Provide older homeowners with a means of obtaining rental income, companionship, security, and services, thereby enabling them to stay more comfortably in homes and neighborhoods they might otherwise be forced to leave;

Increase the number of smaller, moderately priced dwelling units available for rent in Town;

Increase the range of choice of housing accommodations;

Provide housing units for persons with disabilities; and

Encourage a more economic and energy-efficient use of the Town's housing supply while maintaining the appearance and character of the Town's single-family neighborhoods.

A permit may be granted by the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer to accommodate an accessory apartment by the installation of a common wall or the partitioning of or extension of existing habitable area. There shall be no more than one accessory apartment for a total of two dwelling units within a single-family dwelling per lot.

Use limitation. The principal dwelling unit or accessory apartment must be occupied by the owner. For the purposes of this section "owner" shall mean one or more of those individuals who hold record title to the lot on which the principal dwelling unit and the accessory apartment are located.

Floor area limitations. The habitable area of the principal dwelling unit shall not be less than 1,600 square feet. The habitable area of the accessory apartment shall be limited to a maximum of 900 square feet. The Groveland Zoning Board of Appeals may by special permit allow an increase of up to 10% in the accessory apartment habitable area square footage limitation if the configuration of the structure makes strict compliance with this requirement difficult. The Groveland Zoning Board of Appeals, by special permit, may also allow reasonable deviation from the stated conditions and requirements where necessary to install features that facilitate access and mobility for disabled persons, provided that the Board of Appeals finds that such deviation is not contrary to the public interest and is consistent with purpose and intent of this bylaw.

There shall be no borders or lodgers within either the principal dwelling unit or the accessory apartment, or on the same lot with an accessory apartment.

The total number of bedrooms of the principal dwelling unit and accessory apartment combined may not exceed the capacity of the permitted and compliant septic system serving the units per Title V requirements. This section shall not apply to properties that are connected to the public sewer system.

Utilities such as water, electric and gas as necessary for the accessory apartment shall be extensions of the existing utilities serving the principal single-family dwelling and shall not be separately metered, unless required by the utility provider.

Parking shall be provided for as determined by the parking table in § 50-9.1B.

To the extent possible, exterior passageways and accessways shall not detract from the single-family appearance of the dwelling. All stairways to additional stories shall be located on the side or rear of the structure.

The accessory apartment will be a complete, separate dwelling unit that contains both permanent kitchen and bathroom and has its own means of egress.

Floor plans of the proposed accessory apartment and principal dwelling unit and a site plan showing the structure(s) on the lot shall be filed with the application for a permit with the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer. Plans shall demonstrate that exterior changes to the structure will not significantly alter the appearance of the single-family dwelling.

Prior to issuance of a building permit, the owner shall send a notarized letter to the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer affirming that the owner will occupy either of the principal dwelling unit or the accessory apartment as the owner's primary residence, except for temporary absences of no more than six months in any calendar year.

Prior to issuance of a building permit, the owner shall send a notarized letter to the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer stating that to the best of his or her knowledge the accessory apartment will not violate any deed restrictions applicable to the subject lot or principal dwelling unit.

When a lot with a structure which has received a permit for an accessory apartment is sold, the new owner, if he or she wishes to continue to exercise the permit, must, within 60 days of the sale, submit a notarized letter to the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer affirming that he or she will occupy either of the principal dwelling unit or the accessory apartment on the premises as his or her primary residence, except for temporary absences of no more than six months in any calendar year and acknowledging and agreeing to abide by all conditions to the previously issued occupancy certificate and special permit, if applicable.

Any accessory apartment lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this bylaw shall be allowed to continue.

Such trailer may be parked or stored in a garage or other accessory building, or in the rear half of a lot owned or occupied by the owner of the trailer; providing, however, that the trailer must be located at least 25 feet from the rear and side lot lines and its use for living or business is prohibited.

The owner of land may permit occupancy of such land by a nonpaying guest, using a trailer for living purposes, for a period not exceeding four weeks in any calendar year. A permit for this purpose must be obtained from the Board of Selectmen before the land may be so occupied.

