Massachusetts law mandates that where a community elects to restrict or regulate the rights of property owners through a zoning by-law, “it shall provide for a zoning board of appeals.” The Nantucket Zoning Board of Appeals exists because, in 1972, Nantucket voters chose to adopt a zoning by-law at the Annual Town Meeting. The By-law’s purpose is to “promote the health, safety, convenience, morals and general welfare of Nantucket’s inhabitants, to lessen the danger from fire and congestion and to improve the town...” Chapter 139 of the Code of
the Town of Nantucket sets out the powers and duties of the Board and for the most part parallels the power and duties set out for such boards by Commonwealth law.
