Winchester City Zoning Code
SECTION 2
0 DISTRICTS
2.1 Establishment.
[FTM Art. 7, 11/7/2024]
The Town is hereby divided into the following underlying zoning districts:
2.1.1.
Residential Districts.
1.
Multiple Family Residential Districts A (RA-120).
2.
Apartment House Residential Districts B (RB-20).
3.
Residential Districts A (RDA-20).
4.
Residential Districts B (RDB-10).
5.
Residential Districts C (RDC-15).
6.
General Residence Districts (RG-6.5).
7.
Main Street Mixed-Use District (MSMD).
2.1.2.
Business Districts.
1.
General Business Districts 1 (GBD-1).
2.
Center Business Districts (CBD).
2.1.3.
Industrial Districts.
1.
Limited Light Industrial Districts (IL).
2.1.4.
Special Districts.
1.
Conservancy-Institutional Districts (SCI).
2.2 Overlay Districts.
[STM Art. 4, 4/29/2024; FTM Art. 7, 11/7/2024]
In addition, the following overlay districts are established and set forth in Section 8, herein.
2.2.1.
Floodplain Overlay District (FPOD). See Section 8.1.
2.2.2.
Independent Elderly Housing Overlay District (IEHOD). See Section 8.2.
2.2.3.
Adult Use Overlay District (AUOD). See Section 8.3.
2.2.4.
Wireless Communications Facilities Overlay District (WCFOD). See Section 8.4.
2.2.5.
Intentionally Left Blank.
2.2.6.
Planned Residential District (PRD). See Section 8.6.
2.2.7.
Attached Residential Cluster Development Overlay District (ARCDOD). See Section 8.7.
2.2.8.
Health Services Overlay District (HSOD). See Section 8.8.
2.2.9.
Large Scale Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installation Overlay District. See Section 8.9.
2.2.10.
MBTA Overlay District (MOD). See Section 8.11.
2.3 Official Zoning Map.
2.3.1.
Establishment.
The location and boundaries of the district set forth under Section Section 2.0 are hereby established as shown on a map entitled, “Official Zoning Map of 1973, Town of Winchester, Massachusetts”, revised which map, with all explanatory matter thereon, is declared to be part of this Bylaw hereafter referred to as Official Zoning Map. The Official Zoning Map shall be identified by the signatures of the members of the Planning Board attested by the Town Clerk and shall bear the seal of the Town under the following words: “This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in Section 2.3.1 of the Zoning Bylaw, Town of Winchester, Massachusetts”, together with the date of adoption of this Bylaw.
2.3.2.
Amendments.
Changes may be made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the Official Zoning Map, in accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw and Chapter 40A, Section 5, General Laws. Following approval by the Town Meeting and the Attorney General, the Town Engineer shall promptly revise a Compiled Zoning Map to portray such amendment with suitable tabular notation of all amendments reflected on such map.
2.3.3.
Compiled Zoning Map.
The Town Engineer, under the direction of the Winchester Planning Board, shall annually during the month of January publish the Compiled Zoning Map. This Compiled Zoning Map shall be prima facie evidence of the Official Zoning Map with all amendments thereto. The original zoning map, entitled “Official Zoning Map of 1973” and original records of subsequent changes or additions thereto shall be kept by the Town Clerk. In event of a conflict between the Compiled Zoning Map and the original zoning map or original records of subsequent changes or additions, the original records shall take precedence.
2.4 Rules for Interpretation of District Boundaries.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:
2.4.1.
Streets.
Boundaries indicated as following the centerlines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow the centerlines of such streets, highways, or alleys.
2.4.2.
Lines.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following plotted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.
2.4.3.
Town Lines.
Boundaries indicated as approximately following town lines shall be construed as following such town lines.
2.4.4.
Railroads.
Lines shown following railroad lines shall in fact follow a sideline of the railroad right-of-way.
2.4.5.
Shorelines.
Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow the limit of private ownership. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines.
2.4.6.
Parallel.
Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in Sections 2.4.1 through 2.4.5 above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map shall be determined by the scale of the map, as interpreted by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
2.4.7.
Others.
Where physical or structural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map, or in other circumstances not covered by Sections 2.4.1 through 2.4.6 above, the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall interpret the district boundaries.
2.5 Lots Split by District Boundaries.
2.5.1.
Part in Adjacent Town.
When a lot in one ownership is situated in part in the Town of Winchester and in part in an adjacent city or town, the regulations and restrictions of this Bylaw shall be applied to that portion of such lot as lies in the Town of Winchester in the same manner as if the entire lot were situated therein.
2.5.2.
Part in Adjacent District.
When a lot in one ownership is situated in more than one residential district, the regulations and restrictions of this Bylaw shall apply to the more restrictive of such district, unless 80 percent or more is in the less restrictive district, in which case the regulations of that district shall apply.