As a temporary office or dwelling incidental to construction or development of the premises on which the trailer is located. Such use, however, is conditioned upon prior approval of the Board of Health and prior issuance of a permit from the Board of Appeals.

The customary home occupation shall be subordinate to the principal use of the dwelling and shall not appreciably change the residential character of the structure or the lot on which it sits.

No person other than the legal resident(s) of the dwelling may be employed to work on the premises.

Activities associated with the customary home occupation shall be limited to the interior of the dwelling or accessory structure.

No exterior storage of goods, materials, tools or equipment shall be allowed. Storage of junk, scrap, waste or hazardous materials related to the customary home occupation is strictly prohibited.

No more than one commercial vehicle owned by the business is allowed to be parked on the premises, excluding vehicles which are the primary vehicles of the legal residents of the property.

No offensive noise, smoke, vibration, dust, odors, heat, light, or glare shall be produced by the home occupation.

Signs shall comply with Article XI of this bylaw.

Customer/Client visits are permitted by appointment only.

Deliveries/Pick-ups related to the business shall be limited to one per day except as allowed by Subsection C(8).

Off-street parking must be provided for customers/clients if customers/clients are anticipated as part of the business. Resident vehicles shall not be parked on street to accommodate customer/client parking needs or requirements.

The owner of a customary home occupation will register the home occupation business with the Town Clerk. Said registration shall not constitute authorization to conduct the business.

To provide for the establishment of registered marijuana dispensaries in appropriate places and under strict conditions.

To minimize the adverse impacts of registered marijuana dispensaries on adjacent properties, residential neighborhoods, schools and other places where children congregate, local historic districts and other land uses potentially incompatible with said registered marijuana dispensaries.

To regulate the siting, design, placement, security, safety, monitoring, modification and removal of registered marijuana dispensaries.

The commercial cultivation, production, processing, assembly, packaging, retail or wholesale sale, trade, distribution or dispensing of marijuana for medical use is prohibited unless permitted as a registered marijuana dispensary under this section.

No registered marijuana dispensary shall be established except in compliance with the provisions of this section.

Nothing in this bylaw shall be construed to supersede federal and state laws governing the sale and distribution of narcotic drugs.

If any provision of this section or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, the remainder of this section, to the extent it can be given effect, or the application of those provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby, and to this end the provisions of this section are severable.

All registered marijuana dispensaries shall be contained within a building and outside cultivation area that are properly secured.

A registered marijuana dispensary shall not be located in buildings that contain any medical doctor offices or the offices of any professional practitioner authorized to prescribe the use of medical marijuana.

The hours of operation of registered marijuana dispensaries may be regulated by the special permit granting authority, provided that the RMD may only be open to the public between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

No burning of any product containing marijuana or marijuana-related products shall be permitted on the premises of a registered marijuana dispensary that would create noxious odors.

No registered marijuana dispensary shall be located inside a building containing residential units, or inside a movable or mobile structure.

No registered marijuana dispensary shall be located on a lot within 300 feet of a residential zoning district boundary line, a house of worship, a school, playground or a day-care facility. The distance under this section is measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the property line of the protected uses to the nearest point of the property line of the proposed RMD.

Signage for the registered marijuana dispensary shall include the following language: "Registration card issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health required." The required text shall be a minimum of two inches in height.

Registered marijuana dispensaries shall provide the Groveland Police Department, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and special permit granting authority with the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of all management staff and key holders to whom one can provide notice if there are operating problems associated with the establishment.

A registered marijuana dispensary shall only be allowed by special permit from the Groveland Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with MGL c. 40A, § 9, subject to all applicable laws, regulations, requirements, conditions and limitations.

A special permit for a registered marijuana dispensary shall indicate which of the following uses will be conducted on the proposed site:

In addition to the application requirements set forth in Subsections E and F of this bylaw, a special permit application for a registered marijuana dispensary shall include the following:

Mandatory findings. The special permit granting authority shall not issue a special permit for a registered marijuana dispensary unless it finds that:

Annual reporting.

