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North Adams City Zoning Code

SECTION 3

USE REGULATIONS.

[Ord. of 1-12-2016; 6-10-2025]
3.1. 
Use Regulations: No building or structure shall be erected or used and no premises shall be used except as set forth in the "Use Regulation Schedule" in Section 3.2. Symbols employed shall mean the following:
Symbol
Definition
A
Allowed, a permitted use.
NP
Not permitted, an excluded or prohibited use.
SP-Z
Use may be authorized upon issuance of a special permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
SP-P
Use may be authorized upon issuance of a special permit by the Planning Board.
*
Special conditions or limitations apply; see District Specific Regulations to the right in the Use Regulation Schedule.
-
Accessory uses marked with a dash are not explicitly permitted in that district; however, the use may be allowed as an accessory use that is customarily incidental to a permitted use in accordance with Section 3.2B(6) as interpreted by the Building Inspector.
3.2. 
Use Regulation Schedule: See "Appendix A" for the Use Regulation Schedule.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A, Use Regulation Schedule, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
3.3. 
Accessory Dwelling Unit. An ADU shall be permitted by right in all zoning districts where single-family dwellings are a permitted use. ADUs may be attached to the principal dwelling unit or located in a separate accessory structure.
3.3.1. 
An Accessory Dwelling Unit shall meet the following requirements:
i) 
All dimensional requirements for lots and structures set forth in Section 4 of this Ordinance along with all other applicable zoning requirements for the district in which it is located.
ii) 
One dedicated off-street parking space must be maintained for the ADU, unless the ADU is located within 0.5 miles from a transit station as defined in 760 CMR 71.02;
iii) 
May not be rented or occupied as a “short-term rental” as that term is defined in G.L. c.64G, § 1;
iv) 
May not be maintained in separate ownership from the principal dwelling;
v) 
If detached, the unit and its location to the primary dwelling shall be in compliance with the fire code CMR 527 1.00;
vi) 
Must have a permanent foundation; no trailers will be permitted as an ADU;
vii) 
There shall be no more than one Accessory Dwelling Unit per Lot.
3.3.2. 
ADUs require site plan approval under Section 12.4.1, provided, however, that any terms and conditions set under site plan review are not inconsistent with this Section 3.3 and are not unreasonable nor inconsistent with an as-of-right process as defined by G.L. c. 40A, §1A.