Massachusetts Designated Port Areas (DPAs) — Chapter 91 Tidelands (MGL c. 91) (MA)
Tracked preemption from the Massachusetts overlay bundle.
Overview
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Effective
1978-01-01
Sunset
—
Authority
state
Scope
state:MA
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 ProtectionCape Cod Commission Regional Land Use Authority (St. 1989, c. 716)
Trigger predicate
When this evaluates true for a parcel, the law's preempted fields take precedence over base zoning.
parcel.within_designated_port_area == TruePreempted fields
2 fields on the base district schema are rewritten when the trigger fires.
| Field | Op | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
base_districts[*].allowed_uses | constrain | water_dependent_industrial_only_or_supporting | Within DPA: only water-dependent industrial uses (WDIU) plus supporting/temporary commercial uses on Chapter 91 licensed sites; no residential, no general commercial |
review_type | require_additional | ch91_license_dep | All structures and uses on filled/flowed tidelands within DPA require DEP Chapter 91 license; CZM concurrence on DPA boundary reviews |
Citation
Authority source
MGL c. 91 (Public Waterfront Act); 310 CMR 9.00 (Waterways Regulations); 301 CMR 25.00 (DPA Designation); CZM DPA boundary review process
§ 310 CMR 9.32 (DPA use restrictions); 301 CMR 25.00 (DPA designation procedure)
Research notes
11 active Designated Port Areas as of 2026: Boston Inner Harbor (East Boston, Mystic, Chelsea Creek, South Boston), Beverly Harbor, Salem Harbor (partial), Gloucester Inner Harbor, Lynn (West Lynn Creek), Mount Hope Bay (Fall River), New Bedford / Fairhaven Harbor, Weymouth Fore River. Boundaries reviewed periodically by CZM; can be amended or de-designated through 301 CMR 25 process. Within DPA: allowed uses restricted to water-dependent industrial (marine terminals, commercial fishing, ship/boat repair) plus 'supporting DPA uses' that don't displace industrial. Residential, hotels, and general office prohibited. DEP Chapter 91 license required for any structure or fill on tidelands; license conditions enforce DPA use restrictions independent of local zoning.