Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Planning Department

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  • The Planning Board Office is the best location to find that information since they have a digital map which allows them to locate the parcel by map and parcel number and determine if the property is in more than 1 zoning district. Find more information by clicking the following link: https://ecode360.com/30052807 

    Planning Department

  • This is determined by the Zoning District in which the property is located. For more information, please visit: https://ecode360.com/30052807

    Planning Department

  • This process is governed by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40A. Since South Hadley has a representative town meeting form of government, the town follows specific process, which is detailed below:

    1. Submittal of a written request to the Selectboard through the Town Administrator specifying the existing zoning district of the subject property and the zoning district being sought.  You need to identify the property address and Assessor Map and Parcel information.
    2. The Selectboard will need to vote to refer the matter to the Planning Board for a public hearing and a report to Town Meeting.
    3. The Planning Board will need to hold a public hearing on the matter and will need to post the notice of the public hearing in the Town Reminder and send out notices to the "certified abutters". The applicant must pay for the Town Reminder notice as well as the cost of mailing notices to the abutters. The Town will submit the notice to the Town Reminder and request that the applicant be billed. Similarly, the Town will mail notices to the abutters but will bill the applicant $50 plus the cost of postage. However, the applicant will also need to request the abutters list and mailing labels from the Assessor's Office.
    4. The Selectboard determines when the item is placed on the Town Meeting Warrant. If this occurs more than 6 months after the Planning Board public hearing, the public hearing must be conducted anew.
    5. Most zoning bylaw and map amendments require a vote of 2/3's of the Town Meeting members present (South Hadley has a 120 member Town Meeting).
    Planning Department

  • Unregistered vehicles are governed by Section 8(I) of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, which states:

    “The keeping of more than 1 unregistered vehicle, assembled or disassembled, except by a person licensed under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 59, on any premises shall not be permitted unless said motor vehicle is stored in an enclosed building or otherwise out of sight of all abutters and public ways.

    Whoever violates any provisions of this article shall be liable to a penalty for each day of violation, commencing 10 days following date of receipt of written notice from the Board of Selectmen. This article shall not apply to motor vehicles which are designated and used for farming purposes.” For an answer with access to the laws cited, please visit:
    Planning Department

  • Parking of commercial vehicles in a residential district is governed by Section 8(G)5 of the Zoning Bylaw which states: In Residence or Agricultural Districts, no commercial vehicle other than Class 1 Commercial Vehicles, as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, at the DOT website (http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/TrafficTravelResources/VehicleClassTypeClassifications.aspx ), may be parked on any lot, except in the case of a farm that is partially exempted from zoning regulation under M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3.
    Planning Department

  • The Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Regulations and the stormwater management bylaw are located in Ecode linked here: https://ecode360.com/SO1428

    Planning Department

  • The Building Commissioner / Inspector is the Zoning Enforcement Officer. You should contact their office and detail the alleged violation. They can tell you if in fact what you describe is a violation, in their opinion. You should follow up with a written complaint if you believe the violation is continuing.

    Planning Department

  • Variances are subject to very specific hardship criteria in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40A and are difficult to obtain. Variances and administrative appeals are under the authority of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Planning Board Office merely acts as the processing agent for the Zoning Board of Appeals.


    The steps for applying for a variance or an administrative appeal are detailed on this page here: https://www.southhadley.org/343/Zoning-Board-of-Appeals

    Planning Department