A special permit granted under this section shall have a term limited to the duration of the applicant's ownership or lease of the premises as a registered marijuana dispensary. The special permit shall be particular to the applicant and may be transferred to another entity for the same location only with permission from the special permit granting authority in the form of an amendment to the special permit with all information required in this § 50-7.4.

A special permit for an RMD shall lapse if not exercised within one year of issuance.

A registered marijuana dispensary shall be required to remove all material, plants, equipment and other paraphernalia: a) prior to surrendering its state-issued licenses or permits; or b) within six months of ceasing operations; whichever comes first.

To provide a regulatory scheme for the location, construction and operation of battery energy storage systems consistent with best practices and safety protocols;

To ensure compatible land uses in the vicinity of the areas affected by battery energy storage systems and to mitigate any potential impacts on abutting and nearby properties; and

To mitigate the impacts of battery energy storage systems on environmental resources such as agricultural lands, forests, wildlife, wetlands, aquifer, and other natural resources.

The requirements of this bylaw shall apply to battery energy storage systems permitted, installed, decommissioned, or modified after the effective date of this bylaw, excluding general maintenance and repair. BESS subject to this bylaw are only those that exceed the following capacities:

BESS that do not exceed the threshold capacities above are not subject to this bylaw and are allowed by right in all zoning districts.

A battery energy storage system that is subject to this bylaw is classified as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 battery energy storage system as follows:

All permits required by state codes, including but not limited to a building permit, an electrical permit, and a fire department permit shall be required for installation of all battery energy storage systems.

All battery energy storage systems, all dedicated use buildings, and all other buildings or structures that (a) contain or are otherwise associated with a battery energy storage system and (b) subject to the requirements of the State Building Code, shall be designed, erected, and installed in accordance with all applicable provisions of the State Building Code 780 CMR, State Fire Code 527 CMR 1.00, and State Electrical Code 527 CMR 12.00. All battery energy storage systems shall comply with NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems.

Energy storage system capacities, including array capacity and separation, are limited to the thresholds contained in NFPA 855.

All access roads should be at least 12' wide, constructed of an all-weather surface, an area for vehicular use and/or parking area that shall be surfaced with either asphalt, concrete, chip seal, graded and compacted gravel, or other stabilized system approved by the Groveland Fire Department, and be cleared of all obstructions on both sides by at least 2'. A 16" vertical clearance shall be maintained for large vehicle access. Access gates erected on site shall be a minimum of 12' wide, accessible via Groveland Fire Department emergency access key system. Access to all sides of each enclosure shall be provided where practical.

Utility lines and electrical circuitry. All on-site utility lines shall be placed underground to the extent feasible and as permitted by the serving utility, with the exception of the main service connection at the utility company right-of-way and any new interconnection equipment, including without limitation any poles.

Signage. Signage shall comply with the requirements of Article XI of this Zoning Bylaw and the following additional requirements; in the event of a conflict between the provisions of Article XI and this section, the requirements of this section shall prevail.

Lighting. Lighting of the battery energy storage system shall be limited to that minimally required for safety, security and operational purposes and shall be consistent with local, state, and federal law. Lighting of other parts of the installation, such as appurtenant structures, shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes, shall be shielded to eliminate glare from abutting properties and shall be directed downward to reduce light pollution.

Vegetation and tree-cutting. Areas within 10 feet on each side of Tier 2 battery energy storage systems shall be cleared of combustible vegetation and other combustible growth. Single specimens of trees, shrubbery, or cultivated ground cover such as green grass, ivy, succulents, or similar plants used as ground covers shall be permitted provided they do not form a means of readily transmitting fire. Removal of trees should be minimized to the extent possible.

