A self-contained housing unit, inclusive of sleeping, cooking, and sanitary facilities located on the same lot as the principal dwelling, either within the principal dwelling or in an accessory structure and accessory to that dwelling, that maintains a separate entrance, either directly from the outside or through an entry hall or corridor shared with the principal dwelling sufficient to meet the requirements of the State Building Code for safe egress.

The subordinate use of a building or premises for a purpose customarily incidental to a main or principal use permitted in the district in which it is located.

An establishment providing for the care, supervision and protection of individuals over the age of 18 who are in need of such care.

A place of work for an artist, artisan or craftsperson, including persons engaged in the application, teaching or performance of fine arts such as, but not limited to, drawing, vocal or instrumental music, painting, sculpture and writing, and may include the dwelling of the artist.

A structure or complex of structures for the visual and performing arts.

A flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.

A dwelling in which the primary resident provides overnight accommodations and meals for no more than four rooms for compensation.

Any dwelling in which more than three persons, either individually or as families, are housed or lodged for hire with or without meals. A rooming house or a furnished rooming house shall be deemed to be a boardinghouse.

A small retail shop that specializes in gifts, fashionable clothes, accessories or food, for example.

Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel. The word "building" shall be construed, where the context allows, as though followed by the words "or parts thereof".

A sign that is applied or affixed to a building.

The transacting or carrying on of a trade or commercial enterprise, not manufacturing, with a view to profit or for a livelihood.

An establishment within a building that is oriented toward providing services to other businesses, although it may also serve the general public. Examples of these services include but may not be limited to blueprinting, copying and printing services, mailing and mailbox services, security system services, soils and materials testing laboratories and other similar services.

A parcel of land used or intended to be used, let or rented for temporary short-term occupancy (not to exceed 90 days) by campers or transient tourists utilizing tents, recreational vehicles, trailer coaches, park model trailers or other types of movable or temporary shelter.

A structure containing facilities for washing automobiles with automatic or semi-automatic application of cleaners, brushes, rinse water and heat for drying.

A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual input.

A commercial or nonprofit child day-care facility designed and approved to accommodate 15 or more children. This may include infant centers, preschools and school-age child day-care facilities.

That portion of a lot comprised exclusively of connected upland and consisting of such upland square footage/acreage equal to or greater than the minimum lot size requirement for the zoning district in which the lot is situated; said upland shall exclude any freshwater wetland as delineated per Chapter 286, Wetlands, of the Town bylaws and any pond or stream.

A lot bounded on two or more sides by intersecting streets or ways.

A facility licensed under the relevant state and federal statutes for the production and distribution of malt, spirituous or vinous beverages. Such establishment may include on-site sampling, the sale of permitted beverages produced on the premises to consumers for off-site consumption, and the sale of commercial goods branded by the establishment. A tasting room, not to exceed 50% of the building's gross square footage, that allows patrons to sample or consume beverages that are produced on premises is permitted as an accessory use. The establishment may also host marketing events, special events and/or factory tours. May include facilities for customers to brew on-premises for personal consumption off-site as an accessory use.

A marijuana cultivator comprised of residents of the commonwealth organized as a limited-liability company or limited-liability partnership under the laws of the commonwealth, or an appropriate business structure as determined by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, and that is licensed to cultivate, obtain, manufacture, process, package and brand marijuana and marijuana products to deliver marijuana to marijuana establishments but not to consumers.

Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

A sign associated with drive-thru windows or kiosks and directed to drive-thru traffic only.

A means of access and egress to the principal area of development of a lot, terminating at the lot line providing legal frontage on an approved way, and contained totally within the perimeter of said lot.

A building designed or used as the living quarters for one or more families. The terms "dwelling," "one-family dwelling," "two-family dwelling," "multifamily dwelling" or "dwelling group" shall not be deemed to include a trailer coach, manufactured home, house trailer or any similar term used in the business of selling trailer, trailer coach parks, campgrounds, tourist home or boardinghouse

Retail and service establishments which may offer a wide variety of materials and equipment for sale and/or rental.

One or more persons who live together in one dwelling unit and maintain a common household. It may consist of a single person or of two or more persons, whether or not related by blood, marriage or adoption. It may also include domestic servants and gratuitous guests.

