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Business Licensing & Operations in Southborough, MA (2026)

3 verified business licensing & operations rules for Southborough, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Adult Entertainment

In Southborough, an adult bookstore, adult video store, adult paraphernalia store or adult motion-picture theater needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals under § 174-9(I). The use cannot be located less than 1,000 feet from a residential zoning district, school, library, church, child care facility, park, playground, recreational area or another adult use.

Southborough Adult Use Special Permit and Spacing

Significant Restrictions

Southborough Code § 174-9(I)(3)

(3) Special permit standards. No special permit may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals for an adult bookstore, adult video store, adult paraphernalia store or adult motion-picture theater unless the following conditions are satisfied: (a) No adult bookstore, adult video store, adult paraphernalia store or adult motion-picture theater may be located less than 1,000 feet from a residential...

Secondhand Dealers

Southborough requires dealers in junk, old metals and secondhand articles, junk collectors and pawnbrokers to hold a Select Board license under MGL c. 140, §§ 54 and 202, at $50 per annum. Chapter 143 adds a bound record book, a ban on receiving goods from minors, and holding periods of 14 days or seven days.

Secondhand and Junk Dealer Licensing in Southborough

Significant Restrictions

Southborough Code §§ 143-1 to 143-5

All persons or parties granted licenses by the Select Board in accordance with MGL c. 140, §§ 54 and 202 , regarding dealers in junk, old metals and secondhand articles, junk collectors and pawnbrokers, shall, in addition to the restrictions and requirements of said statute, be subject to the additional following regulations. ... The fee for said license shall be $50 per annum. ... Every licen...

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Southborough bars a person from letting more than one unregistered motor vehicle or trailer, or major parts of one, remain ungaraged on his premises. Farm vehicles, holders of a Class 1 or Class 2 sales license and owners with written Select Board authorization are exempt. Chapter 174 lists repair garages only in business and industrial districts.

Southborough Unregistered Vehicles on Residential Property

Some Restrictions

Southborough Code § 163-4

No person shall permit more than one unregistered motor vehicle or trailer or major parts thereof, except for farm vehicles, to remain ungaraged on his premises at any time, unless under a Class 1 or Class 2 license for sale of motor vehicles (MGL c. 140, §§ 57 through 69 ), or unless given written authorization by the Select Board following an investigation and report thereon by the Board of ...