Zoning Recodification

Welcome to the Duxbury Zoning Recodification Landing Page!

Updated April 11, 2024

• The first meeting of the Zoning Bylaw Recodification Working Group was held on April 10, 2024. The next meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2024 at 6:30PM. Please visit the Town calendar to see agendas for posted meetings.
• A Zoning Bylaw Recodification Working Group was established by the Planning Board (see attached memo below listing group members). Tasks of the Working Group include:
  • Reviewing the initial draft and questions developed by General Code project manager
  • Ensuring that relevant modifications recommended by the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee (final report 2012) have been incorporated
  • Reviewing the last internal draft and accompanying memo from the Planning Director to ensure these documents inform the final recodification
  • Continuing to work with and respond to General Code to finalize a draft that can be taken to Town Meeting
• The Town decided to hire a consultant to continue with the Zoning Recodification process, as it was too time-consuming for the Planning Board and Town Counsel to complete the process in-house. The Town hired General Code Corporation in April 2023, who are currently working on the project. In the future, there will be a public process through the Planning Board, and the recodified bylaws will be an article on a Town Meeting warrant for approval.

The Town of Duxbury Zoning Bylaw and accompanying Zoning Maps outline regulations and standards governing the use of land, buildings and structures in Duxbury, with a focus on public safety, health and welfare, and to keep current and implement the goals of the Town's Comprehensive and Open Space Plans.  Duxbury recently updated both its Comprehensive Plan (Envision Duxbury 2020) and its Open Space and Recreation Plan (2017), and the Comprehensive Plan includes recommendations relative to zoning, land use, resilience and economic vibrancy while maintaining the essential charm and beauty of Duxbury.

Duxbury adopted its first zoning bylaw in 1944, and has made many changes since that time.  The Comprehensive Plan Zoning Bylaw Implementation Committee (CPZBC), was charged with an update to the zoning bylaw when the last comprehensive plan was completed (1999), with coordination by attorneys Jon Witten and Mark Bobrowski, and it presented a comprehensive amendement to town meeting in 2003.  At 2003 town meeting, several floor amendments were made, which resulted in the need for clarifications to the bylaw as a result of both these changes, and changes in statute and case law since that time.  The Town Selectmen appointed a committee to address these matters in 2011: the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee, where Duxbury's citizens inventoried all known issues and concerns, and a full reporting of their findings was made in 2012 (downloadable link below), facilitated by town counsel.  The Planning Board is continuing the charge of updating the Zoning Bylaw, to address the concerns outlined by Duxbury's citizens, both through the ZBRC and the through its role in implementing the recommendations of the Comprehensive and Open Space Plans.  This work was facilitated through Town Counsel and is funded by Town Meeting.

• ZBRC Report 2012