Zoning districts · Article 51
Allston-Brighton Neighborhood District zoning
Article 51 covers Allston and Brighton. Boundaries are on official zoning Maps 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D.
Table D footnote 8 sets the multifamily FAR: 1.0 in MFR-1 areas and 2.0 in MFR-2 areas. Footnote 9 sets a 55-foot height limit for MFR lots fronting Commonwealth Avenue.
Last verified Oct 2026. Checked cell by cell against the Article 51 tables in the Boston Zoning Code PDF (Boston Redevelopment Authority edition) and the Municode text export; parcel counts use the Parcels 2025 fee-lot method (each lot's representative point within the city zoning subdistrict layer). Official map sheets: Map 7A–7D (Allston West 7A/7C, Allston East 7B/7D, Allston Central 7A–7D). Held: the 3F-5,000 semi-attached additional lot area per unit, which reads "2 500" in both official sources. Source: Boston Zoning Code, Article 51.
Subdistricts
| Map code | Subdistrict type | Parcels |
|---|---|---|
| 1F-3000 | One-Family Residential | 162 |
| 1F-4000 | One-Family Residential | 155 |
| 1F-5000 | One-Family Residential | 973 |
| 2F-5000 | Two-Family Residential | 2,661 |
| 2F-5000 (A) | Two-Family Residential | 210 |
| 3F-4000 | Three-Family Residential | 1,735 |
| 3F-5000 | Three-Family Residential | 9 |
| 3F-6000 | Three-Family Residential | 94 |
| ALLSTON LANDING NORTH EDA | Economic Development Area | 55 |
| ALLSTON LANDING SOUTH EDA | Economic Development Area | 9 |
| ASHFORD ST LI-1 | Local Industrial | 3 |
| Barrys Corner CC-1 | Community Commercial | 29 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE IS | Institutional | 3 |
| Boston Landing CC-1 | Community Commercial | 6 |
| BOSTON UNIVERSITY IS | Institutional | 20 |
| BRAINTREE STREET LI-1 | Local Industrial | 35 |
| CC-2 | Community Commercial | 32 |
| CC-3 | Community Commercial | 1 |
| CC-4 | Community Commercial | 4 |
| CF | Community Facilities | 3 |
| CHESTNUT HILL WATERWORKS PROTECTION SUBDISTRICT | Conservation / waterworks protection | 4 |
| CPS | Conservation Protection | 37 |
| Everett/Telford CC-1 | Community Commercial | 59 |
| FRANCISCAN CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS | Institutional | 1 |
| GOODENOUGH STREET LI-1 | Local Industrial | 13 |
| GUEST STREET LI-2 | Local Industrial | 50 |
| HARVARD AVENUE CC-1 | Community Commercial | 147 |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY IS | Institutional | 10 |
| LC-.5 | Local Convenience | 22 |
| LC-1 | Local Convenience | 5 |
| LI-1 | Local Industrial | 1 |
| LINDEN STREET LI-1 | Local Industrial | 3 |
| MFR-1 | Multifamily Residential | 550 |
| MFR-2 | Multifamily Residential | 68 |
| N BEACON STREET LI-1 | Local Industrial | 4 |
| NS-.5 | Neighborhood Shopping | 53 |
| NS-1 | Neighborhood Shopping | 151 |
| OS | Open Space | 8 |
| OS-A | Air-Right Open Space | 8 |
| OS-CM | Cemetery Open Space | 3 |
| OS-G | Community Garden Open Space | 2 |
| OS-P | Parkland Open Space | 15 |
| OS-RC | Recreation Open Space | 16 |
| OS-UW | Urban Wild Open Space | 1 |
| ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL IS | Institutional | 4 |
| Western Avenue/Soldiers Field Road CC-1 | Community Commercial | 33 |
Parcel counts come from City of Boston 2025 parcel data and BPDA zoning subdistrict boundaries, matched by Stratum. Each lot is counted in the subdistrict that contains it; road, rail and water strips are excluded. Open-space and other subdistricts not listed above are included in the district total.