Setbacks. Tier 2 battery energy storage systems shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from all side, rear, and front lot lines; except that Tier 2 BESS shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from side, rear, and front lot lines that abut or are across a street from residential zoning districts or existing single, two-family, or multi-family structures. The minimum setback areas shall include a buffer area at least 15 feet wide along all property lines that will limit visual impacts and be consistent with neighborhood characteristics. Access drives and parking are allowed in the setback areas but shall not intrude into the required buffer areas except where necessary to provide access or egress to the property. In addition, a minimum of 10 feet must be maintained between BESS components and all buildings, stored combustible materials, hazardous materials, high-piled storage, personnel means of egress, and other exposure hazards not associated with electrical grid infrastructure.

Dimensional. Tier 2 battery energy storage systems shall comply with the dimensional limitations for principal structures of the underlying zoning district as provided in Article VIII of this Zoning Bylaw, unless otherwise provided in this bylaw.

Fencing requirements. Tier 2 battery energy storage systems, including all mechanical equipment, shall be enclosed by a minimum eight-foot-high fence with a locking gate to prevent unauthorized access unless housed in a dedicated-use building. Security barriers, fences, landscaping, and other enclosures must not inhibit required air flow to or exhaust from the BESS and components. Electrical equipment greater than 1,000V requires a separate and additional means to restrict access. NFPA 855 requires specialty safety systems to be provided based on the BESS chemistry and installed location.

Screening and visibility. Tier 2 battery energy storage systems shall have views minimized from adjacent properties to the extent reasonably practicable using architectural features, earth berms, landscaping, or other screening methods that will harmonize with the character of the property and surrounding area. Such features may not inhibit required air flow to or exhaust from the BESS and components and must comply with the setbacks established in Subsection F(6) above.

Mitigation for Loss of Carbon Sequestration and Forest Habitat. If land that is forestland or has been forestland within one year immediately preceding the filing an application to install a Tier 2 BESS, the plans shall designate thereon an area of unprotected (meaning, not subject to MGL c. 184, §§ 31 through 33 at time of application) land on the same lot and of a size equal to two times the total area of forestland that will be eliminated, cut, destroyed, or otherwise disturbed by such installation. Such designated land shall remain in substantially its natural condition without alteration, including prohibition of commercial forestry or tree cutting not related to the maintenance of the installation, until such time as the installation is decommissioned; except in response to a natural occurrence, invasive species or disease that impacts the trees and requires cutting to preserve the health of the forest.

Mitigation for disruption of trail networks. If existing trail networks, old roads, or woods or cart roads are disrupted by the location of a Tier 2 BESS, the plans shall show alternative trail alignments to be constructed by the applicant, although no rights of public access may be established hereunder.

Mitigation for disruption of historic resources and properties. Historic resources, structures and properties, such as cellar holes, farmsteads, stone corrals, marked graves, water wells, or pre-Columbian features, including those listed on the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places or as defined by the National Historic Preservation Act, shall be excluded from the areas proposed to be developed for a Tier 2 BESS. A written assessment of the project's effects on each identified historic resource or property and ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate any adverse effects shall be submitted as part of the application. A suitable buffer area as determined by the Planning Board shall be established on all sides of each historic resource.

Batteries. Failed battery cells and modules shall not be stored on the site and shall be removed no later than 30 days after deemed failed by the BESS operator or cell/module manufacturer. The operator shall notify the Groveland Fire Chief and Groveland Building Commissioner in advance if the type of battery or batteries used on-site is to be changed.

Decommissioning plan. The applicant shall submit with its application a decommissioning plan for Tier 2 BESS to be implemented upon abandonment and/or in conjunction with removal of the facility. The owner or operator of the BESS shall notify the Building Commissioner, Groveland Municipal Light Department and Groveland Fire Chief in writing at least 20 days prior to when a Tier 2 BESS will be decommissioned. Decommissioning of an abandoned or discontinued Tier 2 BESS shall be completed within six months after the facility ceases operation. The decommissioning plan shall include:

Decommissioning fund. The owner and/or operator of the energy storage system, shall continuously maintain a fund or other surety acceptable to the Town, in a form approved by the Planning Board and Town Counsel, for the removal of the battery energy storage system, in an amount to be determined by the Town, for the period of the life of the facility. All costs of the financial security shall be borne by the applicant.

