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Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts: what can you build or do?

Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from Manchester-by-the-Sea's published bylaws, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.

Last reviewed 2026-10-05

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  Yes. Manchester-by-the-Sea's Zoning By-law allows one Standard ADU per lot by right in the residence districts, up to 900 sq ft or half the main home's floor area, whichever is smaller. A bigger 'Large' ADU (up to 1,200 sq ft) needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.Allowed
• Backyard Chickens
  In Single Residence Districts A, B, C and E, you can keep poultry with an annual Keeping of Animals permit from the Board of Health. Zoning doesn't allow keeping livestock or poultry in Residence Districts D1 and D2, the General District, the Town Center or Harbor's Edge. Coops must be at least 15 feet from property lines and 20 feet from a neighbor's house.Depends on your zone
• Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb / VRBO)
  Only if you live in the home. Manchester-by-the-Sea's General By-law allows short-term paying guests (stays under 6 nights) in owner-occupied homes that hold an annual license from the Select Board; the application fee was initially set at $100. Short-term rentals aren't allowed in accessory dwelling units.Allowed with a permit
• Fences
  Manchester-by-the-Sea's Zoning By-law sets no fence height limit or property-line setback for homes, because fences aren't counted as 'structures'. Near wetlands, fencing is a permitted 'minor activity' in the buffer zone as long as it doesn't block wildlife movement. Pools must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high.Allowed
• Sheds & Accessory Buildings
  Sheds count as accessory structures under Manchester-by-the-Sea's Zoning By-law. They must be 5 to 15 feet from side and rear lot lines depending on the district, set back from the street 10 feet more than the house's front setback, and no taller than 1.5 stories or 25 feet. The bylaw sets no permit-size threshold, so the state building code's 200 sq ft exemption applies.Depends on your zone
• Home-Based Businesses
  Yes. Manchester-by-the-Sea's Zoning By-law allows a customary home occupation by right in all residence districts if you live there, it's carried on inside the house (not an accessory building), no goods are visible from the street, and any sign is no more than 2 sq ft. A professional office (doctor, lawyer and similar) is also allowed, with a sign of no more than 1 sq ft.Allowed
• Swimming Pools
  A swimming pool at a home in Manchester-by-the-Sea needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals in every residence district. Pools 2 feet or more deep (200+ cubic feet) count as structures and must meet accessory-structure setbacks, and every private pool must be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet high.Allowed with board review
• Building Near the Water (Wetlands Rules)
  Work within 100 feet of a wetland, beach, dune, coastal bank or other resource area (200 feet of a river or perennial stream) needs a permit from the Conservation Commission under Manchester-by-the-Sea's General Wetlands By-law. The town's regulations bar new structures within 50 feet, and any disturbance within 30 feet, of a salt marsh, wetland, vernal pool, coastal bank or stream bank unless a waiver is granted.Allowed with board review
• Docks, Piers & Floats
  A private dock or pier in Manchester-by-the-Sea needs several approvals. Building below mean high water needs a state Chapter 91 license and Planning Board review under zoning (marked as a Planning Board special-permit use in most waterfront districts), and the Conservation Commission must approve work in wetlands or within 100 feet of them. A bottom-anchored float without a Chapter 91 license needs a free waterway permit from the Harbormaster, and may be used only May 1 to October 15.Allowed with board review

We couldn't download Manchester-by-the-Sea's bylaw text for the other 1 topics yet, so we don't cover them rather than guess.