Zoning
Our zoning code is the laws that govern what may be built where, for what purpose, and under what conditions. Through zoning, we direct the long-term look, feeling, and function of our community.
The City Administration and City Council, together with zoning consultant Innes Associates, are comprehensively reviewing and updating Medford’s zoning ordinance. This process involves the whole City: squares, major corridors, and residential neighborhoods.
This process has been years in the making. The zoning proposals to come out of this process are guided by the input from thousands of residents that became Medford’s Comprehensive Plan, Housing Production Plan, and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan over a multi-year community process. These documents and the goals within them – increasing our housing supply, reducing emissions, promoting vibrant and walkable neighborhoods, and more – form the basis for our work to update Medford’s zoning.
Next zoning meetings:
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4/30/2025 Planning & Permitting Committee Meeting, 6:00pm – discussion of Medford Square and West Medford Square zoning proposals
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5/7/2025 Community Development Board Public Hearing on Neighborhood & Urban Residential zoning proposal, Zoom only, 6:30pm
Meeting details, hybrid accessibility information, and agendas are published on medfordma.org/events when available.
Zoning Topics Timeline
Do you have questions about zoning or a specific proposal?
This project is collaboratively managed by City Council leadership and the Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability in collaboration with the City Administration and the City’s zoning consultant, Innes Associates. This page will be updated to share summaries, FAQs, diagrams, current statuses, and upcoming meetings for each zoning topic. With further questions, please contact the Planning Office at ocd@medford-ma.gov or contact City Council leadership.
Current Proposals
These are the zoning proposals currently making their way through the zoning process timeline. More information on each is below.
West Medford Square Zoning Proposal
Upcoming Meetings
The Planning & Permitting Committee will review this zoning proposal again at its April 30th meeting.
- At a glance
- Goals of this zoning
- Current zoning vs. proposed zoning
- Mixed-use and residential districts in this proposal
- Public meeting documents and recordings
At a glance
Goals of this zoning
Current zoning vs. proposed zoning
Mixed-use and residential districts in this proposal
Public meeting documents and recordings
Medford Square Zoning Proposal
Upcoming Meetings
The Planning & Permitting Committee will review this zoning proposal again at its April 30th meeting.
- At a glance
- Goals of this zoning
- Current zoning vs. proposed zoning
- Mixed-use and residential districts in this proposal
- Public meeting documents and recordings
At a glance
Goals of this zoning
Current zoning vs. proposed zoning
Mixed-use and residential districts in this proposal
Public meeting documents and recordings
Updates to ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Upcoming Meetings
The Planning & Permitting Committee will review this topic again before referring to the Community Development Board for Public Hearings. Meeting date will be updated when confirmed. The Community Development Board will have an informational Public Hearing on this topic on April 16th at 6:30pm via Zoom only.
Neighborhood and Urban Residential Zoning Proposal
Upcoming Meetings
The Community Development Board is continuing its Public Hearing on this proposal to Wednesday, April 16th at 6:30pm via Zoom.
- Where, what, and why?
- Proposed updated residential subdistricts
- How do ADUs and "Historic Conversion" fit in?
- What currently exists in residential zones
- How does this proposal differ from what currently exists?
- Building heights
- Public meeting documents and recordings
Where, what, and why?
Proposed updated residential subdistricts
How do ADUs and "Historic Conversion" fit in?
What currently exists in residential zones
How does this proposal differ from what currently exists?
Building heights
Public meeting documents and recordings
Adopted Proposals
These zoning ordinances have gone through the zoning process and have been adopted. Scroll down for more information on each.
Salem Street Corridor District (SSCD)
- At a glance: Residential, Mixed, and Commercial Zoning
- Incentive Zoning and Site Plan Review
- Comparing the new zoning to the old zoning
- FAQs
- Public meeting documents and recordings
At a glance: Residential, Mixed, and Commercial Zoning
Incentive Zoning and Site Plan Review
Comparing the new zoning to the old zoning
FAQs
Public meeting documents and recordings
Green Score
Mystic Avenue Corridor District (MACD)
About “Phase 1” Zoning Updates and Amendment
General Information on Zoning
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.