Bylaws, Zoning, and Regulations
General Information
If you are planning a project on or in a property you currently own or one you are going to purchase, the best way to determine the necessary permits and/or approvals is to contact the Building Inspector early in your planning process. Please note that while the Assessor’s Office classifies properties by Land Use Codes for Tax Classification, a classification by the Assessor's Office does not indicate the current use is an acceptable Zoning Use. Additionally, do not assume a use may be continued when a property transfers to a new owner. Be sure to contact the Building Inspector early in your planning process to confirm acceptable uses for a property.
Click here to visit the Building Inspector's page within the Inspectional Services Department.
Zoning Information
There are three Zoning Districts in Essex: the Downtown Zoning District, the Central Conomo Point Zoning District, and the Southern Conomo Point Zoning District. The rest of the Town is considered to be a General Zoning District. Generally, in that district if a particular property has the requisite amount of area and frontage for a particular use, as prescribed in the Town's Zoning Bylaw, that use may occur at that property, regardless of its location. Information about all of these can be found in Chapter VI of the Town of Essex Bylaws. The following links are provided for your convenience (if the link brings you only to the Bylaws but not the map when accessing from a mobile device, try clearing your cache):
Town of Essex Bylaws
Southern Conomo Point Zoning District Map (6-3.3.1.10)
Central Conomo Point Zoning District Map (6-3.3.2.10)
Essex Downtown Zoning District Map (6-3.3.3.10)
Overlay Districts
There are three overlay districts in Essex: the Wetlands Overlay District, the Flood Plain Overlay District, and a Water Resource Protection Overlay District. To determine whether your property falls into one of these overlay districts, please contact the Building Inspector. Overlay District regulations may be found in Town of Essex Bylaws 6-3.4, linked below for your convenience (if the link brings you only to the Bylaws but not the map when accessing from a mobile device, try clearing your cache):
Overlay District Bylaws (6-3.4)
Scenic Roads
Essex has four designated Scenic Roads: Apple Street, Belcher Street, Choate Street, and Story Street. Changes on scenic roads may be subject to Planning Board review prior to starting the project. The Building Inspector will confirm whether this is required. If you are planning a project on a designated Scenic Road, be sure to contact the Building Inspector and the Tree Warden early in your planning process. Tree Warden responsibilities are handled within the Department of Public Works.
Click here to visit the Building Inspector's page within the Inspectional Services department.
Click here to visit the Board of Public Works page.
Planning Board Rules and Regulations
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 81Q, the Planning Board has the authority to establish additional Rules and Regulations to enable effective and efficient service in its capacity as the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) for the Town. Planning Board Rules and Regulations are required to be kept in the Planning Board office, certified and filed with the Town Clerk, and in the case of Subdivision Control, certified by the Town Clerk and filed with Register of Deeds and Recorder of Land Court. Current Planning Board Rules and Regulations are linked below for your convenience:
Subdivision Control (including Approval Not Required)
Subdivision Control Appendix
Special Permits
Site Plan Review
Consultant Fees