The regulations for each district pertaining to minimum lot size, minimum lot area per dwelling unit, minimum lot width, maximum height of buildings, minimum percentage of open space per lot, minimum front yard depth, minimum side yard width, minimum rear yard depth, and minimum distance between buildings, shall be as specified in the following “Table of Dimensional Requirements”, and shall be subject to the further provisions of this Section 4.0.

Except as otherwise provided in herein, every building hereafter erected or moved shall be on a lot having required street frontage under this Bylaw.

No part of a yard, or other open space, or off-street parking or loading space required about or in connection with any building for the purpose of complying with this Bylaw, shall be included as part of a yard, open space, or off-street parking or loading space similarly required for any other building.

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this Bylaw shall be reduced in dimension or area below the requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this Bylaw shall meet the requirements established by this Bylaw.

All territory which may hereafter be annexed to the Town shall be considered to be in the RDA-20 District until otherwise classified.

The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is computed by dividing the total floor area, based on the outside dimensions at each story, of all buildings on the lot by the total area of the lot.

The maximum Floor Area Ratio for these districts is as follows.

In the Multiple Family Residential District A (RA-120) the allowed density shall be three (3) dwelling units per acre. A maximum of eight (8) units per acre may be allowed by special permit in conformance with Section 7.1 - Affordable Housing Incentives. Apartment houses restricted by law to serve elderly citizens may reduce the above requirements as follows.

In the Apartment House Residential District B (RB-20), no project shall exceed a density of 20 dwelling units per acre; a maximum of 50 dwelling units per acre may be allowed by special permit in conformance with Section 7.1 - Affordable Housing Incentives.

The lot area required in the RB-20 district for any new building and the lot area required in the RB-20 district in determining lot area per dwelling unit for any new building shall not include any part of a lot that is required by any other conforming or nonconforming building or use to comply with the requirements of this Bylaw, or was required by the applicable dimensional requirements prior to the effective date the land was placed in the RB-20 district.

In the Planned Residential District (PRD) the density of dwelling units shall not exceed two (2) units per acre unless the applicant designates at least 15 percent of the units above the two units per acre standard for use in conjunction with one or more state or federal housing assistance programs; see Section 7.1.3 for a complete description of the required affordable housing criteria and procedures.

In no instance shall the total number of dwelling units exceed a density of three (3) dwelling units per acre in any PRD special permit project.

In the RDA, RDB, RDC and RG Districts, in order to maintain the appearance of the top of the building as a half story, the total width of all dormers on a single roof plane above the second story shall not exceed 50 percent of the width of that roof plane without a special permit under Section 9.4.2, and no other projections that increase habitable space above the second story shall be allowed.

Such buildings existing at the time of adoption of this Bylaw may be enlarged to exceed the maximum building height of not more than three sides of the building where.

The measurement of lot width shall be shown on a plan approved and endorsed by the Planning Board.

Lots having one half or more frontage on a circular turnaround or curve of less than 100 feet radius may be reduced to a minimum frontage of 50 feet, provided that the minimum lot width otherwise required is maintained at the front yard setback line.

In the IL Districts in particular instances, the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit permitting a principal building to be erected on a lot having less area or frontage, or both, than the minimum requirements specified in the Table of Dimensional Requirements, if at the time of the adoption of said minimum requirements such lot was lawfully laid out and recorded by plan or deed and did not join other land of the same owner available for use in connection with such lot, provided that the Board determines that such special permit can be granted without substantial derogation from the intent and purpose of this Bylaw.

In SCI Districts in particular instances the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit permitting buildings owned and occupied at the time of the effective date of adoption or amendments of this Bylaw for a public, charitable or other purpose lawful in such district to be altered, repaired, rebuilt, or added to in a manner failing to conform to the dimensional requirements set forth in the Table of Dimensional Requirements or the floor area regulations set forth in Section 4.2.1 or permitting uses accessory to such buildings which fail to conform to the area limitations of Section 3.3.1 subject however to such conditions or limitations as the Board in its decision may impose as in its judgment are reasonably required to minimize any departures from the general purpose and intent of such requirements, regulations or limitations.

In Residential Districts, the Board of Appeals may grant a special permit permitting alterations to existing structures which encroach on the side or rear yard requirements of the district or to the front yard requirements, providing that:

Tennis courts are allowed, provided no portion of the playing surface including fences shall be within the required front, side or rear yards. If a lot cannot reasonably accommodate a tennis court without infringing the side or rear yard requirements, the Board of Appeal may, by Special Permit, allow location of a tennis court within the side or rear yard up to half the distance required from the side or rear lot line.

Swimming pools are allowed as set forth in the Table of Use Regulations, subject to the following:

The following requirements shall apply:

The following requirements shall apply:

Natural resources and historic resources are important and character-defining features to the Town of Winchester. Allowing for more flexible zoning to keep natural resources and historic resources from being demolished is a key feature to the continued preservation goals of Town. To that end, this Section 4.5 aims to allow for a waiver of dimensional controls to preserve existing natural and historic resources.

For the purpose of preserving existing natural and historic resources on a lot, the Zoning Board of Appeals may by special permit allow reduced frontage, lot width, lot area and/or side and rear yard setbacks on one or more lots; provided, that:

The Planning Board shall submit to the Zoning Board of Appeals written recommendations including at least (1) an evaluation and opinion of the appropriateness of the design for any new structure in relation to the existing natural or historic resource, (2) an evaluation of the proposed development as to whether the lot layout and design constitute a suitable development for the neighborhood, and (3) a recommendation for the granting or denial of the special permit, including recommendations for modifications, restrictions or requirements to be imposed as conditions.

Where applicable, the Historical Commission, Design Review Committee, and the Tree Warden and/or the Conservation Agent shall submit to the Board a written evaluation of the significance of the existing natural or historic resource, an opinion of the appropriateness of the proposed lot layout and setbacks requested, and an evaluation or recommendation of the features that should be included in a preservation plan.

A special permit shall be granted under this section and under Section 9.4.2 only if the Zoning Board of Appeals finds: (1) The reduced frontage, lot width, lot area and/or side and rear yard setbacks are necessary to preserve the natural and historic resource, (2) a restriction has been shown on the plan of land to be recorded providing that the reduced frontage, lot area and/or side and rear yard setback(s) and any other lots created are subject to a special permit recorded therewith, (3) the existing resource shall be preserved consistent with a perpetual preservation restriction approved as part of or as a condition to the special permit.