Norwood, MA Zoning Ordinance

Norwood City Zoning Code

SECTION 4

Dimensional Requirements

§ 4.1 General Requirements.

4.1.1.

Table of Dimensional Requirements. The erection, extension, alteration, or moving of a structure or the creation of a lot or change in its size or shape (except through a public taking) must meet the requirements set forth in this Section 4.0 and the Table of Dimensional Regulations, except as may be otherwise set forth herein.

[Amended 3-21-2024 STM by Art. 4]

TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
District	Min. Lot Area	Min. Lot Frontage	Max. Lot Cover	Min. Open Space	Max. Floor Area Ratio	Required Lot Width Through Building or Structure	Min. Front Setback	Min. Side Yard	Min. Rear Yard	Max. Building Height
S2	15,000 sf	125 ft	25%	25%	No limit	125 ft	30 ft	20 ft⁴	35 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S1	12,500 sf	100 ft	25%	25%	No limit	100 ft	30 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S	10,000 sf	90 ft	25%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
G	10,000 sf¹	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
A	10,000 sf²	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
CB	5,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	0%	No limit	20 ft	0 ft¹¹	0 ft⁷	10ft	40 ft
BPH	10,000 sf² ³	100 ft³	80%	20%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft¹⁶	20 ft¹⁷	30 ft¹⁸	60 ft¹⁵
NSC MUOD	10,000 sf	50 ft	80%	10%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft	30 ft	30 ft	60 ft
LB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
GB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
O	3 acres³	250 ft³	20%	40%	0.5	250 ft	100 ft	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	30ft
LM	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
LMA	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
M	10,000 sf	50 ft³	70%	10%	0.67	50 ft	0 ft¹³	10 ft⁹	10 ft⁹	40 ft¹⁵
LSDD	3 acres³	250 ft³	70%	25%	No Limit	250 ft	50 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	80 ft²⁰
MSOD	See Section 9.9				No limit	See Section 9.9
MCMOD	See Section 9.5				No limit	See Section 9.5

4.1.2.

Notes to Table of Dimensional Requirements. These notes shall have the force and effect of law.

7,500 square feet per dwelling unit if that results in more than the basic minimum.

For multifamily dwellings and mixed use buildings, the permitted maximum density is as follows:

District	Density
A	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
CB	5,000 sf plus 2,570 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
BPH	See Section 9.4.12 for density allowed by Special Permit
NSC-MUOD	See Section 9.8.8
LB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
GB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit

One-story accessory structures have no requirement except that in the BPH district they shall not be located in front of the primary building(s). The minimum frontage requirement in the BPH and LM districts may be reduced to 40 feet if the area is used for a private street to access the building lot to the rear.

Note: changes to subsection 4 apply to the side yard requirement for the S2 – Single Residential 2 District.

Fifteen feet for building portions not exceeding 15 feet height. Accessory buildings, if not exceeding 120 square feet of gross floor area and 10 feet in height and 12 feet in length or width, may have yard as little as 5 feet; accessory buildings exceeding 120 square feet and meeting the minimum side yard requirement shall be limited to no more than 600 square feet of gross floor area, 15 feet in height, 24 feet in width and 24 feet in length.

Note: changes to subsection 4 apply to the side yard requirement for the S2 – Single Residential 2 District.

Ten feet for building portions not exceeding 15 feet height. Accessory buildings, if not exceeding 120 square feet of gross floor area and 10 feet in height and 12 feet in length or width, may have yard as little as 5 feet; accessory buildings exceeding 120 square feet and meeting the minimum side yard requirement shall be limited to no more than 600 square feet of gross floor area, 15 feet in height, 24 feet in width and 24 feet in length.

Note: changes to subsection 6 applies to side yard requirements for the G – General Residential District and A – Multifamily Residential District.

For building portions not exceeding 15 feet height, yard may be 10 feet. Buildings, including dwellings, may attach to buildings on adjacent lots. Accessory buildings, if not exceeding 120 square feet of gross floor area and 10 feet in height and 12 feet in length or width, may have yard as little as 5 feet; accessory buildings exceeding 120 square feet and meeting the minimum side yard requirement shall be limited to no more than 600 square feet of gross floor area, 15 feet in height, 24 feet in width and 24 feet in length.

But not less than 10 feet from a residence district boundary. Any yard, if provided, shall be not less than 10 feet.

But not less than 150 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

But not less than 75 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

10.

Accessory buildings (i.e., sheds), if not exceeding 120 square feet of gross floor area and 10 feet in height and 12 feet in length or width, may have yard as little as 5 feet; accessory buildings exceeding 120 square feet and meeting the minimum required rear yard requirement shall be limited to no more than 600 square feet of gross floor area, 15 feet in height, 24 feet in width and 24 feet in length.