The seasonal selling or offering for sale at retail of vegetables or produce, flowers, orchard products and similar agricultural products in a designated area, where the vendors are the individuals who have raised the produce or taken the same on consignment for retail sale.

An establishment which serves food or beverages for immediate consumption either on the premises or to be taken out for consumption elsewhere. A fast casual restaurant is usually characterized as an establishment in which food is cooked on a customer-demand basis, payment is required prior to consumption and seating or other physical accommodations for on-premises customer dining, with limited or no table service (no waiters or waitresses), is provided (or that does not offer full table service, but promises a higher quality of food with fewer frozen or processed ingredients than other fast-food restaurants). Examples of this type of facility may include, but are not limited to, establishments selling sandwiches, salads, soups, fresh baked breads and other freshly prepared dishes. May include a drive-thru window either by special permit or by right as noted elsewhere in this bylaw.

An establishment where the principal method of operating includes: (1) sale of prepared, ready-to-consume food and beverages in paper, plastic or other disposable containers; or (2) service of food and beverages directly to a customer in a motor vehicle. Bakeries, delicatessens, confectioneries and other similar, retail establishments, which incidentally sell retail food and beverages in disposable containers for off-site consumption, are not fast-food establishments. A fast-food establishment may have a drive-thru window subject to the standards outlined in this bylaw.

A man-made construction used to define an area, boundary or line of demarcation.

A commercial enterprise conducted on a temporary or occasional basis at which antiques, used goods, curios, works of art, rummage or similar items are displayed and sold during less than, or other than, usual business hours and at which such items and the furniture, fixtures or equipment used to display them are typically, but not necessarily, removed from the place of display and sale at the close of each business day; provided that the words "flea market" shall not include the sale of such items by a:

The total floor area of all floors of a building, including basement and mezzanines (measured to the interior walls thereof), stairwells, corridors and covered porches.

That finished area within a dwelling which has a minimum headroom of seven feet. Above the first floor, such space shall be counted only if it is connected to the floor below by a permanent inside stairway. Porches, verandahs, unfinished basement rooms, garages or any form of attached accessory structure shall not be counted.

A sign principally supported by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground. May also be referenced as a "ground" or "monument sign."

The horizontal distance measured along the front street lot line between the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the front lot line, which provides safe, convenient and meaningful vehicular access to the building portion of the lot. Frontage for the purpose of this bylaw shall be continuous frontage and in the case of corner lots shall be measured on the front lot line. This will be the street address for the property. Calculation of the frontage dimensional requirements shall be in conformance with Part 4, Article XIV, Intensity Regulations.

An accessory building used only for storage of motor vehicles.

A building, other than a private garage, available to the public and operated for gain, and which is used for the storage, repair, rental, lubrication, washing, servicing, adjusting or equipping of motor vehicles.

A minimum 120-acre tract of land with at least 60 upland acres laid out for at least nine holes for playing the game of golf. Accessory uses shall be limited to: a clubhouse, a restaurant with a maximum 200 seating capacity, pro shop, instruction areas, driving range and groundskeeper facilities. There shall be a minimum 100-foot buffer from all lot lines to the rough of the course and a minimum 300-foot buffer from all lot lines to any structure in excess of 100 square feet.

An establishment wherein are located health and fitness training activities: artificial tanning, weight training, aerobics, running, jogging, racquetball, handball, tennis, squash, martial arts, massage when performed by a licensed massage therapist, bathing, whether in swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, whirlpools or vapor baths.

The vertical distance of the highest point of the roof above the mean finished grade adjoining the building, excluding penthouses, bulkheads and other permitted superstructures above the roof.

Any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof. The conducting of a clinic, hospital, barber shop, beauty shop, tea room, tourist home, animal hospital or any similar use shall not be deemed to be a home occupation.

An institution providing primary health services and medical or surgical care to persons, primarily inpatients, suffering from illness, disease, injury, deformity and other physical or mental conditions and including, as an integral part of the institution, related facilities, such as laboratories, outpatient facilities, training facilities, medical offices and staff residences.

