Zoning
About
The City of Medford administration is working with the City Council and is currently in the process of overhauling its zoning ordinance to support key citywide goals such as increasing housing supply, reducing emissions, and promoting vibrant, walkable neighborhoods.
This comprehensive update is informed by documents like the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, the Housing Production Plan, and the Medford Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to ensure that the new zoning framework aligns with the city’s vision for sustainable growth and climate resilience.
How Does Zoning Change Work in Medford?
Background Information
Current Zoning Initiatives
In early 2024, the City, in partnership with Innes Associates, began to comprehensively overhaul its zoning ordinance to streamline and modernize the development process, which will encourage multimodal, mixed-use developments in squares and corridors throughout Medford.
Medford’s zoning overhaul, the first major one in decades, addresses outdated and inefficient codes that hindered housing and mixed-use projects. By modernizing these regulations, the city is creating a foundation for equitable development, making it easier to build affordable housing and mixed-use developments, while promoting energy-efficient buildings and walkable communities. These updates will reduce car dependence, support small businesses, and create hubs that benefit the environment and economy, positioning Medford for a greener, more connected, and resilient future.
The changes to the zoning are grouped into three (3) phases:
Phase 1 (COMPLETE):
Occurred between April to June 2024 – Phase 1 primarily focused on city-wide policies, and updates to zoning ordinance definitions, and covered simpler changes that are already known and do not require additional research.
Phase 2 (IN PROGRESS):
Phase 2 started in early July 2024. This phase includes potential changes that require more analysis or research, such as identifying and specifying zoning districts and corridors, and modifying dimensional standards and their boundaries.