11.

Increase to 20 feet for any part of a building within 200 feet of a residential district having frontage on the same street in the same block.

12.

Increase to 150 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

13.

Increase to 75 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

14.

Access for fire apparatus or personnel may require larger yards, as determined by the fire chief under board of Fire Prevention Regulations, 527 CMR 25.00. Where emergency access is required, not less than 15 feet of unobstructed width must be provided.

15.

Increase by one foot for each foot by which all setback and yard requirements are exceeded, to a maximum of 60 feet in height. In the BPH district, a primary or accessory building may be 20 feet in height at the minimum front yard and side yard setback line, and then increase by one foot in height for each foot exceeding the minimum yard setback requirements to a maximum of 60 feet in height.

16.

Parking is not allowed in the front yard setback and must meet the streetscape requirements in Section 6.4.

17.

In the BPH district, the minimum side yard setback can be reduced to zero where adjacent properties have a shared driveway, internal access or shared parking facilities.

18.

In the BPH district, where a lot line abuts a residential zoning district, the minimum setback of a building shall be 80 feet. Parking is prohibited within 30 feet of any residential zoning district. The area within 30 feet of any property line that abuts any residential zoning district shall be landscaped with evergreen plantings and screened from the abutting residential district as required in Section 6.3.1.3. A high solid fence of no less than 8 feet in height shall be erected at the residential property line. The landscaped buffer plantings and fence shall be maintained in good condition. If any plantings die, they shall be replaced with the same type and size planting.

Maximum size accessory building; Shown is a detached 24’ x 24’ two-car garage.

Example of inappropriate accessory building located in a residential district on Dean Street near Tamworth Road.

19.

No yard required where the property on both sides of the lot line is zoned LSDD. Lots developed under a common scheme shall be treated as a single lot with no interior setbacks or boundaries. Bridges, walkways, corridors, or passageways, enclosed or otherwise, and connecting buildings located within LSDD shall not be subject to setback requirements.

20.

The Planning Board may allow buildings up to 100’ in height by Special Permit, subject to the requirements in Section 10.4 and the following provisions:Increase by one foot for each foot by which all setback and yard requirements are exceeded, to a maximum of 100 feet in height. A photo simulation of the proposed structure shall be submitted as viewed from locations specified by the Planning Board. Evidence of FAA approval is required.

4.1.3.

Front Setbacks.

Corner and Through Lots. Front setbacks must be maintained from each street on which a lot abuts.

Setback Averaging. No building need provide a front setback larger than the average of the front setbacks on lots abutting on either side, with a vacant lot (or a lot having no building within three hundred feet from the building in question), or a lot providing a setback larger than the required minimum, or an intersecting street being counted as though occupied by a building providing that required minimum setback.

4.1.4.

Lot Width. In all Districts, no building or structure, except a one-story accessory structure, shall be constructed on a lot having less lot width, measured through that portion of the building or structure where the lot is narrowest and at any point between the frontage street and the nearest part of said building, than the "Required Lot Width Through Building or Structure" specified in the Table of Dimensional Requirements.

4.1.5.

Exceptions.

Inconsequential Change. Lot line changes to nonconforming lots are allowed provided that they create neither additional lots nor create an increase in any nonconformity.

Two or More Principal Buildings. Not more than dwelling shall be erected on a lot, unless so authorized on Special Permit under Section 4.2.1. Two or more other principal buildings may be erected on a lot only it lot area requirements can be met for each such building without counting any land area twice. In addition, each such building must be served by access, drainage, and utilities determined by the Inspector of Buildings to be functionally equivalent to those required for separate lots by the planning board under its subdivision regulations.

§ 4.2 Special Requirements.

4.2.1.

Flexible Residential Development. Two or more dwellings in the A, GB, CB, HB, or LB Districts may be erected on a single lot without division into separate lots, provided that such use is authorized on special permit by the Board of Appeals, upon its determination that:

The number of dwelling units being erected does not exceed the number which could reasonably be expected through development on separate lots meeting lot area and frontage requirements;

Access, drainage, and utility service to each dwelling is functionally equivalent to that required for separate lots under the Planning Board's Subdivision Regulations; and

Both side and rear yards of the parcel shall meet rear yard requirements, and dwellings on the same lot shall be separated by no less than twice the side yard requirement.

4.2.2.

Corner Visibility. At all street intersections in residential or limited business districts, a triangular sight protection area is hereby established, bounded by the exterior lines of intersecting streets and a line joining points on such lines which are twenty-five feet from their point of intersection (or in the case of a rounded corner, from the point of intersection of their tangents). Within that area, the following restrictions apply.

