Quincy, MA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Res. A/B height cap
- 35 ft from grade
- Citywide residential cap
- 60 ft above grade
- Commercial-use cap
- 80 ft above grade
- Max stories citywide
- 6 stories, no exception
- Accessory garage height
- 16 ft maximum
Summary
Quincy caps residential building height at 35 feet in Residence A and B districts, measured from the highest point of the structure to average finished grade, regardless of the number of stories otherwise allowed.
In a Residential A and B District, no residential building, notwithstanding the number of allowable stories, shall exceed 35 feet in height, measured from the highest point of the structure to the average existing finished grade at the footprint of the building, notwithstanding the definition of "height."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).
Full Breakdown
A note to Quincy's Table of Dimensional Requirements sets a hard 35-foot height ceiling for residential buildings in Residence A and B districts, measured from the structure's highest point to average finished grade: overriding the story count otherwise listed in the table. Citywide, no residential building may exceed 60 feet above grade (80 feet for buildings with commercial uses), and no building may exceed six stories. Accessory buildings like garages are capped separately at 16 feet.
Violations & Fines
Building over the height limit is a zoning violation: $300 per offense, with each day the violation continues counting as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Quincy, Massachusetts' Residence A district?
Is there a citywide height cap in Quincy outside Residence A and B?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Quincy
Compare Quincy to another location·View the Massachusetts building setbacks & zoning overview
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