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

Building height limits in Worcester County are municipal because county government was abolished in 1998 and zoning is authorized under MGL c. 40A. Most Worcester County residential zones cap single-family structures at 35 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less. The City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance Article IV sets: RS-7, RS-10 (single-family) at 35 ft / 2.5 stories; RG-5 (general residential) at 35 ft / 3 stories; BG-1 (general business) at 45 ft; BG-4 (CBD, central business district) at 150+ ft with site plan review. Height is measured from average finished grade to the highest point of the roof under 780 CMR. Chimneys, antennas, HVAC equipment, elevator overruns, and parapet walls get limited exemptions (typically up to 10 ft above the height limit). Variances from height limits require Zoning Board of Appeals hearing. Worcester's downtown has seen high-rise development — 145 Front Street at City Square (22 stories, ~240 ft) and Mercantile Tower. Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, and smaller cities have similar tiered height systems. Rural towns (Princeton, Sterling, Petersham, Hardwick) typically cap all residential construction at 35 ft. Agricultural barns under the Dover Amendment (MGL c. 40A §3) can exceed height limits. MBTA Communities (including Worcester as a Rapid Transit community) must allow multi-family zoning with appropriate heights per MGL c. 40A §3A.