New Bedford, MA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Section 4131B limits Marijuana Establishments and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers to Industrial Districts A (IA), B (IB), and C (IC), and bars them within 500 feet of any K-12 school, licensed daycare center, nursery or preschool, college campus building, playground, park, public library, church, substance abuse treatment facility, or another marijuana establishment, and within 200 feet of any dwelling or dwelling unit, measured in a straight line between the nearest property lines. Section 4132B additionally requires the operation to sit fully inside an enclosed, secured building not visible from the exterior, bars trailers, storage containers or vehicles as premises (except for licensed transporters), and caps retail or dispensing floor area at 5,000 square feet.

A special permit under this section is non-transferable and tied to the applicant's ownership or lease of that specific location (Section 4161B); the operator must notify the Planning Board and Zoning Enforcement Officer in writing within 48 hours of ceasing operations or losing its state license, and must remove all marijuana, plants, equipment and paraphernalia within 90 days (Section 4162B). The special permit lapses if construction or operation does not begin within one year (Section 4163). The Building, Health, Police and Fire Departments may conduct unannounced inspections during normal business hours to check compliance (Section 4170B).