Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan

The Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan (RPP) is a planning and a regulatory document, required by the Cape Cod Commission Act, that serves several purposes. As a planning document, the RPP develops a growth policy for Cape Cod, identifies key resources of regional importance, and provides the framework for town local comprehensive planning efforts. As a regulatory document, the RPP contains the "Minimum Performance Standards" that are required of all Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) that fall within the Commission's jurisdiction.

The Cape Cod Commission Act calls for an update to the plan every five years (previous editions were released in 1991 and 1996). With the advice of Cape citizens and officials and following votes by the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and the Barnstable County Commissioners, the current Regional Policy Plan went into effect April 29, 2002. Additional revisions to the "Definitions" section (specifically, the definition of 'Hazardous Material') were approved as a county ordinance in July 2003, effective September 10, 2003. The text and maps of the current plan are provided below.

Regional Policy Plan

• Regional Policy Plan (Revised 7/03; Effective 9/10/03) - illustrated, formatted as a PDF document (approximately 9.5MB file size)

• Regional Policy Plan (Revised 7/03; Effective 9/10/03) - text without illustrations, formatted as a PDF document (approximately 300K file size)

• Regional Policy Plan Maps:
  • Cape Cod Water Resources Classification Map I
    - formatted as JPEG file (approximately 2.1MB file size)
    - formatted as PDF file (approximately 1.8MB file size)

  • Cape Cod Water Resources Classification Map II (Marine Water Recharge Areas)
    - formatted as JPEG file (approximately 1.6MB file size)
    - formatted as PDF file (approximately 1.5MB file size)

  • Cape Cod Significant Natural Resources Areas
    - formatted as JPEG file (approximately 3.4MB file size)
    - formatted as PDF file (approximately 2.1MB file size)

  • Functional Classification of Cape Cod Roadways
    - formatted as JPEG file (approximately 1.6MB file size)
    - formatted as PDF file (approximately 1.3MB file size)

A summary brochure entitled A Citizen's Guide to Barnstable County's 2002 CAPE COD REGIONAL POLICY PLAN is available to help stimulate conversation about the plan.

2005 Cape Cod Residents Survey:

A public-opinion survey was distributed in late September 2005. The report on the Findings of the 2005 Cape Cod Residents Survey is available here as a PDF file.

2007-2008 Regional Policy Plan Update:
Overview and Process

The overall goal of the RPP update is to encourage the concentration of growth in downtowns, village centers, and other suitable areas served by wastewater and other infrastructure, while simultaneously reducing development in outlying areas. This is considered the most effective way to accommodate needed economic development while protecting the Cape's sensitive natural resources.

Current work on the update involves incorporating the changes recommended by the 21st Century Task Force on the Cape Cod Commission in December 2006. Some of these changes include a reorganization of the plan, the development of a regional land use map, an evaluation of progress toward stated goals, and more.

The first round of public hearings about the Regional Policy Plan took place in August 2007; see the introductory slide show as Web pages and as a 4MB downloadable PDF file.

For More Information. . .

Technical bulletins and regulations supporting the Regional Policy Plan are available on the Commission's Regulatory Program home page.

For more information about the various topics covered in the RPP, contact the specialists outlined in the Cape Cod Commission's staff list.

For information about the RPP update, contact Sharon Rooney (508-362-3828) or send e-mail to: srooney@capecodcommission.org