Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Monterey, Massachusetts

Town of Monterey’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Monterey town limits (Monterey, MA 01245, Berkshire County). The town administers its own zoning bylaw.

  • The Planning Board's ADU notice refers to the current bylaw by section number (table of use regulations section 3.1.3 and table of dimensional requirements section 4.2.1); the full bylaw PDF was not opened in this research.
  • A February 13, 2025 Planning Board proposal to replace section 4.3.3 (accessory dwelling units) was not confirmed as adopted.

  “note: short term rentals are currently not allowed by the monterey zoning bylaws as outlined in the table of use regulations (section 3.1.3)”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic system plan review for land inside Monterey town (Monterey, MA 01245, Berkshire County). The town Board of Health reviews septic plans.

  • The excerpt is one 2019 Board of Health minutes entry showing the board reviewing septic plans; it does not quote the regulation that assigns the authority.
  • The state Title 5 standard (310 CMR 15.00) that the local board applies was not opened and is not cited here.
  • The town's Septic Regulations (listed on the Board of Health regulations page, last updated 9/22/07) were not opened; that date may be outdated.

  “the board reviewed proposed septic plans for 20 northwest cove rd with steve nelson”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of land into lots inside Monterey town

  • The town page lists the document as last amended October 2006; the current text was not opened.
  • Massachusetts Subdivision Control Law (state) also applies; not researched here.

  “subdivision rules & regulations (last amended october 2006)”

• Short-term rentalsProhibited

  Short-term rental of a dwelling inside Monterey town

  • The Planning Board's ADU notice also describes a proposed amendment allowing the principal dwelling and the ADU to be rented for periods of no less than 31 days; this is a proposal, not confirmed as adopted, and is not a short-term rental permission.

  “note: short term rentals are currently not allowed by the monterey zoning bylaws as outlined in the table of use regulations (section 3.1.3)”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Monterey or Berkshire County directly.

• Building permit — New construction and alterations inside Monterey town
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Monterey town
• Building code adopted — Building code in force for construction inside Monterey town
• Inspections — Inspections for construction inside Monterey town
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy approval for new homes inside Monterey town

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.