Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program (MGL c. 21A §4A) (MA)

Tracked preemption from the Massachusetts overlay bundle.

Overview

Effective
1978-06-01
Sunset
Authority
state
Scope
state:MA

Trigger predicate

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

parcel.within_massachusetts_coastal_zone == True

Preempted fields

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

FieldOpValueNote
review_typerequire_additionalczm_federal_consistency_reviewFederal-license / federal-funded activities within coastal zone require CZM federal consistency determination (CZMA §307)
base_districts[*].allowed_usesconstrainper_301_cmr_20_21_policiesCZM enforceable policies on water-dependent uses, public access, hazard areas, habitat, ports, ocean management

Citation

Authority source
MGL c. 21A §4A; 301 CMR 20.00 (CZM Program); 301 CMR 21.00 (Ocean Management Plan); federal CZMA 16 USC §1451 et seq.
§ MGL c. 21A §4A
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleII/Chapter21A/Section4A

Research notes

Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) administers federally-approved coastal program covering 78 coastal communities from Salisbury to Westport plus Cape Cod and Islands. Boundary generally inland to first major land transportation route or 100 ft from ocean-influenced waters, whichever further. CZM policies are enforceable on state-licensed and federal activities through consistency review; not directly preemptive on local zoning but conditions Chapter 91 licenses (tidelands), DEP permits, MEPA review. Ocean Sanctuaries Act (MGL c. 132A §§13-16, 18) overlays four state ocean sanctuaries with additional siting prohibitions.