Suffolk County, MA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Suffolk County has no height rules — Boston Zoning Code handles the skyline. Boston residential zones generally cap structures at 35 feet or 2.5 stories; Back Bay Article 27 caps residential at 70 feet for historic consistency; downtown and Seaport zones allow up to 400-1,000 feet (200 Clarendon/Hancock at 790 ft, 1 Dalton at 742 ft, One Dalton at 691 ft). The Shadow Law (Boston Municipal Code Chapter 362 of the Acts of 1990) restricts new buildings that cast shadows on Boston Common, the Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall — a unique Boston preservation tool. Logan Airport FAA Part 77 obstruction-evaluation surfaces impose strict height limits across East Boston, Winthrop, Chelsea, and downtown — any structure above certain heights requires FAA 7460-1 filing, and Logan approach/departure cones effectively cap development in East Boston and Winthrop to modest heights. Chelsea has heights up to 65+ feet in some districts. Revere's tallest buildings concentrate on Revere Beach Boulevard. Height is measured from average finished grade per 780 CMR definitions. Chimneys, antennas, elevator penthouses, and mechanical equipment have limited exemptions. Variances require ZBA hearing.