Our goal is to assist local property owners and project proponents to interpret and to apply our local Zoning Bylaw. As staff support to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Zoning staff will work with applicants to create a complete application package so the ZBA can make fair and clear decisions.


The Zoning Bylaw is one of the main implementation tools for the Local Comprehensive Plan and all land use within the Town.  Zoning can also provide certain control over building aesthetics and other aspects of the built environment.

As stated at the beginning of our Zoning By-laws:

"The purpose of the following By-Law is to promote the health, safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants by dividing the Town into districts and regulation the development therein, under the authority of Chapter 40A, General laws, and of Article 89 of the Amendments of the constitution...."

Relief from the requirements of the Zoning By-Law is granted solely by the Zoning Board of Appeals as outlined in Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 40A, Section 12. and Article 5 of the Provincetown Zoning By-Law.  Zoning relief can be realized by one of the following - a variance, a special permit, or an appeal.  To find out which sort of zoning relief may be appropriate for your proposed use, please contact us .  Zoning law is often times arcane and legal representation might ultimately be required but we will try to help you sort things out.