Zoning › State preemptions › Massachusetts

Cape Cod Commission Regional Land Use Authority (St. 1989, c. 716) (MA)

Tracked preemption from the Massachusetts overlay bundle.

Overview

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Effective
1990-01-01
Sunset
—
Authority
state
Scope
region:cape_cod
Other Massachusetts preemptions
Massachusetts Chapter 40Y — Starter Home Zoning Districts (Opt-In)Massachusetts MBTA Communities Act — Multi-Family Zoning Requirement (MGL c. 40A §3A)Massachusetts Chapter 40S — Smart Growth School Cost ReimbursementMassachusetts Chapter 40R — Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District (Opt-In)Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act — Riverfront Area (MGL c. 131 §40)Boston Planning Department (former BPDA) Article 80 Development ReviewMassachusetts Outstanding Resource Waters & DCR Watershed ProtectionMassachusetts Solar PV Siting — DOER Statutory Preference (MGL c. 40A §3 ¶9)

Trigger predicate

When this evaluates true for a parcel, the law's preempted fields take precedence over base zoning.

AND
  • city.is_in_cape_cod_commission_jurisdiction == True
  • OR
    • project.is_development_of_regional_impact == True
    • parcel.within_district_of_critical_planning_concern == True

Preempted fields

2 fields on the base district schema are rewritten when the trigger fires.

FieldOpValueNote
review_typerequire_additionalcape_cod_commission_dri_reviewDevelopments of Regional Impact (DRI) require Commission approval in addition to local permits; thresholds in Enabling Act §12 + Code of Regulations
base_districts[*].allowed_usesconstrainper_regional_policy_planDCPC designation triggers temporary moratorium + implementing regulations adopted by Commission and local town(s)

Citation

Authority source
Cape Cod Commission Act, Chapter 716 of the Acts of 1989 (special law); Cape Cod Commission Code of Regulations; 2018 Regional Policy Plan
§ St. 1989, c. 716 §§1-21
https://www.capecodcommission.org/our-work/regulatory/the-act/

Research notes

Regional planning + regulatory authority covering all 15 Barnstable County towns (Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Yarmouth). Two regulatory teeth: (1) Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) — projects exceeding thresholds (e.g., >10,000 sf commercial, >30 residential units, certain hotel/marina/transportation) require Commission review against the Regional Policy Plan; (2) Districts of Critical Planning Concern (DCPCs) — nominated and designated by Commission, imposing implementing regulations adopted by towns. Decisions appealable to Barnstable Superior Court. The Commission also administers the Cape's wastewater 208 Plan.