Guidance  Zoning Act Resources, Training, and Technical Assistance

Date:	09/18/2026

HLC provides resources and technical assistance to help cities and towns understand and implement M.G.L. c. 40A (the Zoning Act). This page will include guidance, training opportunities, and other resources related to the Zoning Act.

Training and Additional Resources

HLC will make updates to this page to provide materials and training to help municipal officials and staff understand changes to M.G.L. c. 40A and frequently asked questions faced by local governments when implementing the Zoning Act.

Resources may address topics such as but not limited to:

• changes to zoning notice procedures
• guidance related to permitting certain lots
• standard and other requirements set under the Zoning Act
• municipal forms, procedures, and administrative best practices that may need to be updated

Additional materials and training information will be added to this page as they become available.

Technical Assistance

Cities and towns, Regional Planning Agencies, and others may reach out to HLC's Chapter 40A team for technical assistance related to changes to the Zoning Act by emailing your questions to [e-mail].

Technical assistance may include but is not limited to:

• understanding the changes made to M.G.L. c. 40A
• identifying municipal forms, notices, or procedures that may need to be reviewed or updated
• understanding new timelines and administrative requirements
• identifying implementation considerations for local zoning staff and boards
• locating relevant HLC guidance, training, and other resources

The 40A Toolkit offers general guidance related to the Zoning Act changes, resources, and programs and will be updated as additional resources become available to support communities in their local efforts.

Technical assistance is not legal advice

HLC technical assistance provides general information and implementation support. It is not legal advice and does not determine how the law applies to a particular property, application, permit, hearing, decision, or other case-specific matter. Cities and towns should consult municipal counsel about legal interpretation, pending matters, and questions involving specific facts or local zoning provisions.