(a)

Established. For the purposes of this chapter, the city is hereby divided into the following districts:

(b)

Residential 1 (R1) District. The purpose of the R1 district is to provide an area for residential and associated uses.

(c)

Residential 2 (R2) District. The purpose of the R2 district is to provide an area for multifamily dwellings and associated uses.

(d)

Residential 3 (R3) District. The purpose of the R3 district is to provide an area for higher density, multifamily dwellings.

(e)

Business (B) District. The purpose of the B district is to provide areas for professional, business and governmental offices and related and complimentary uses.

(f)

Retail Business (BR) District. The purpose of the BR district is to provide a downtown area with the range of business sales and services which generally constitute a central business district with the aim of promoting enhanced commercial identity, vibrancy, and pedestrian activity.

(g)

Retail Business 2 (BR2) District. The purpose of the BR2 district is to encourage uses supportive of the adjacent residential areas and to allow for the development of residential buildings and residential units above ground floor retail.

(h)

Highway Business (BH) District. The purpose of the BH district is to provide areas for retail businesses serving vehicles and for automotive sales and services.

(i)

Shopping Center (SC) District. The purpose of the SC district is to provide areas of retail sales and services developed with more than one establishment on one lot with shared common facilities and on-site parking.

(j)

Waterfront (W) District. The purpose of the W district is to provide an area for uses which are water related and/or which benefit from proximity to the airport or the harbor, and to encourage public access to the waterfront.

(k)

Port (P) District. The purposes of the P district are to provide an area for water-dependent and maritime industrial uses, to enable the siting of supportive uses, and to encourage appropriate public access to the working waterfront.

(l)

Waterfront Upland (WU) District. The purpose of WU district is to promote economic development and to provide uses that are complementary to both a working waterfront and an adjacent residential neighborhood.

(m)

Industrial (I) District. The purpose of the I district is to provide for research, manufacturing, wholesaling, and related distribution activities in locations with suitable access and where such activities can occur without an adverse impact upon residential areas.

(n)

Light Industrial/Office (LI) District. The purpose of the LI district is to provide for office, light industry, research and development, wholesale and related distribution activities in locations with suitable access and where such activities can occur without an adverse impact upon residential uses.

(o)

Light Industrial/Office 2 (LI2) District. The purpose of the LI2 district is to provide an area for light industrial uses compatible with the adjacent residential district.

(p)

Naval Hospital Development—Residential (NHR) District. The purpose of the NHR district is to redevelop a portion of the former naval hospital site for residential purposes.

(q)

Naval Hospital Development—Commercial (NHC) District. The purpose of the NHC district is to redevelop a portion of the former naval hospital site for office uses, recreational uses and related purposes.

(Ord. of 6-20-2005, § 2.1; Ord. of 6-17-2019; Ord. of 3-8-2021(5), § 1)

The following overlay districts are also hereby created and are set forth in article VIII of this chapter:

(Ord. of 6-20-2005, § 2.2; Ord. of 3-8-2021(5), § 2; Ord. of 12-21-2023(2), Amend. No. 1)

Said districts are located and bounded as shown on a map entitled "Zoning Map, Chelsea, Massachusetts," copies of which are on file in the offices of the city clerk, zoning enforcement officer and the planning board, dated August 5, 2008 and any amendments thereto. The zoning map, with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby made a part of this chapter and may be reissued by the planning board to incorporate such amendments as may be made by the city. The zoning enforcement officer shall maintain at least two currently accurate zoning maps of which one shall be displayed in the office of the zoning enforcement officer and one in the office of the city clerk.

(Ord. of 6-20-2005, § 2.3.1; Ord. of 10-19-2020; Ord. of 3-8-2021(2); Ord. of 3-8-2021(4), § 7; Ord. of 3-8-2021(5), § 17; Ord. of 12-21-2023(2), Amend. No. 3)

State Law reference— Zoning map, M.G.L. c. 40A, § 4.

The location of district boundary lines shown upon the zoning map shall be determined as follows:

(1)

Street, railroad or utility. Where a boundary is shown as following a street, railroad or utility, the boundary shall be the centerline thereof unless otherwise indicated.

(2)

Parallel. Where a boundary is shown outside of a street, railroad or utility, and is approximately parallel thereto, it shall be deemed parallel to the nearest property line thereof and the figure placed on the zoning map between the boundary and such line shall be the distance in feet between them, as measured at a right angle from such line unless otherwise indicated.

(3)

Watercourse. Where a boundary is shown as following a watercourse, the boundary shall coincide with the centerline thereof as said centerline existed at the date of the zoning map.

(4)

Property line. Where a boundary apparently follows a property line, it shall be interpreted as coincident.

(5)

Divided lot. Where a district boundary line divides a single zoning lot and a development is proposed to encompass the entire zoning lot, the zoning board of appeals may, by special permit, extend a use allowed in either district or the dimensional requirements of either district upon the recommendation of the department of planning and development.

(6)

Boundary dispute. In case of uncertainty, the building inspector shall determine the exact location of the boundary.

(Ord. of 6-20-2005, § 2.4; Ord. of 3-8-2021(5), § 3)