Building Setbacks & Zoning in Chelsea, MA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Chelsea, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Chelsea ties every structure's placement to the dimensional table at Sec. 34-262 and bars shrinking an existing yard below the code's minimums. In the R1, R2 and R3 residential districts, Sec. 34-78(e)(2) sets the concrete number: combined side yards must total at least 20 feet in R1 or 12 feet in R2, with no single side yard under five feet.
Chelsea Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 34-76(a), (c); § 34-78(e)(2)
(a)Generally. ... No structure shall be erected or used, premises used, or lot changed in size or shape except in conformity with the requirements of this section, unless exempted by this chapter or by statute. Dimensions shall meet the requirements of the table of dimensional regulations in section 34-262. ... (c)Reduction in dimension. No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of the ord...
Structure Height Limits
Chelsea caps residential structures at 35 feet and three stories in both the R-1 and R-2 districts under its citywide dimensional table, with narrow exceptions for chimneys and rooftop mechanicals and a blanket cap tied to Logan Airport flight approaches.
Chelsea, MA Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances §§ 34-78(j), 34-262
(j)Special height regulations.(1)Exceptions. The height regulations of the chapter shall not apply to the following:a.Erection of belfries and towers designed exclusively for ornamental purposes, flagstaffs, chimneys, flues, electric generating plants, passive solar devices, elevator shafts, water tanks, standpipes, bulkheads, headhouses for roof access, roof deck railings and mechanical equipm...
Lot Coverage Limits
Chelsea caps maximum lot coverage at 30 percent in the single/two-family R-1 district and 40 percent in the multi-family R-2 district under the citywide table of dimensional regulations, with a separate special-permit path for higher coverage in industrial, port and waterfront-upland districts.
Chelsea, MA Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances §§ 34-262, 34-78(k)
(k)Lot coverage. In the industrial, port, and waterfront upland districts, a greater percent of site coverage may be permitted by special permit provided that the off-street parking and loading requirements of this chapter are met. ... 1—2 Units (R-1) 1—3 Units (R-2) ... Maximum percent lot coverage 30 40