Planning and Zoning

While the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) ensues, the Town of Amherst public offices remain closed. Department staff are working remotely and are ready to support your business needs, answer questions and schedule virtual meetings when necessary. Staff are available by email; please consult the Staff Directory to access email links.

Overview
 The Amherst Planning and Zoning Departments help to protect and enhance the environmental, economic and social quality of life in Amherst, for its residents and visitors, by creating and implementing appropriate planning initiatives and regulatory mechanisms for the preservation and protection of the Town.

New Planning Project

The Town is updating its ADA Self-Evaluation and ADA Transition Plan, click here for more information and to access the surveys. 

Smart Growth (40R Overlay) District

Chapter 40R, or the Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District Act, encourages
communities to create mixed-income residential or mixed-use zoning districts in
select locations where development at certain densities occurs either as-of-right
or through a plan review process. Learn More Here

Amherst Affordable Support Studio Apartment Project by Valley CDC at 132 Northampton Road
View the project information page
Please submit comments using the the online form
Subscribe to receive updates on the project

Beacon Communities, North Square at the Mill District
Documents are available for review,  click here to view the information. 
Please submit your comments to Nathaniel Malloy 
 
Land Development Brochure


A Citizen's Guide to the Project Review and Approval Process

Master Plan News


On February 3, 2010, the Amherst Planning Board voted to formallly adopt the town's Master Plan!  Congratulations to all of those who worked on the creation of this document.
More Information...
Searching Tips
If you are looking for a document relating to a specific permit, project or application, you can search by keyword(s) in the Search Window at the top of the webpage. After typing in your keyword(s) and clicking the magnifying glass icon, a list of results will appear, including the following types of content: pages, Archive Center, Town Directory, In the News, Events Calendar, Document Center, FAQ’s, Forms or Notify Me.

Example: If you are researching permits, projects, or documents related to “Kendrick Park”, you would type “Kendrick Park” into the search window, click the magnifying glass icon, and then view the search results.