No buildings or portions thereof shall be located.

No nonbuilding structure and no open display, storage, or other open use shall be located unless the Inspector of Buildings determines that there will be no interference with traffic visibility across the corner.

Trees, shrubs, and other plantings shall similarly be located and trimmed to avoid interference with traffic visibility.

Norwood City Zoning Code

SECTION 4

Dimensional Requirements

§ 4.1 General Requirements.

4.1.1.

[Amended 3-21-2024 STM by Art. 4]

TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
District	Min. Lot Area	Min. Lot Frontage	Max. Lot Cover	Min. Open Space	Max. Floor Area Ratio	Required Lot Width Through Building or Structure	Min. Front Setback	Min. Side Yard	Min. Rear Yard	Max. Building Height
S2	15,000 sf	125 ft	25%	25%	No limit	125 ft	30 ft	20 ft⁴	35 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S1	12,500 sf	100 ft	25%	25%	No limit	100 ft	30 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S	10,000 sf	90 ft	25%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
G	10,000 sf¹	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
A	10,000 sf²	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
CB	5,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	0%	No limit	20 ft	0 ft¹¹	0 ft⁷	10ft	40 ft
BPH	10,000 sf² ³	100 ft³	80%	20%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft¹⁶	20 ft¹⁷	30 ft¹⁸	60 ft¹⁵
NSC MUOD	10,000 sf	50 ft	80%	10%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft	30 ft	30 ft	60 ft
LB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
GB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
O	3 acres³	250 ft³	20%	40%	0.5	250 ft	100 ft	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	30ft
LM	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
LMA	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
M	10,000 sf	50 ft³	70%	10%	0.67	50 ft	0 ft¹³	10 ft⁹	10 ft⁹	40 ft¹⁵
LSDD	3 acres³	250 ft³	70%	25%	No Limit	250 ft	50 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	80 ft²⁰
MSOD	See Section 9.9				No limit	See Section 9.9
MCMOD	See Section 9.5				No limit	See Section 9.5

4.1.2.

Notes to Table of Dimensional Requirements. These notes shall have the force and effect of law.

7,500 square feet per dwelling unit if that results in more than the basic minimum.

For multifamily dwellings and mixed use buildings, the permitted maximum density is as follows:

District	Density
A	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
CB	5,000 sf plus 2,570 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
BPH	See Section 9.4.12 for density allowed by Special Permit
NSC-MUOD	See Section 9.8.8
LB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
GB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit

Note: changes to subsection 4 apply to the side yard requirement for the S2 – Single Residential 2 District.

Note: changes to subsection 6 applies to side yard requirements for the G – General Residential District and A – Multifamily Residential District.

But not less than 10 feet from a residence district boundary. Any yard, if provided, shall be not less than 10 feet.

But not less than 150 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

But not less than 75 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

10.

11.

Increase to 20 feet for any part of a building within 200 feet of a residential district having frontage on the same street in the same block.

12.

Increase to 150 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

13.

Increase to 75 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

14.

15.

16.

Parking is not allowed in the front yard setback and must meet the streetscape requirements in Section 6.4.

17.

In the BPH district, the minimum side yard setback can be reduced to zero where adjacent properties have a shared driveway, internal access or shared parking facilities.

18.

Maximum size accessory building; Shown is a detached 24’ x 24’ two-car garage.

Example of inappropriate accessory building located in a residential district on Dean Street near Tamworth Road.

19.

20.

4.1.3.

Front Setbacks.

Corner and Through Lots. Front setbacks must be maintained from each street on which a lot abuts.

4.1.4.

4.1.5.

Exceptions.

Inconsequential Change. Lot line changes to nonconforming lots are allowed provided that they create neither additional lots nor create an increase in any nonconformity.

§ 4.2 Special Requirements.

4.2.1.

The number of dwelling units being erected does not exceed the number which could reasonably be expected through development on separate lots meeting lot area and frontage requirements;

Access, drainage, and utility service to each dwelling is functionally equivalent to that required for separate lots under the Planning Board's Subdivision Regulations; and

Both side and rear yards of the parcel shall meet rear yard requirements, and dwellings on the same lot shall be separated by no less than twice the side yard requirement.

4.2.2.

No buildings or portions thereof shall be located.

Trees, shrubs, and other plantings shall similarly be located and trimmed to avoid interference with traffic visibility.

Norwood City Zoning Code

SECTION 4

Dimensional Requirements

§ 4.1 General Requirements.

4.1.1.

