectional Services Department (ISD). 

If your planned use is designated as conditional or forbidden at your address, you’ll need to file an appeal for zoning relief from the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA). This takes extra time, often several months.

How to File an Appeal with the Zoning Board

You can learn more about the zoning appeal process in this guide from ISD (PDF).

Sometimes, previously granted  zoning relief is tied to a particular owner. If you’re taking over an existing space, you may need to follow the zoning appeal process to reobtain that relief.

Track your zoning appeal on the ZBA Tracker.