Master Plan (2023)

The Master Planning process is an opportunity for a community to take stock, to examine what its optimal vision of the future is, and to suggest policy changes at the local level that will assist the town in arriving at that intended future.

The Master Plan is reworked every 10 years with significant input from the community. The best way to contribute to the plan is by attending a workshop or submit a comment on this webpage. Once it is finalized, the updated Master Plan goes before Town Meeting to be approved.

The Master Plan significantly contributes the community’s understanding of itself. It has a narrative component, describing the story of Dartmouth’s history and the experience of living in town. It has a technical component that considers population trends and land use changes over time to chart where the town is now and where trends may take it in the future. And it houses policies that ensure the town follows the vision and goals it set.

There are 10 section of the master plan which include land use; housing; economic development; natural and cultural resources; open space and recreation; services and facilities; transportation and circulation; climate change and resilience; implementation.

You can find links to watch previous Master Plan Workshops under the "Key Dates" tab, and review the Master Plan documents under "2023 Master Plan."

Under "Important Links" there is access to view the previous Master Plan from 2007 and a link to the SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District) website for additional information.

If you have questions about this project, please contact the staff members listed under the "Who's Listening" tab on the right. To follow updates on this project, click "Subscribe" at the bottom of this page.