First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Barnstable County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Dennis, Massachusetts
Dennis sits at the midpoint of Cape Cod, with shoreline on Cape Cod Bay to the north and Nantucket Sound to the south. Settled in 1639 and set off from Yarmouth as its own town in 1793, it takes its name from the Reverend Josiah Dennis. The town is made up of several distinct villages, from Dennis and East Dennis on the bay side to Dennis Port and West Dennis on the sound side, each with its own ZIP code.
Dennis at a glance
- $4.29Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $3,873Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 90-110 minDrive to Boston
- BarnstableCounty
Dennis's villages and zip codes
Dennis is split among five ZIP codes by village: 02638 (Dennis), 02639 (Dennis Port), 02641 (East Dennis), 02660 (South Dennis) and 02670 (West Dennis).
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| South Dennis | 02660 | Along Route 134 near Town Hall, in the central part of town. |
| Dennis | 02638 | The northern village on Cape Cod Bay, home to the Cape Playhouse and Scargo Lake. |
| East Dennis | 02641 | A bayside village east of Dennis center, near Sesuit Harbor. |
| Dennis Port | 02639 | A village on Nantucket Sound with several public beaches. |
| West Dennis | 02670 | The westernmost sound-side village, along the Bass River. |
Things to do in Dennis, MA
Start with Cape Playhouse and Scargo Tower, then 2 more below.
Cape Playhouse
Established in 1927, it is described as the oldest continuously operating summer theater in the United States, staging productions in the village of Dennis each season.
820 Route 6A, Dennis, MA
Scargo Tower
A stone observation tower on Scargo Hill overlooking Scargo Lake and, on clear days, Cape Cod Bay and Provincetown.
Scargo Hill Road, Dennis, MA
Mayflower Beach
A wide bay beach known for shallow, warm water at low tide, with a boardwalk over the dunes to the parking area.
Off Route 6A, Dennis, MA
Cape Cod Rail Trail
A paved bicycle and walking path that runs through Dennis on its way across the Cape, following the old Cape Cod Railroad bed.
Dennis, MA
More worth a visit
- Sesuit HarborA working harbor in East Dennis with boat access to Cape Cod Bay.
A little history
The area was settled in 1639 as part of Yarmouth and was set off as the separate town of Dennis in 1793, named for the Reverend Josiah Dennis.
The Shiverick Shipyard in Dennis built clipper ships during the 1800s, part of the town's shipbuilding history.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Dennis
Dennis has shoreline on both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, plus Scargo Lake and the Bass River inland, giving it beaches, freshwater swimming and a stretch of the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
- Mayflower BeachBay beach with a boardwalk and shallow water at low tide.
- Scargo LakeA freshwater kettle pond with swimming and boat access, overlooked by Scargo Tower.
- Cape Cod Rail TrailPaved multi-use trail passing through Dennis.
- Bass RiverA tidal river along the town's western border, used for boating and fishing.
Walkability and getting around Dennis
Village centers like Dennis on Route 6A have sidewalks near shops and the playhouse, but the town's beaches and residential areas are spread across five villages and are built around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 78 miles90-110 min
- Barnstable Municipal Airport, about 15 miles20-30 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) serves Dennis, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail runs through town for cyclists. There is no year-round passenger railroad; the seasonal Cape Flyer train connects Hyannis to Boston.
Dennis property taxes
Dennis's FY2026 residential tax rate is $4.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $429 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $3,873, on an average assessed value of $902,887.
Dennis's FY2026 tax rates
$4.29per $1,000, residential
- Residential$4.29 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$902,887
- Average single-family tax bill$3,873
- 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 | $5.60 |
| FY2023 | $4.67 |
| FY2024 | $4.39 |
| FY2025 | $4.33 |
| FY2026 | $4.29 |
Look up a Dennis property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Dennis
What we check on a Dennis purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & wells, coastal flood zones.
Check the flood zone first
Dennis has shoreline on both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, and low-lying parcels along the coast and the Bass River fall within FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for DennisSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dennis Fire/Rescue before the sale closes. Call 508-398-0363 to schedule.
Dennis Fire/Rescue pageMost homes are on septic systems
Dennis is largely outside sewered areas, so a Title 5 septic inspection is required before most home sales. Buyers should confirm septic status and any planned wastewater district changes early.
Check FEMA flood maps on both coasts
With shoreline on Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound, waterfront and low-lying parcels in Dennis can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a coastal property.
All 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 Dennis?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dennis address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Dennis: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Dennis: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service confirmed for most of town
- WaterDennis Water District
- Sewer or septicMost of Dennis relies on private septic systems; the town has been pursuing wastewater/sewer expansion in parts of its watershed.
- Trash and recyclingDennis Public Works manages trash and recycling through both curbside collection and a transfer station with resident passes.
- 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
Dennis Transfer Station
120 Theophilus F. Smith Road, South Dennis, MA 02660
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Dennis Town Hall is at 685 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Main line: 508-394-8300.
- Town HallMain line and website508-394-8300
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.
- Assessing DepartmentProperty values and assessments.
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning DepartmentZoning, land use, and planning applications.
- Recreation DepartmentTown recreation programs and facilities.
- Public WorksRoads, solid waste and recycling, and town facilities.508-760-6220
- Dennis LibrariesThe town's public libraries.
- Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School DistrictThe regional school district serving Dennis and Yarmouth.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits508-760-6158
Dennis, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Dennis, MA?
Dennis's FY2026 residential tax rate is $4.29 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 Dennis?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $1,716 a year at $4.29 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Dennis have a split tax rate?
No. Dennis uses a single rate of $4.29 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Dennis?
The average single-family tax bill in Dennis was $3,873 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $902,887.
What county is Dennis, MA in?
Dennis is in Barnstable County, on Cape Cod.
What ZIP codes does Dennis use?
Dennis is split among five ZIP codes by village: 02638 (Dennis), 02639 (Dennis Port), 02641 (East Dennis), 02660 (South Dennis) and 02670 (West Dennis).
Who supplies electricity in Dennis?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Dennis.
Is there curbside trash pickup in Dennis?
Yes. Dennis Public Works offers curbside collection along with a transfer station for residents.
Which school district serves Dennis?
Dennis is part of the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, shared with the town of Yarmouth.
How far is Dennis from Boston?
Dennis is about 78 miles from Boston, roughly 90-110 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Towns near Dennis
Neighbors of Dennis, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Dennis, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Dennis official website: town.dennis.ma.us
- Dennis Fire/Rescue: town.dennis.ma.us
- Dennis Board of Health: town.dennis.ma.us
- Dennis Public Works: town.dennis.ma.us
- Mayflower Beach panorama, Dennis, Massachusetts photo, 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: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.