Sherborn, MA
Zoning Update

This dashboard supports Sherborn's Zoning Update, conducted by the Town of Sherborn and CommunityScale, with legal support from Mead, Talerman, & Costa.

About this Project

The Town of Sherborn is working on a zoning bylaw update to create a more modern, user-friendly bylaw that is more efficient, creates more predictability for businesses, addresses local issues, and is compliant with state legislation. No major changes to zoning districts are proposed - rather, this update will focus on modernizing our bylaws, streamlining processes, and improving clarity, consistency, efficiency, and reorganization.

Goals:

Make the zoning bylaw clearer, better organized, and easier to use for residents, businesses, and town staff.
Update or add regulations to address modern uses and state laws, including solar, battery energy storage, and different types of agriculture.
Incorporate community feedback to ensure the bylaw meets Sherborn's local needs.
Identify future topics for discussion and planning, including housing, subdivisions, and historic preservation.

Project Timeline

The project started in March 2026 with a comprehensive audit of the current bylaws, with a goal of bringing an updated bylaw to the April 2027 Town Meeting.

  1. March – May 2026

    Zoning Bylaw Audit

  2. June – August 2026

    Focus Group Meetings & Redline Edits

  3. September – December 2026

    Public & Planning Board Feedback, Revisions

  4. January 2027

    Final Edits for Annual Town Meeting

Public Engagement

This summer, Sherborn held a series of focus groups and discussions to hear from different community groups about how the zoning bylaw impacts them and provide input for potential updates. The town held a roundtable for farmers and the agricultural community and a business outreach discussion in June.

Business Outreach Summary June 29, 2026

Business owners affirmed Sherborn's strong community assets, including recreation and trails, great schools, safety, and proximity to both Boston and Natick. However, some regulations and procedures in Sherborn's current zoning bylaw make owning a business in Sherborn more difficult. Watch the full discussion here.

Challenges Raised

  • Limited flexibility to repurpose vacant space: Property owners with vacant commercial buildings (e.g., office space with high post-COVID vacancy) reported that current zoning makes it difficult to convert properties to alternative uses like retail.
  • Complexity navigating multiple town boards: Businesses must go through separate, siloed public hearings across different boards (ZBA, Planning, Board of Health, Conservation), which do not coordinate with one another, creating a maze-like approval process. There is no centralized process or business liaison.
  • Frequent permit renewals: Several uses require recurring re-approval — for example, accessory apartments for farm staff need annual renewal, and business signage permits must be renewed every few years, creating ongoing uncertainty for business owners.
  • Restrictions on business signage: Some approved businesses have been denied the ability to install signage altogether, making it difficult for customers to locate them.
Farm & Equestrian Community Summary June 2, 2026

Sherborn's farm and equestrian community discussed how open space and scenic character are a key community strength, and raised the following challenges:

  • Rising operating costs: Costs for farming and equestrian facilities have increased substantially, straining the viability of existing operations.
  • Declining stable numbers: The number of active horse stables has dropped significantly in recent years.
  • Housing for seasonal and farm workers: There is a need for more flexible housing options, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), to support seasonal and farm staff.
  • Regulatory interpretation concerns: Questions were raised about how wetlands and agricultural use regulations are interpreted, and whether development rules may unintentionally limit agricultural activity.
  • Coordination with other trail users: Interest in better communication and cooperation with the mountain biking community, along with clearer trail stewardship and issue-reporting processes.
  • Balancing community priorities: Residents noted the tension between wanting more open space, farms, and horses while also wanting to manage town costs and taxes.

Explore the proposed zoning changes

Chapter 240 →

Review Chapter 240 and the zoning map with the proposed changes. You can make an account and send your comments and suggestions to the project team.