Zoning for Artists

Municipalities across the country and in Massachusetts are using one of their most powerful tools to assist, encourage or preserve artist communities: zoning.

Zoning can also be an impediment in the development of artist space. Zoning frequently separates uses considered incompatible. As a result, the industrial spaces that appeal to artists are frequently zoned industrial or commercial and do not include provisions for residential space. In some cities, planning offices are recognizing the need to update zoning to reflect newer work patterns.

Several different methods exist by which a city can modify its zoning to work with artists.  These include: 

1. Allowing artist live/work or work space in industrial zones

2. Zoning bonuses for including artist live/work

3. Arts District/Arts and Entertainment District/ Artist District Zoning overlays

How do we define an artist in the zoning code and what is Artist Certification?

A common question arises when zoning for artists, and that is, just how do we define what an artist is?  The answer is there is no one answer.  A lot of debate occurs around who is and isn’t an artist. There are two easy ways to deal with this:

1.      Artist Certification 

2.      Including a good definition of artists in your code

Cities have several other ways they can assist in the process of developing artist space, please visit the example city initiatives portion of this web site.