Newsroom

The Cape Cod Commission has extended the comment period for the draft 2025 Regional Policy Plan. The public may submit comments through Wednesday, September 24, 2025.   

The Regional Policy Plan (RPP) is the Cape Cod Commission’s blueprint for balancing growth with stewardship of the region’s unique natural and community assets. Required under the Cape Cod Commission Act, the plan outlines a regional vision and growth policy, sets goals and objectives, and provides the framework that guides both local planning efforts and the Commission’s regulatory review.  

The annual OneCape Summit convenes a diverse gathering of local leaders, state officials, and national experts to reflect on the challenges facing Cape Cod and chart a path forward together. This year’s program brings experts who offer their perspectives, practical solutions, and inspiration to advance Cape Cod’s most pressing priorities. 

The Town of Eastham established a District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC) in 2017, known as the Eastham Corridor Special District. It covers commercially zoned lands along Route 6 and is in place to protect community character, encourage mixed-use development, enhance the North Eastham economy, improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety and access, minimize traffic conflicts, expand affordable housing opportunities, and reduce stormwater impacts. Updates to the DCPC were recently approved by Eastham voters and the Cape Cod Commission.

A status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission.

Cape Cod’s groundwater depends on precipitation to recharge. When rainfall is significantly lower than average, as it has been this summer, the region can slip into drought. Additionally, growing plants take up most of the water that falls during spring and summer. Although sunny days are great for beaches and outdoor activities, less rainfall means our aquifer isn’t being replenished. 

In early August, Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared that Cape Cod had been upgraded to a Level 2 Significant Drought from Level 1 last month. 

This Regulatory Update provides a status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission. Visit www. capecodcommission.

Each year, the Cape Cod Commission receives funding through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program. This initiative enables the Commission to support Cape towns with technical planning assistance that fosters sustainable development and aligns with both state and regional priorities. This year, DLTA funding is helping advance two important local housing initiatives in the towns of Sandwich and Falmouth, each addressing different but important aspects of housing development and smart growth. 

To help towns proactively address risks associated with severe storms and the growing impacts of climate change, the Cape Cod Commission works closely with local municipalities to develop Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-certified multi-hazard mitigation plans. These plans serve as critical tools for identifying and reducing vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters, improving emergency preparedness, and strengthening resilience across the region. 

High-speed internet. Reliable devices. Affordable service. For many Cape Codders, these basic tools for participating in the digital world remain out of reach. As everyday life becomes increasingly dependent on digital access — for work, education, healthcare, and civic engagement — ensuring that every resident can connect affordably and reliably is no longer optional. It is essential. 

The Cape Cod Commission, in partnership with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), has launched a two-year Transit Needs Assessment to better understand how public transportation is serving Cape Cod and how it can be improved for the people who rely on it every day. Whether you're a year-round resident, a seasonal resident or visitor, or a commuter heading over the canal bridges, your voice matters. This study is focused on evaluating current services, identifying gaps, and developing strategies to make public transit safer, more accessible, and more effective for everyone.