20 Temple ST
Multi-family residential · 5,250 sq ft lot
Proposed district: RG-50 — Up to 2 units per lot · View city's proposed zoning map
Your existing property can stay exactly as it is.
This proposal changes what could be built here in the future. It does not require you to change, sell, or alter your property in any way.
What would change for your property?
Future buildings could be closer to the back property line
The minimum distance from the rear of a building to the back of your lot ("rear setback") would go from 30 feet to 20 feet. Existing structures are unaffected.
Future buildings could sit closer to the street
The minimum distance between your building and the street ("front setback") would go from 15 feet to 20 feet. Your existing structure is not affected — this only applies to new construction or major additions.
A new green space requirement would be added
The proposal adds a minimum percentage of your lot that must remain unpaved (grass, garden, permeable pavers). This is a new rule that doesn't exist today.
Your Property Today
Built
1920
Type
two-fam
Current Units
2
Height
27 ft
Footprint
1,830 sf
35% of lot
Roof Style
Gable
Your Property vs. Current Zoning vs. Proposed
What your property actually has today, what current zoning allows, and what the proposal would allow.
| Rule | Your Property | Current Zoning | Proposed |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeightMaximum building height allowed | 26.86099761ft | 45ft | 35ft↓ |
| StoriesHow many floors a building can have | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Dwelling UnitsHow many separate units can be on this lot | 2 | — | 2 |
| Building Floor PlateMaximum footprint per floor of the building | 1,829 sf | — | — |
| Front SetbackMinimum distance from house to street | — | 15ft | 20ft↑ |
| Side Yards (combined)Total of left + right side yard minimums | — | 10 ft total | 10ft total |
| Rear SetbackMinimum distance from house to back property line | — | 30ft | 20ft↓ |
| Lot CoverageMaximum % of lot that can be covered by buildings | 35% | No direct equivalent | 40% |
| Off-Street ParkingRequired off-street parking spaces | 4 spaces | 1spaces | 1spaces |
| Permeable AreaMinimum % of lot that must be unpaved (grass, garden, etc.) | 32% | — | 25% |
Highlighted rows indicate a proposed change from current zoning. ↑ = allows more, ↓ = allows less. "Your Property" shows actual data where available.
What about your neighbors?
See how the proposal affects other properties on your street and nearby.
Want to weigh in?
- Submit feedback to Boston Planning — the city wants to hear from residents like you
- Attend an upcoming meeting — ask questions in person or online
- Read the FAQ — common questions answered in plain English
See something wrong? We want to get this right.
Submit a CorrectionData: Boston GIS parcels, City assessor FY2026, draft zoning text (July 2026).