[Amended 3-21-2024 STM by Art. 4]

TABLE OF DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
District	Min. Lot Area	Min. Lot Frontage	Max. Lot Cover	Min. Open Space	Max. Floor Area Ratio	Required Lot Width Through Building or Structure	Min. Front Setback	Min. Side Yard	Min. Rear Yard	Max. Building Height
S2	15,000 sf	125 ft	25%	25%	No limit	125 ft	30 ft	20 ft⁴	35 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S1	12,500 sf	100 ft	25%	25%	No limit	100 ft	30 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
S	10,000 sf	90 ft	25%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁵	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
G	10,000 sf¹	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
A	10,000 sf²	90 ft	35%	25%	No limit	90 ft	20 ft	15 ft⁶	30 ft¹⁰	30 ft
CB	5,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	0%	No limit	20 ft	0 ft¹¹	0 ft⁷	10ft	40 ft
BPH	10,000 sf² ³	100 ft³	80%	20%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft¹⁶	20 ft¹⁷	30 ft¹⁸	60 ft¹⁵
NSC MUOD	10,000 sf	50 ft	80%	10%	No limit	50 ft	20 ft	30 ft	30 ft	60 ft
LB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
GB	10,000 sf²	20 ft	80%	10%	0.5	20 ft	0 ft⁸	0 ft⁷	10 ft¹⁰	30 ft
O	3 acres³	250 ft³	20%	40%	0.5	250 ft	100 ft	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	30ft
LM	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
LMA	3 acres³	250 ft³	50%	25%	0.67	250 ft	50 ft¹²	25 ft⁸	25 ft⁸	60 ft
M	10,000 sf	50 ft³	70%	10%	0.67	50 ft	0 ft¹³	10 ft⁹	10 ft⁹	40 ft¹⁵
LSDD	3 acres³	250 ft³	70%	25%	No Limit	250 ft	50 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	25 ft¹⁹	80 ft²⁰
MSOD	See Section 9.9				No limit	See Section 9.9
MCMOD	See Section 9.5				No limit	See Section 9.5

4.1.2.

Notes to Table of Dimensional Requirements. These notes shall have the force and effect of law.

7,500 square feet per dwelling unit if that results in more than the basic minimum.

For multifamily dwellings and mixed use buildings, the permitted maximum density is as follows:

District	Density
A	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
CB	5,000 sf plus 2,570 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
BPH	See Section 9.4.12 for density allowed by Special Permit
NSC-MUOD	See Section 9.8.8
LB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit
GB	10,000 sf plus 2,235 sf per dwelling unit after the first unit

Note: changes to subsection 4 apply to the side yard requirement for the S2 – Single Residential 2 District.

Note: changes to subsection 6 applies to side yard requirements for the G – General Residential District and A – Multifamily Residential District.

But not less than 10 feet from a residence district boundary. Any yard, if provided, shall be not less than 10 feet.

But not less than 150 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

But not less than 75 feet from a residential district boundary and parking is prohibited within 30 feet of the rear property line. No yard required abutting a railroad right-of-way.

10.

11.

Increase to 20 feet for any part of a building within 200 feet of a residential district having frontage on the same street in the same block.

12.

Increase to 150 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

13.

Increase to 75 feet where the opposite side of the street is in a residential district (including any in an adjacent municipality).

14.

15.

16.

Parking is not allowed in the front yard setback and must meet the streetscape requirements in Section 6.4.

17.

In the BPH district, the minimum side yard setback can be reduced to zero where adjacent properties have a shared driveway, internal access or shared parking facilities.

18.

Maximum size accessory building; Shown is a detached 24’ x 24’ two-car garage.

Example of inappropriate accessory building located in a residential district on Dean Street near Tamworth Road.

19.

20.

4.1.3.

Front Setbacks.

Corner and Through Lots. Front setbacks must be maintained from each street on which a lot abuts.

4.1.4.

4.1.5.

Exceptions.

Inconsequential Change. Lot line changes to nonconforming lots are allowed provided that they create neither additional lots nor create an increase in any nonconformity.

§ 4.2 Special Requirements.

4.2.1.

The number of dwelling units being erected does not exceed the number which could reasonably be expected through development on separate lots meeting lot area and frontage requirements;

Access, drainage, and utility service to each dwelling is functionally equivalent to that required for separate lots under the Planning Board's Subdivision Regulations; and

Both side and rear yards of the parcel shall meet rear yard requirements, and dwellings on the same lot shall be separated by no less than twice the side yard requirement.

4.2.2.

No buildings or portions thereof shall be located.

Trees, shrubs, and other plantings shall similarly be located and trimmed to avoid interference with traffic visibility.