Regulations

Cape Cod Commission regulations enable the agency to fulfill its duties under the Cape Cod Commission Act, the state legislation that created the regional agency in 1990. Most of the regulations and proposed revisions to them are ordinances adopted by the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, the regional legislative body.

• Regional Policy Plan (RPP) - Effective April 29, 2002
  The Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan (RPP) is a planning and a regulatory document, required in 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.

• Enabling Regulations Governing Review of Developments of Regional Impact - Effective March 9, 2005
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the different types of Cape Cod Commission jurisdiction, Development of Regional Impact (DRI) thresholds, and the process and procedure for Commission review of projects (such as DRIs, change-of-use and limited DRI determinations, discretionary referrals, DRI exemptions, hardship exemptions, including hardship exemptions for Projects of Community Benefit, and jurisdictional determinations). The Enabling Regulations also reference the process for appeals, modifications, and procedural denials, and include the Commission's fee schedule.

• Administrative Regulations - Effective March 9, 2005
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the Commission's administrative procedures, including regulations about the contents of applications and the delegations of authority.

• Development Agreement Regulations Governing the Provisions for Development Agreements - Effective July 19, 2005
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the purpose of development agreements, who may participate in them, the two types of procedures for adopting them, their duration, and how they may be amended or rescinded.

• Growth Incentive Zone (GIZ) Regulations - Effective July 19, 2005
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes what qualifies as a growth incentive zone; who may propose a GIZ, what the procedure is, and how an application is processed; what the review and approval criteria are and what the procedure for GIZ designation is; the relationship to DRI thresholds; how to modify a GIZ designation; how long one lasts and how one is revoked. Also included is a draft GIZ application form.

• District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC) Regulations - Effective December 1996
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the qualifications for DCPCs, who may nominate one and the procedure for doing so, the procedures for accepting or rejecting a nomination, the procedures for accepting or rejecting a proposed designation, the DCPC-related suspension of munipal powers to grant permits, and the adoption of implementing regulations for a designated DCPC. (See also the Cape Cod Commission's DCPC Web site.)

• Local Comprehensive Plan Regulations - Effective March 31, 2005
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the authority and purpose of the Cape Cod Commission's certification of Local Comprehensive Plans (LCPs), the required contents for an LCP to become certified, the requirements for consistency with the Regional Policy Plan and other documents, the approval and certification/recertification process, implementation requirements, LCP revisions, and more. Includes a checklist for LCP approval and certification/recertification processes.

• Impact Fee Enabling Regulations - Effective May 1998
  PDF-formatted document
  Describes the purpose of impact fees, the requirements for calculating and assessing them, the procedures for adopting impact fee bylaws, and more.