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Accessory Structures

Taunton's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Taunton, Massachusetts, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Taunton bars accessory dwelling units from operating as short-term rentals. Zoning Ordinance § 440-710A states plainly that the accessory dwelling unit shall not be utilized as a short term rental, closing off Airbnb-style bookings for any ADU built under the City's 2019-2025 accessory dwelling rules.

Key details: Rule: ADU shall not be used as a short-term rental. Citation: § 440-710A. Applies to: Every ADU permitted under § 440-710. Enforcement: Zoning Enforcement Officer / City Planner. Penalty: Up to $300 per offense/day.

Renting out an accessory dwelling unit as a short-term rental, on a platform such as Airbnb or Vrbo or otherwise, violates § 440-710A regardless of rental length or frequency. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can order the rental use stopped and pursue the citywide zoning penalty at § 440-301B: up to $300 per offense in court, or noncriminal fines of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $300 for a third and each subsequent offense, with each day of the violation counted separately.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Taunton actively enforces its adu rental restrictions requirements.

Shed & Carport Rules

Taunton lets small accessory structures like sheds skip a building permit, but caps their shape and cuts required setbacks for the smallest ones. Under Zoning Ordinance § 440-711, a structure's length can't exceed three times its width, and structures of 120 square feet or less get two-thirds off the district's normal side and rear setbacks.

Key details: Building permit: Not required for accessory structures. Length-to-width ratio: Max 3 to 1. Reduced setback: 2/3 of district standard, structures under 120 sq ft. Application fee: $25. Larger structures: Full district setback applies.

Building a shed or other accessory structure with a length-to-width ratio over three to one, or claiming the reduced two-thirds setback for a structure over the 120-square-foot threshold, violates § 440-711. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can require the structure be relocated or altered and the City can pursue the general zoning penalty at § 440-301B: up to $300 per offense in court, or noncriminal fines of $50, $100, then $300 for repeat violations.

The rules around shed & carport rules in Taunton lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Rules

Taunton allows accessory dwelling units under Zoning Ordinance § 440-710, capped at 900 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area, whichever is smaller. ADUs that don't meet every listed requirement need a special permit from the Planning Board, and extra parking is required unless the lot sits within a half mile of the commuter rail or bus station.

Key details: Max size: 900 sq ft or 50% of principal dwelling. Special permit: Required if any standard is unmet. ADUs per lot: One. Extra parking: 1 space, waived within 0.5 mi of transit. Ownership: ADU and principal dwelling must match.

Building or occupying an accessory dwelling unit that exceeds 900 square feet or 50% of the principal dwelling's floor area, that lacks the required special permit, or that skips the added parking space violates § 440-710. The Zoning Enforcement Officer can deny occupancy and the City can pursue the general zoning penalty at § 440-301B: up to $300 per offense in court or noncriminal fines starting at $50, rising to $100 and then $300 for repeat violations.

The Bottom Line

Taunton's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Taunton is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Taunton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.