Charter
Home Rule
On April 17, 1990, the voters of the Town of Provincetown adopted a revised charter pursuant to the Home Rule Procedures Act, MGL Chapter 43B, and the Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Provincetown's Revised Charter took effect on July 1, 1990. Provincetown's first charter under the Home Rule Amendment was adopted in 1973, with a major revision also in 1982. The Charter reaffirms the customary and traditional liberties of our local government, which was first incorporated in 1727.
Selectmen - Town Manager form of Government
The Town of Provincetown first adopted the Board of Selectmen - Town Manager form of government on March 30, 1953, with its acceptance of Chapter 78 of the Acts of 1953, An act to establish Selectmen-Town Manager form of government. The 1990 Charter Revisions continued that form of government.
Provincetown's Charter Today
The Provincetown Charter includes a list of subsequent amendments to the Home Rule Petition; a table listing local acceptance of General and Special Acts of the Legislature; and and an index of Special Acts of the Legislature Relative to the Town of Provincetown.
CHARTER (PDF)
Special Acts of the Legislature
Under the Massachusetts Constitution, cities and towns may petition the legislature for home rule legislation. Provincetown's recent special acts include the following:
| Chapter of the Acts of (year) | Subject Matter |
|---|---|
| C. 147, St. 2015 | Additional alternate member added to Board of Health and Planning |
| C. 84, St. 2015 | Police Chief and DPW Director Residency Requirement |
| C. 443, St. 2014 | Check off box on tax bills |
| C. 377, St. 2012 | Number of members on Finance Committee reduced |
| C. 377, St. 2010 | Room occupancy excise tax |
| C. 364, St. 2010 | Provincetown Truro Intermunicipal Agreement |
| C. 220, St. 2010 | Exempting Police Department from Civil Service |
| C. 86, St. 2009 | Term limits |
| C. 518, St. 2008 | Lien on Truro properties to secure unpaid water fees and charges |
| C. 220, St. 2008 | Easement Granted |
| C. 83, St. 2008 | Affordable Housing Trust Fund |
| C. 232, St. 2006 | Charter amendment: Historic District Commission as regulatory board |
| C. 14, St. 2006 | Charter amendment: Board of Assessors |
| C. 408, St. 2002 | Property tax exemption for affordable year-round rental housing |
| C. 260, St. 2002 | Pier Corporation amendments |
| C. 230, St. 2002 | Affordable Housing Trust Fund |
| C. 204, St. 2002 | Sewer betterments |
| C. 191, St. 2000 | Sewer design/build/operate authorization |
| C. 157, St. 2000 | Sewer district authorization |
| C. 43, St. 2000 | 10% of Land Bank funds for affordable housing |
| C. 13, St. 2000 | Provincetown Public Pier Corporation |
| C. 391, St. 1998 | 19.125% of local room tax for wastewater enterprise fund |
| C. 278, St. 1998 | Transfer Station land exchange with CCNS, Commonwealth |
| C.193, St. 1997 | Public Works Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief to be residents of Town. |
| C.178, St. 1996 | Establishing the Tourism Fund |
| C. 133, St.1993 | Appointment of non-civil service Chief of Police |
| C. 264, St.1991 | Bicycle Traffic on Commerical St-- direction of travel |
| C. 790, St.1981 | Parking Fund to reduce the property tax levy |
For more information contact: Email to Office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 (508) 487-7013