Proof of liability insurance. The applicant or property owner shall provide evidence of commercial liability insurance in an amount and type generally acceptable in the industry and approved by the Planning Board prior to the issuance of a building permit, and shall continue such insurance in effect until such facility has been decommissioned, removed, and the site restored in accordance with this bylaw.

A one- or three-line electrical diagram detailing the battery energy storage system layout, associated components, and electrical interconnection methods, with all State Electrical Code compliant disconnects and over current devices.

A preliminary equipment specification sheet that documents the proposed battery energy storage system components, inverters and associated electrical equipment that are to be installed. A final equipment specification sheet shall be submitted prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Name, address, and contact information of proposed or potential system installer and the owner and/or operator of the battery energy storage system. Such information of the final system installer shall be submitted prior to the issuance of building permit.

Large-scale fire test data, evaluation information, calculations, and modeling data. For any of the following, UL 9540A fire test data must be made available to the Planning Board for review:

Commissioning plan. The system installer or commissioning agent shall prepare a commissioning plan prior to the start of commissioning. Such plan shall be compliant with NFPA 855 and document and verify that the system and its associated controls and safety systems are in proper working condition per requirements set forth in applicable state codes. Where commissioning is required by the Building Code, battery energy storage system commissioning shall be conducted by a Massachusetts licensed professional engineer after the installation is complete but prior to final inspection and approval. A corrective action plan shall be developed for any open or continuing issues that are allowed to be continued after commissioning. A report describing the results of the system commissioning and including the results of the initial acceptance testing required by applicable state codes shall be provided to Zoning Enforcement Officer, Groveland Municipal Light Department and Groveland Fire Department prior to final inspection and approval and maintained at an approved on-site location.

Fire safety compliance plan. Such plan shall document and verify that the system and its associated controls and safety systems are in compliance with state codes.

Operation and maintenance manual. Such plan shall describe continuing battery energy storage system maintenance and property upkeep, as well as design, construction, installation, testing and commissioning information and shall meet all requirements set forth state codes and NFPA 855. Maintenance provisions will be driven by manufacturer requirements for the specific listed system.

Depending on the location of the BESS in relation to and its interaction with the electrical grid, interconnection will be completed per 527 CMR 12.00. System interconnections into utility grids shall be in accordance with NFPA 855. An accessible disconnect is required per 527 CMR 12.00.

Prior to the issuance of the building permit, engineering documents must be signed and sealed by a Massachusetts licensed professional engineer.

Emergency operations plan. An emergency operations plan compliant with NFPA 855 is required. A copy of the approved emergency operations plan shall be given to the system owner, the local fire department, and local fire code official. For so long as the BESS is operational, the operator shall provide the Fire Department, Police Department, Building Commissioner, Groveland Municipal Light Department, and Town Administrator's office with contact information for personnel that can be reached 24 hours per day every day, and this contact information shall be updated by the operator whenever there is a change in the information. The operator shall also be required to have an official representative present on-site not later than two hours after notification by the Fire Chief, Police Chief, or their designee. A permanent copy shall also be placed in an approved location to be accessible to facility personnel, fire code officials, and emergency responders. The emergency operations plan shall include the following information:

System certification. Battery energy storage systems and equipment shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to UL 9540 (Standard for battery energy storage systems and Equipment) or approved equivalent, with subcomponents meeting each of the following standards as applicable:

Site access. Battery energy storage systems shall be maintained in good working order and in accordance with industry standards. Site access shall be maintained, including snow removal at a level acceptable to the local fire department.

Battery energy storage systems, components, and associated ancillary equipment shall have required working space clearances, and electrical circuitry shall be within weatherproof enclosures marked with the environmental rating suitable for the type of exposure in compliance with NFPA 70.