Ashfield Bylaws

Amendments to the General and Zoning By-laws are proposed to and become effective upon adoption by Town Meeting, approval by the Attorney General, and posting by the Town Clerk. Bylaw documents are updated as needed. Comprehensive copies of bylaws are available at the links below or in hard copy by request to the Town Clerk's office.

Zoning Bylaws

Read/download the current (April 2023) version of the ZONING BYLAWS.

Recent Updates

  • Non-substantive and formatting changes made by the Town Clerk and approved by the Select Board on April 10, 2023 in keeping with the town's "Non-Substantive Bylaw Changes" that is part of the General Bylaws.
  • Revisions to the ZONING BYLAWS Solar Bylaw were unanimously approved at Special Town Meeting on August 8, 2022, and were approved by the Attorney General's office on March 13, 2023 . Upon AG approval, a Zoning Bylaw bylaw is effective as of the original date of passage at Town Meeting.
  • Revisions to the ZONING BYLAWS Table of Contents were unanimously approved at Special Town Meeting on August 8, 2022, and were approved by the Attorney General's office on December 19, 2022. 

Included in the ZONING BYLAWS: Purpose, Definitions, General Regulations, Dimensional Requirements, Districts, Use Regulations, Special Permit, and Administration.

View older versions of the Zoning Bylaws. If you are seeking an older version not published online, please contact the Town Clerk.


General Bylaws

Read/download the current version of the GENERAL BYLAWS.

Recent Updates

  • NEW: The GENERAL BYLAWS were amended (Revolving Fund section) by unanimous vote of Town Meeting on May 6, 2023, with the amendment approved by the Attorney General on August 7, 2023. The required Public Notice was posted on August 10, 2023 and this is the effective date for the amendment.
  • On May 6, 2023 at Annual Town Meeting, a revised Excessive Noise Bylaw was passed by paper ballot (92 yes, 54 no) and a Single-Use Plastic Ban was passed by declared majority vote. These bylaws are currently under review with the Attorney General's Office and are not yet in effect in the Town of Ashfield. AG's extension request.
  • The GENERAL BYLAWS were amended (to increase Park Commission membership from three to five Commissioners) by unanimous vote of Town Meeting on November 29, 2022, with the amendment approved by the Attorney General on February 1, 2023. The Public Notice was posted on February 9, 2023, and this is the effective date for the amendment.
  • The GENERAL BYLAWS were amended (Revolving Fund section) by unanimous vote of Town Meeting on May 7, 2022, with the amendment approved by the Attorney General on September 1, 2022. The Public Notice was posted on September 9, 2023, and this is the effective date for the amendment.

Included in the GENERAL BYLAWS: Introduction, Qualified Voters, Town Meetings & Elections, Posting Places, Absentee Voters, Conduct of Town Meetings, Non-Substantive Bylaw Changes, Election of Certain Officers, Protection of Public Officials, Moderator Power to Declare, Ashfield Dog Bylaw, Excessive Noise, Unregistered Motor Vehicles, Road Detail Bylaw, Recycling Bylaws, Hazardous Material Bylaw, Stripping Land of Soil and Loam, Revolving Funds, Solicitation Bylaw, and Acts to Establish Boards and Commissions, and Acts to Create Departments.

View older versions of the General Bylaws. If you are seeking an older version not published online, please contact the Town Clerk.