Fall River's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Fall River, 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.

Structure Height Limits

Fall River limits building height to 35 feet in its single- and two-family districts and 45 feet in multi-family residence districts, per the zoning code's dimensional table.

Key details: Single/Two-Family Districts: 35 ft max height. G, A-2, M Districts: 45 ft max height. WTOD District: 80 ft or 6 stories. Governing table: City Code § 86-35.

A structure built above the district's height cap without a special permit or variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals is out of compliance and can be denied a certificate of occupancy.

Setback Rules

Fall River sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zoning district, from 12-foot fronts in dense business zones up to 75-foot yards in the low-density R-80 district.

Key details: S District front yard: 25 feet minimum. R-8 District front yard: 20 feet minimum. R-80 District setbacks: 75 ft front/rear, 50 ft side. R-4 District side yard: 10 feet minimum.

Building within the required setback without an approved variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals is a zoning violation and can block issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy.

Lot Coverage Limits

Fall River caps maximum lot coverage by zoning district, ranging from 25% in most single-family and residence districts up to 80% in the Waterfront and Transit-Oriented Development District.

Key details: S, R-8, G, M Districts: 25% max coverage. R-4, A-2 Districts: 30% max coverage. WTOD District: 80% max coverage. R-30, R-80 Districts: No figure set.

Exceeding the district's maximum lot coverage figure without relief requires a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals before a building permit can issue.

The Bottom Line

Fall River's building setbacks & zoning 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 Fall River is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Fall River's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.