Ashby center
895 Main Street, Ashby, MA 01431
Living in Ashby, Massachusetts
Ashby is a town at the northwestern corner of Middlesex County, first settled in 1676 and incorporated in 1767. It borders New Ipswich and Mason, New Hampshire, to the north and Fitchburg to the south. A large share of the town is forested, including a significant portion of Willard Brook State Forest and the Massachusetts side of Mount Watatic, and Ashby functions mainly as a residential community with limited commercial activity.
Ashby at a glance
- $15.76Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $6,225Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 20-25 minDrive to Fitchburg
- MiddlesexCounty
Ashby's zip code
The whole town uses ZIP code 01431.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Ashby center | 01431 | Along Main Street in the South Village area, where Town Hall and the Ashby Free Public Library are located. |
Things to do in Ashby, MA
Start with Willard Brook State Forest and Mount Watatic, then 1 more below.
Willard Brook State Forest
A 2,929-acre state forest spanning Ashby and Townsend, managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation since 1930. It has trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, a campground, and day-use areas for picnicking, swimming and fishing at Damon Pond and Trap Brook Falls, both developed by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s.
Route 119, Ashby, MA
Mount Watatic
A 1,832-foot monadnock straddling Ashby and Ashburnham at the southern end of the Wapack Range, crossed by the Wapack Trail and the Midstate Trail. Its former ski area, which operated from the 1930s to 1984, is now conservation land protected since a 2002 purchase and open for hiking to the summit.
Route 119, Ashby/Ashburnham line, MA
Ashby Free Public Library
The town's public library, founded in 1874, with an expansion using passive solar design completed in the early 2000s.
Ashby, MA
A little history
Ashby was first settled in 1676 and incorporated as a town in 1767.
Civilian Conservation Corps crews developed recreational features at Damon Pond and Trap Brook Falls in Willard Brook State Forest between 1933 and 1940.
Mount Watatic's ski area operated from the 1930s until 1984; a 1988 revival attempt failed, and the mountain was purchased for conservation in 2002.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Ashby
Ashby's outdoor recreation is anchored by Willard Brook State Forest, with trails, a campground and swimming at Damon Pond, and by Mount Watatic, a former ski mountain now open for hiking on the Wapack and Midstate trails.
- Willard Brook State ForestNearly 3,000 acres with trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, plus swimming and fishing at Damon Pond and a campground.
- Mount WataticA 1,832-foot summit on the Wapack and Midstate trails, on the site of a former ski area.
Walkability and getting around Ashby
Ashby center along Main Street has Town Hall and the library within walking distance of each other, but the town has no concentrated retail area. Most of Ashby, largely forested and rural, requires a car.
Drive times
- Fitchburg, about 11 miles20-25 min
- Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, about 35 miles45-55 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Ashby has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service; the nearest public transit is in Fitchburg.
Ashby property taxes
Ashby's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,576 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,225, on an average assessed value of $394,983.
Ashby's FY2026 tax rates
$15.76per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.76 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$394,983
- Average single-family tax bill$6,225
- Motor vehicle excise (statewide)$25 per $1,000 of value
Source: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
How the residential rate has changed
| Fiscal year | Residential rate |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | $17.69 |
| FY2023 | $16.42 |
| FY2024 | $15.53 |
| FY2025 | $15.23 |
| FY2026 | $15.76 |
Look up a Ashby property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Ashby
What we check on a Ashby purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, wells and septic, smoke & co certificate.
First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Middlesex County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansCheck the flood zone first
Willard Brook and its associated ponds, including Damon Pond, put some low-lying parcels near the state forest in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for AshbySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Ashby Fire and EMS Department before the sale closes.
Ashby Fire and EMS Department pageMost homes rely on private wells and septic systems
Ashby's Board of Health requires permits for septic system installation or modification and for drinking-water well installation. There is no townwide public water or sewer system, so a Title 5 septic inspection is typically required before a home sale closes.
Ashby Board of HealthMassachusetts requires a smoke and CO certificate before closing
Sellers in Massachusetts need a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance certificate from the local fire department before a sale can close. Contact Ashby Fire and EMS to schedule the inspection.
Ashby Fire and EMS DepartmentAll loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and property and program requirements. MassHousing limits and eligibility are set by MassHousing and change from time to time.
Thinking about buying in Ashby?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Ashby address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Ashby: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Ashby: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed
- WaterPrivate wells for most homes
- Sewer or septicMost of the town relies on private septic systems; there is no townwide public sewer system.
- Trash and recyclingAshby does not offer curbside trash collection. Residents bring trash and recyclables to the Ashby Recycle Center & Transfer Station (ARCTS), open to Ashby residents only, with an annual sticker.
- Registry of Motor VehiclesUpdate your address with the RMV within 30 days. Excise tax goes to the city or town where the car is garaged.Mass. RMV
Ashby Recycle Center & Transfer Station (ARCTS)
1140 Greenville Road (Route 31), Ashby, MA 01431 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., every other Saturday
Annual permit $50, valid July 1-June 30; day pass $20
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Ashby Town Hall is at 895 Main Street, Ashby, MA 01431. Main line: 978-386-2424.
- Town HallMain line and website978-386-2424
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and dog licenses.978-386-2424 ext. 121
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Tax CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building Department/Inspectional ServicesBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning BoardZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Board of HealthSeptic and well permits, and health regulations.978-386-2424 ext. 19
- Ashby Fire and EMS DepartmentFire prevention, suppression, EMS and smoke/CO inspections.
- Ashby Free Public LibraryThe town's public library.
- North Middlesex Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Ashby, Pepperell and Townsend.
Ashby, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Ashby, MA?
Ashby's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.76 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts fiscal years run July 1 to June 30.
How much are property taxes on a $400,000 home in Ashby?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,304 a year at $15.76 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Ashby have a split tax rate?
No. Ashby uses a single rate of $15.76 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Ashby?
The average single-family tax bill in Ashby was $6,225 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $394,983.
Is trash pickup curbside or transfer station in Ashby?
Ashby has no curbside trash collection. Residents use the Ashby Recycle Center & Transfer Station at 1140 Greenville Road, open every other Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a $50 annual resident permit (July 1-June 30).
Who supplies electricity in Ashby?
Eversource provides electric service in Ashby.
What ZIP code does Ashby use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01431.
Is there public transit in Ashby?
Ashby has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service; the nearest transit is in Fitchburg.
Does Ashby have public water and sewer?
No. Most homes in Ashby rely on private wells and septic systems.
How far is Ashby from Fitchburg?
Ashby borders Fitchburg directly and is about 11 miles from downtown Fitchburg, roughly a 20-to-25-minute drive.
Towns near Ashby
Neighbors of Ashby, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Ashby, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Willard Brook State Forest - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Mount Watatic - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Ashby, MA official website: ci.ashby.ma.us
- Ashby Recycle Center & Transfer Station (ARCTS): ci.ashby.ma.us
- Town Clerk - Ashby, MA: ci.ashby.ma.us
- Board of Health - Ashby, MA: ci.ashby.ma.us
- Ashby Fire and EMS Department: ashbyfire-ems.org
- Aerial photo of Ashby toward center, Wikimedia Commons: commons.wikimedia.org
- Tax rates and average single-family value and tax bill: Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Tax Rates by Class and Average Single Family Tax Bill.
- Motor vehicle excise: M.G.L. c. 60A, $25 per $1,000 of value statewide.
- Walkability: Walk Score®, provided live by Walk Score.
- Photo: Ashby1495, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.