Building Setbacks & Zoning in Southborough, MA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Southborough, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Southborough's Residence A district requires 35 feet in front, 50 feet at the rear, 25 feet at the side and 35 feet from another street. Residence B requires 30, 35, 15 and 30 feet. Accessory buildings and swimming pools in both districts sit 10 feet from the rear and side lot lines.
Southborough Residential Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsSouthborough Code § 174-8.2(D)(3); § 174-8.3(D)(3)
D. Development standards are as follows: ... (3) Minimum setbacks: (a) Front: 35 feet. (b) Rear: 50 feet; ... 10 feet for accessory buildings and swimming pools. (c) Side: 25 feet; 10 feet for accessory buildings and swimming pools. (d) Other street: 35 feet. ... (3) Minimum setbacks: (a) Front: 30 feet. (b) Rear: 35 feet; ... 10 feet for accessory buildings and swimming pools. (c) Sid...
Structure Height Limits
Southborough's Residence A and Residence B districts cap building height at 35 feet and 2 1/2 stories, and accessory buildings at 17 feet and one story. Chimneys, antennas, tanks and similar features can rise up to 20 feet above the limit if no one occupies them.
Southborough Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsSouthborough Code § 174-2 (HEIGHT); § 174-8.2(D)(4); § 174-15
HEIGHT The vertical difference between the average of the mean finished ground elevations of all sides of the building or structure and the elevation of the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline of mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs. ... (4) Maximum height: 35 feet, 2 1/2 stories (17 feet, one story for accessory bu...
Lot Coverage Limits
Southborough requires a special permit from the Board of Appeals before anyone renders impervious more than 75% of lot area, under § 174-13.4(B)(1)(c). The Residence A and Residence B tables use a floor area ratio instead of a lot coverage percentage.
Southborough Impervious Surface Limit on Lots
Some RestrictionsSouthborough Code § 174-13.4(B)(1)(c), (B)(2), (C)(1)
B. Uses requiring special permits. (1) The following shall be allowed only if granted a special permit from the special permit granting authority: ... (c) Rendering impervious more than 75% of lot area. ... (2) Change in activity resulting in crossing any of the thresholds of B(1)(a) through (d) shall constitute a change of use requiring a special permit. C. Special permit process. (1) Auth...