Table D — Residential Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | 1F-3,000 — 1 Family Detached | 1F-3,000 — Other Use | 1F-4,000 — 1 Family Detached | 1F-4,000 — Other Use | 1F-5,000 — 1 Family Detached | 1F-5,000 — Other Use | 2F-5000 — 1 or 2 Family Detached | 2F-5000 — Other Use | 2F-5000(A) — 1 & 2 Family Detached | 2F-5000(A) — Any other Dwelling | 2F-5000(A) — Other Use | 3F-4,000 — Semi-attached, Row House or Town House Building | 3F-4,000 — Any other Dwelling or Use | 3F-5,000 — Semi-attached, Row House or Town House Building | 3F-5,000 — Any other Dwelling or Use | 3F-6,000 — Semi-attached, Row House or Town House Building | 3F-6,000 — Any other Dwelling or Use | MFR-1 / MFR-2 — 1 or 2 Family Detached or Semi-attached | MFR-1 / MFR-2 — Row House or Town House Building | MFR-1 / MFR-2 — Any other Dwelling or Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | MFR-1: 1.0; MFR-2: 2.0(8) | MFR-1: 1.0; MFR-2: 2.0(8) | MFR-1: 1.0; MFR-2: 2.0(8) |
| Max. height | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft(9) | 35 ft(9) | 35 ft(9) |
| Max. height (stories) | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 2-½ stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories | 3 stories |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | 3,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 for 1 or 2 units | 5,000 | 5,000 for 1 unit | 5,000 | 5,000 | 2,000 for 1 unit | 4,000 for 1 or 2 units | 2,500 for 1 unit | 5,000 for 1 or 2 units | 3,000 for 1 unit | 6,000 for 1 or 2 units | 3,000 per bldg. of 1 or 2 units | 3,000 for up to 4 units per bldg. | 4,000 for first 3 units |
| Add'l lot area per dwelling unit (sq ft) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2,000 | — | 2,500 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 per bldg. of 1 or 2 units | 3,000 for up to 4 units per bldg. | 1,000 |
| Min. lot width (ft) | 40 | 40 | 45 | 45 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | none | 50 | 50 | 25 | 45 | 25 | 50 | 25 | 55 | 40 | 30 for each bldg. | 40 |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | 40 | 40 | 45 | 45 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 25 | 45 | 25 | 50 | 25 | 55 | 40 | 30 for each bldg. | 40 |
| Min. usable open space per dwelling unit (sq ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none | 800 | none | 800 | 800 | none | 650 | 650 | 650 | 650 | 800 | 800 | 400 | 200 | 200 |
| Min. front yard (ft) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 |
| Min. side yard (ft) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10(7) | see note(6)(7) | 10(7) | see note(6)(7) | 10(7) | see note(6)(7) | 10(7) | see note(7) | 10 |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 30 | 30 | 35 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 |
| Max. rear yard occupancy (%) | 25 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Table E — Neighborhood Business Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | LC-.5 | LC-1 | NS-.5 | NS-1 | CC-1, CC-3 and CC-4 | CC-2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Max. height | 15 ft | 15 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 45 ft |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Add'l lot area per dwelling unit (sq ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. usable open space per dwelling unit (sq ft) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Min. front yard (ft) | none(3) | none(3) | none(3) | none(3) | none(3) | none(3) |
| Min. side yard (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Table F — Local Industrial Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | North Beacon Street LI | Goodenough Street LI | Linden Street LI | Braintree Street LI | Guest Street LI | Newton Street LI | Holton Street LI | Ashford Street LI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Max. height | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 45 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. usable open space per dwelling unit (sq ft) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Min. front yard (ft) | none(2) | none(2) | none(2) | none(2) | 5 | none(2) | none(2) | none(2) |
| Min. side yard (ft) | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Table G — Economic Development Areas Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | Allston Landing North EDA | Allston Landing South EDA |
|---|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Max. height | 40 ft(3) | 45 ft |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none | none |
| Min. front yard (ft) | none(5) | none |
| Min. side yard (ft) | none | none |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 20(6) | 20(6) |
Table H — Conservation Protection Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | Conservation Protection Subdistricts |
|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.3(3) |
| Max. height | 35 ft(3)(4) |
| Max. dwelling units per acre | 3(4) |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | Residential: 1 acre (5); other use: none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none |
| Min. front yard (ft) | 50(3)(6) |
| Min. side yard (ft) | 50(3)(6) |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 50(3)(6) |
Table I — Institutional Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | Boston College IS | Boston University IS | Harvard University IS | St. Elizabeth's Hospital IS | Franciscan Children's Hospital IS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Max. height | 55 ft(2) | 55 ft(2) | 55 ft(2) | 55 ft(2) | 55 ft(2) |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. front yard (ft) | 20 | none(3) | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Min. side yard (ft) | none | none | none | none | none |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | none | none | none | none | none |
Table L — Community Facilities Subdistricts Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | Community Facilities Subdistricts |
|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 1 |
| Max. height | 35 ft |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none |
| Min. usable open space per dwelling unit (sq ft) | 50 |
| Min. front yard (ft) | none |
| Min. side yard (ft) | none |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 20 |
Table M — Chestnut Hill Waterworks Protection Subdistrict Dimensional Regulations
| Requirement | Chestnut Hill Waterworks Protection Subdistrict |
|---|---|
| Max. floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.74 |
| Max. height | Preservation Area 70; Development Area 60 within 150 ft of Beacon St., 75 beyond |
| Max. dwelling units per acre | 18 |
| Min. lot area (sq ft) | none |
| Min. lot width (ft) | none |
| Min. lot frontage (ft) | none |
| Min. front yard (ft) | 100(3) |
| Min. side yard (ft) | 20(3) |
| Min. rear yard (ft) | 30 |
Where the Code gives a height without a unit, we show it in feet.
Numbers in parentheses, like (1), are footnotes in the Code table. They often add conditions or exceptions, so read them in Article 51.
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Try Stratum freeStratum is not affiliated with the City of Boston or the Boston Planning Department (formerly the BPDA). This summary is for early design and is not a legal determination. Zoning is amended over time, and overlay districts, map amendments and the table footnotes can change what applies to a parcel. Always verify with the Boston Zoning Code and the city before relying on these numbers.