Facilities with guest rooms or suites provided with or without kitchen facilities, rented to the general public for transient lodging (less than 30 days). Hotels provide access to most guest rooms from an interior walkway, and typically include a variety of services in addition to lodging; for example, restaurants, meeting facilities, personal services, etc. Motels provide access to most guest rooms from an exterior walkway. Inns are commonly distinguished from a hotel or motel by their size and purportedly more personal atmosphere. Inns are often contained in whole or in part in buildings that were previously private residences. May include accessory guest facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor athletic/fitness facilities and accessory retail uses.

Includes all areas covered by buildings, sidewalks, driveways and parking areas and any other areas that prevent absorption of stormwater into the ground at a rate less than 120 minutes per inch, but not including retention or detention ponds.

Any establishment whose main purpose is to provide the general public with an amusing or entertaining activity. Uses may include but are not limited to arcade, arena, art gallery, art studio, art center, assembly hall, athletic and health clubs and facilities, auditorium, bowling alley, exhibit hall, gymnasium, museum, performance theater, pool or billiard hall, skating rink, swimming pools, tennis facilities, trampoline parks and other similar uses. Such facility may also provide other regular organized or franchised events, such as children's amusements, dance studios and instruction, music schools and instruction, martial arts studios and instruction and other similar type uses. May include accessory uses such as snack bar, restaurant, retail sales or related sports, health or fitness items and other support facilities.

A facility located within a building that focuses on entertainment and experiences in a family atmosphere and may include games, billiards, experiential activities, play zones, sports simulators or other similar activities.

Office-type facilities characterized by high employee densities, and occupied by businesses engaged in information processing, and other computer-dependent and/or telecommunications-based activities. Examples of these include:

A lot, parcel of land or structure, or part thereof, used primarily for the collecting, storage and sale of wastepaper, rags, scrap metal or discarded material, or for the collecting, dismantling, storage and salvaging of machinery or vehicles not in running condition and for the sale of parts thereof.

Scientific laboratories for research and development which may pertain to medical/scientific research and/or product development.

A commercial solar facility whose primary purpose is electrical generation for the wholesale electricity market. It includes service and access roads, equipment, machinery and structures utilized in connection with the conversion of solar energy into electrical power with a rated nameplate capacity of greater than 100 kW/0.1 MW.

Any institution, whether conducted for charity or profit, which is advertised, announced or maintained for the express or implied purpose of providing three or more individuals admitted thereto with long-term resident, nursing, convalescent or rehabilitative care; supervision and care incident to old age for ambulatory persons; or retirement home care for elderly persons. Long-term care facility shall include convalescent or nursing homes, rest homes, infirmaries, sanitariums and assisted-living facilities.

A single tract of land held in identical ownership throughout, and which is bound by streets, ponds, waterways or by land of other owners. A "corner lot" is a lot at the junction of, and fronting on, two or more intersecting streets.

The amount of the lot covered by the principal buildings and structures and those accessory buildings and structures which are clearly and necessarily associated with the principal use, excluding decorative or ornamental features as well as drives and parking areas not contained within a parking structure.

The dividing line between lots.

A structure designed, built and installed in conformance with the National Construction and Safety Standards, which is transportable in one or more sections and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling unit, with or without a permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities and includes plumbing, heating, air conditioning and electrical systems contained therein.

Any lot or tract of land upon which three or more structures occupied for dwelling purposes are located, including any buildings, structures, fixtures and equipment used in connection with the community.

All parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, not excepted below and whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; and resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin, including tetrahydrocannabinol as defined in MGL c. 94C, § 1; provided, however, that "marijuana" shall not include:

An entity licensed to cultivate, process and package marijuana, to deliver marijuana to marijuana establishments and to transfer marijuana to other marijuana establishments, but not to consumers. A craft marijuana cultivator cooperative is a type of marijuana cultivator.

A marijuana cultivator, independent testing laboratory, marijuana research facility, marijuana manufacturer, marijuana retailer or any other type of licensed marijuana-related business, except a registered marijuana dispensary and off-site medical marijuana dispensary.

