To know if a proposed use is permitted in a zoning district first, you must know your property’s zoning. To find out your zoning, please refer to this link of the Official Zoning Map on the
Planning Map Gallery or to the FAQ titled, “What is my property zoned?” (the FAQ above this one)
Once you know your property’s zoning, it is necessary to find which use category best represents the use in question. Please refer to the
Medford Land Development Code (MLDC) to determine which use category your proposal falls under. Below are the various sections which apply to the use categories of the MLDC:
Residential Zoning Classifications (Single and Multi-Family):
Section 10.314 Permitted Uses in Residential Land Use Classification
Commercial and Industrial Zoning Classifications:
Section 10.337 (SIC 01-289) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 291-369) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 371-497) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 501-639) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 641-809) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 811-972) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts
Commercial and industrial uses are sorted by their respective Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes. To determine the SIC Code that best matches the proposed use, first reference the Index to Commercial and Industrial Uses found at the beginning of Section 10.337 (SIC 01-289). Each category is represented by a broad classification identified by capitalized letters. Within each broad classification you will find a more specific category identified by a two digit number, this is where one will find the first two numbers of the SIC Code.
For example, if one wanted to open a grocery store they would first identify the broad based category. In the case of the grocery store this would be G. Retail Trade. From there, one would identify the more specific retail classification, in this case that would be 54 Food Stores. Then, one would go to the portion of the Medford Land Development Code that classifies 54 Food Stores. Here, the specific types of Food Stores are identified by their distinct SIC Code, for example SIC Code 541 represents a Grocery Store. Once the specific use is identified, one would look to the zoning chart to see if the use is conditionally permitted, permitted, or prohibited.
DISCLAIMER: For official rulings on a property’s zoning or on a particular land use, please consult with the Medford Planning Department, (541) 774-2380 (fees may apply).