Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Methuen, MA (2026)
2 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Methuen, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
In the City of Methuen, Massachusetts, § 11.11 lets the Community Development Board grant a density bonus of up to 100% by special permit to multifamily, attached dwelling, planned unit and mixed-use developments that designate at least 10% of their units as affordable. District density ceilings in MA, MB, CBD and BL still apply, and standard single-family subdivisions are excluded.
Methuen Affordable Housing Density Bonus Special Permit
Some RestrictionsMethuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 11.11
(5) The Community Development Board shall have the right to grant the following density bonuses on special permit residential developments that provide at least 10% of the total number of units in the development as affordable housing as defined herein: Special Permit Percent Density Bonus Multifamily Up to 100% Attached dwelling Up to 100% Planned unit development Up to 100% Mixed-use developm...
Downtown Design Guide
In the City of Methuen, Massachusetts, the Methuen Center Smart Growth Overlay District incorporates Design Guidelines as Appendix B for every Project, but § 5.22I makes them noncompulsory: noncompliance cannot be the basis for denying Plan Approval. Binding design controls, such as ground-floor window percentages, sit separately in § 5.22H.
Methuen MA Methuen Center Design Guidelines
Light RestrictionsMethuen Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance § 5.22I
I. Design Guidelines.[2] (1) Design Guidelines. To promote the objectives enumerated therein, the Design Guidelines are incorporated as Appendix B hereto and are applicable to all Projects within the MCSGOD. ... The Design Guidelines a ... ddress site planning, architectural design, parking, accessibility, infrastructure and the natural environment. (2) Noncompulsory. The Design Guidelines are ...