A laboratory that is licensed by the Cannabis Control Commission and is:

An entity licensed to obtain, manufacture, process and package marijuana and marijuana products, to deliver marijuana and marijuana products to marijuana establishments and to transfer marijuana and marijuana products to other marijuana establishments, but not to consumers.

Products that have been manufactured and contain marijuana or an extract from marijuana, including concentrated forms of marijuana and products composed of marijuana and other ingredients that are intended for use or consumption, including edible products, beverages, topical products, ointments, oils and tinctures.

An entity licensed to engage in research projects by the Cannabis Control Commission.

An entity licensed to purchase and transport cannabis or marijuana product from marijuana establishments and to sell or otherwise transfer this product to marijuana establishments and to consumers.

An entity, not otherwise licensed by the Cannabis Control Commission, that is licensed to purchase, obtain and possess marijuana and marijuana products solely for the purpose of transporting, temporary storage, sale and distribution to marijuana establishments, not for sale to consumers.

All land as portrayed on the Town of Sturbridge Medical Marijuana Overlay District Map, dated February 12, 2014, an overlay map to the official Sturbridge Zoning Map. As an overlay district, all requirements of the underlying zoning district shall remain in full force and effect, except as may be specifically superseded per the Medical Marijuana Overlay District Bylaw.[1] If the provisions of the MMOD are silent on a zoning regulation, the requirements of the underlying district shall apply. If the provisions of the MMOD conflict with the requirements of the underlying district, the requirements of the MMOD shall control.

A building that contains establishments dispensing health services.

Within the Rural Residential District, this shall mean an establishment operating under a farmer-brewery license as provided for in MGL c. 138, § 19C, not to exceed 5,000 barrels annually. Such use shall only be permitted on parcels containing a minimum of 20 acres. Within any Commercial District where such use is permitted, a microbrewery shall be defined as a facility that prepares handcrafted beer intended for retail and/or on-premises tasting and consumption.

A co-located marijuana establishment that can be either a Tier 1 marijuana cultivator or product manufacturer or both pursuant to state regulations, in compliance with the operating procedures for each license. A microbusiness that is a marijuana product manufacturer may purchase no more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana per year from other marijuana establishments.

See "manufactured home."

See "hotel/motel/inn."

A building containing three or more dwelling units, including units that are located over one another.

A dwelling used or occupied by three or more families, including apartment houses, and condominiums.

A property owned by an individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other such entity, with a portion or all of said property subdivided into individual areas and/or buildings rented to others for the purpose of conducting independent business.

Public or quasi-public facilities, including aquariums, arboretums, art galleries and exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums and planetariums, with no retail sales activities other than an accessory gift/book shop and accessory food sales. Does not include retail art galleries where artworks on display may be purchased by patrons.

A club conducted for a common purpose to pursue common goals, interests or activities, usually characterized by certain membership qualifications, payment of dues, regular meetings, a constitution and bylaws and not intending or intended to earn a profit.

Uses legally existing at the adoption of this bylaw or any amendment thereto, but which do not conform to the requirements for the zone in which they are located.

A registered marijuana dispensary that is located off-site from the cultivation/processing facility (and controlled and operated by the same registered and approved entity which operates an affiliated RMD) but which serves only to dispense the processed marijuana, related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients or their personal caregivers in accordance with the provisions of 935 CMR 501, or such other state regulation, as the case may be.

A space not less than 200 square feet in a structure or on a lot for the parking of a motor vehicle, including necessary access.

A recreational facility conducted for commercial purposes and primarily outside of a building with any of the uses included in commercial indoor recreation and also including uses such as athletic fields, miniature golf, batting cages, equestrian centers and other similar uses. May include accessory uses such as snack bar, restaurant, retail sales or related sports, health or fitness items and other support facilities. Shall not include motorsports, go-carts or other motorized commercial activities or firing ranges or similar uses.

Any public or private area, under or outside a building or structure, designed and used for parking motor vehicles, including parking lots, garages, private driveways and legally designated areas of public streets.

Those which administer personal services, including nail salons, tanning salons, day spas, tattoo shops, piercing, aromatherapy, skin clinics, medical spas, pet grooming, tailoring, shoe repair and other similar uses.

