Charter

Home Rule

On April 17, 1990, the voters of the Town of Provincetown adopted a revised charter pursuant to the Home Rule Procedures Act, MGL Chapter 43B, and the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Provincetown's Revised Charter took effect on July 1, 1990. Provincetown's first charter under the Home Rule Amendment was adopted in 1973, with a major revision also in 1982. The Charter reaffirms the customary and traditional liberties of our local government, which was first incorporated in 1727.

Selectmen - Town Manager form of Government

The Town of Provincetown first adopted the Board of Selectmen - Town Manager form of government on March 30, 1953, with its acceptance of Chapter 78 of the Acts of 1953, An act to establish Selectmen-Town Manager form of government. The 1990 Charter Revisions continued that form of government.

Provincetown's Charter Today

The Provincetown Charter includes a list of subsequent amendments to the Home Rule Petition; a table listing local acceptance of General and Special Acts of the Legislature; and and an index of Special Acts of the Legislature Relative to the Town of Provincetown.

CHARTER (PDF)


Special Acts of the Legislature

Under the Massachusetts Constitution, cities and towns may petition the legislature for home rule legislation. Provincetown's recent special acts include the following:

Chapter of the Acts of (year)Subject Matter
C. 147, St. 2015Additional alternate member added to Board of Health and Planning
C. 84, St. 2015Police Chief and DPW Director Residency Requirement
C. 443, St. 2014Check off box on tax bills
C. 377, St. 2012Number of members on Finance Committee reduced
C. 377, St. 2010Room occupancy excise tax
C. 364, St. 2010Provincetown Truro Intermunicipal Agreement
C. 220, St. 2010Exempting Police Department from Civil Service
C. 86, St. 2009Term limits
C. 518, St. 2008Lien on Truro properties to secure unpaid water fees and charges
C. 220, St. 2008Easement Granted
C. 83, St. 2008Affordable Housing Trust Fund
C. 232, St. 2006Charter amendment: Historic District Commission as regulatory board
C. 14, St. 2006Charter amendment: Board of Assessors
C. 408, St. 2002Property tax exemption for affordable year-round rental housing
C. 260, St. 2002Pier Corporation amendments
C. 230, St. 2002Affordable Housing Trust Fund
C. 204, St. 2002Sewer betterments
C. 191, St. 2000Sewer design/build/operate authorization
C. 157, St. 2000Sewer district authorization
C. 43, St. 200010% of Land Bank funds for affordable housing
C. 13, St. 2000Provincetown Public Pier Corporation
C. 391, St. 199819.125% of local room tax for wastewater enterprise fund
C. 278, St. 1998Transfer Station land exchange with CCNS, Commonwealth
C.193, St. 1997Public Works Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief to be residents of Town.
C.178, St. 1996Establishing the Tourism Fund
C. 133, St.1993Appointment of non-civil service Chief of Police
C. 264, St.1991Bicycle Traffic on Commerical St-- direction of travel
C. 790, St.1981Parking Fund to reduce the property tax levy

For more information contact: Email to Office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 (508) 487-7013