Professional offices, including facilities occupied by businesses that provide professional services and/or are engaged in the production of intellectual property. Examples of these include: accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services; advertising agencies; attorneys; commercial art and design services; counseling services; design services, including architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, urban planning; education, scientific and research organizations; financial management and investment counseling; management and public relations services; media postproduction services; news services; photographers and photography studios; secretarial, stenographic, word processing and temporary clerical employee services; security and commodity brokers; and writers and artists offices.

A recreational facility open to the general public, owned and operated by a governmental agency.

The maximum rated output of electric power production equipment. The manufacturer typically specifies this output with a "nameplate" on the equipment.

Also known as a "medical marijuana treatment center," means an entity registered under 935 CMR 501.050, or such other state regulation, as the case may be, that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes [including development of related products such as edible marijuana-infused products ("MIPs"), tinctures, aerosols, oils or ointments], transfers, transports, sells, distributes, dispenses or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies or educational materials to registered qualifying patients or their personal caregivers. Unless otherwise specified, RMD refers to the site(s) of dispensing, cultivation and preparation of marijuana.

An establishment which serves food or beverages for immediate consumption primarily on the premises, with only a minor portion, if any, of the food being taken out of the establishment. A full-service restaurant is characterized as an establishment in which food is cooked or prepared on the premises on a customer-demand basis, which requires payment after consumption, and provides seating and tables for on-premises customer dining with table service (waiters or waitresses). A full-service restaurant does not contain a drive-thru window.

An establishment for the recuperation or treatment of invalid or convalescent persons.

The minimum distance from the street line or property line that a structure and parking area must be set except as regulated under Part 4, Article XVII, and § 300-19.6 of this bylaw.

Any device visible from a public place whose essential purpose and design is to convey either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations.

A building where three or more individual dwelling units are physically connected to like dwellings for at least a portion of one or more of their exterior walls and therefore have no side yard. Single-family attached dwellings may include townhouses in traditional row or other configuration or shape; or individual single-family units meeting at a common lot line. A single-family attached dwelling shall not include any building where any dwelling unit is located above or below any other dwelling unit.

A detached building designed for or occupied exclusively by one family.

A solar facility that has a total rated nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kW/0.1 MW. It includes the equipment, machinery and structures utilized in connection with the conversion of solar energy into electrical power.

A permit allowing an exception to this bylaw provided by § 300-18.2, Zoning Board of Appeals, Subsection B(2).

That portion of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above. For the purpose of this bylaw, where a building is not divided into stories, a story shall be considered to be 15 feet in height, provided that steeples, penthouses, cupolas, stage lofts, etc., shall not be considered as additional stories. A basement or cellar, the ceiling of which extends more than 4 1/2 feet above the average finished grade, shall be a story within the meaning of this bylaw.

The line separating a street from a lot as determined by deeds and plans recorded at the Registry of Deeds.

A combination of materials, assembled at a fixed location to give support or shelter, such as a building, framework, retaining wall, reviewing stand, platform, bin, swimming pool, sign, flagpole, mast for radio and television antenna or the like. The word "structure" shall be construed, where the context allows, as though followed by the words "or parts thereof".

A sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground, are considered temporary signs.

A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided or offered for transient guests for compensation.

A vehicle designed for is designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, seasonal, camping or travel use. It is built on a single trailer chassis and mounted on wheels and made for carrying property on its own structure or for being drawn by a motor vehicle and includes a camper, camp trailer, converted van, bus or other vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, travel trailer, trailer coach and park model whose tongue and axle have not been removed

See "campground."

A building containing two dwelling units.

A modification to the terms of this bylaw which may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in an individual case in accordance with § 300-18.2B(3).

An establishment such as an ice cream or sandwich shop that by design of its physical facilities, service or packaging allows pedestrians to receive a service or obtain a product without entering the establishment.

The minimum distance between side lot lines as measured parallel to frontage and at the point of minimum setback from the street line as specified in this bylaw.

A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to the exterior environment.

A nonprofit establishment intended for youths, characterized by indoor/outdoor recreational activities such as basketball, skating, billiards, card games, arcade games, etc. and/or by support services such as tutoring and counseling.