First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Norfolk County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loans
Living in Dover, Massachusetts
Dover is a town on the south banks of the Charles River, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston. First settled in 1640 as part of Dedham, it operated as the Parish and then District of Dover before its official incorporation as a town in 1836. Almost all of Dover's residential zoning requires lots of one acre or larger, giving it a low-density, wooded character.
Dover at a glance
- $11.19Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $19,088Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- NorfolkCounty
- 1836Year incorporated
Dover's zip code
Dover uses the 02030 zip code.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Dover center | 02030 | The town center around the Dover Town House on Springdale Avenue. |
Things to do in Dover, MA
Start with Elm Bank Horticulture Center and Benjamin Caryl House, then 3 more below.
Elm Bank Horticulture Center
A horticulture center dating to 1876, shared with neighboring Wellesley along the Charles River, with gardens and grounds open to the public.
Dover/Wellesley, MA
Benjamin Caryl House
A historic house built in 1777, associated with the town's early history.
Dover, MA
Dover Sun House
One of the world's first solar-heated houses, designed in 1948, a notable piece of Dover's architectural history.
Dover, MA
The Dover Church
A historic church building in the town center.
Dover, MA
Caryl Community Center
The town's community center, run by the Parks and Recreation Department.
Dover, MA
A little history
Dover was first settled in 1640 as part of Dedham, later becoming the Parish and then District of Dover before its official incorporation as a town in 1836.
The Dover Sun House, designed in 1948, was one of the world's first solar-heated houses.
Dover is associated with the Dover Demon, a cryptid reportedly sighted on April 21-22, 1977.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Dover
Dover's low-density, wooded zoning and frontage on the Charles River give the town large tracts of open land, including the Elm Bank Horticulture Center it shares with Wellesley.
- Elm Bank Horticulture CenterGardens and grounds along the Charles River, shared with Wellesley.
- Charles RiverForms Dover's northern border with Natick, Wellesley, and Needham.
Walkability and getting around Dover
Dover's low-density, one-acre-minimum zoning means the town has little sidewalk infrastructure outside the small center, and it is built almost entirely around driving.
Drive times
- Boston, about 15 miles
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Dover has no MBTA Commuter Rail station within town; residents typically drive to stations in neighboring towns. There is no fixed-route public transit within Dover.
Dover property taxes
Dover's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.19 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,119 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $19,088, on an average assessed value of $1,705,816.
Dover's FY2026 tax rates
$11.19per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.19 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,705,816
- Average single-family tax bill$19,088
- 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 | $12.42 |
| FY2023 | $12.19 |
| FY2024 | $10.96 |
| FY2025 | $11.27 |
| FY2026 | $11.19 |
Look up a Dover property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-785-0032 ext. 223
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Dover
What we check on a Dover purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, smoke & co certificate, large lots, private wells and septic.
Check the flood zone first
The Charles River forms Dover's northern border with Natick, Wellesley, and Needham, putting low-lying parcels near the river in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for DoverSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Dover Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-785-1130 to schedule.
Dover Fire Department pageMassachusetts 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 home sale can close. The Dover Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Gerard T. Smith, handles these inspections.
Dover Fire DepartmentOne-acre-minimum zoning means many homes rely on private wells and septic
Almost all of Dover's residential zoning requires lots of one acre or larger, and homes on large, wooded lots are more likely to rely on private wells and septic systems. Massachusetts requires a Title 5 septic inspection before most home sales involving a septic system.
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 Dover?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Dover address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Dover: utilities, trash and town house
Who to call in Dover.
- Trash and recyclingDover does not have curbside trash pickup; residents use the town Transfer Station.
- 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
Dover Transfer Station
211 Powisset Street, Dover, MA 02030 Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
No fee for the required access sticker; a $45 fee applies per mattress or box spring dropped off.
Transfer station detailsTown House offices and contacts
Dover Town House is at 5 Springdale Avenue, Dover, MA 02030. Main line: 508-785-0032.
- Town HouseMain line and website508-785-0032
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.508-785-0032 ext. 226
- AssessorProperty values and assessments.508-785-0032 ext. 223
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-785-0032 ext. 237
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.508-785-0032 ext. 225
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.508-785-0032 ext. 240
- Parks & RecreationTown recreation programs and the Caryl Community Center.508-785-0476 ext. 730
- Highway Department / DPWRoads and the town Transfer Station.508-785-0058 ext. 161
- Dover Town LibraryThe town's public library.
- Dover-Sherborn Regional School DistrictThe town's regional school district, shared with Sherborn.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic, wells and permits508-785-0032 ext. 243
Dover, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Dover, MA?
Dover's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.19 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 Dover?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,476 a year at $11.19 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Dover have a split tax rate?
No. Dover uses a single rate of $11.19 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Dover?
The average single-family tax bill in Dover was $19,088 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,705,816.
What county is Dover in?
Dover is in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP code does Dover use?
Dover uses ZIP code 02030.
Does Dover have curbside trash pickup?
No. Dover does not offer curbside collection; residents bring trash and recycling to the town Transfer Station at 211 Powisset Street, open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The access sticker is free.
How far is Dover from Boston?
Dover is about 15 miles southwest of downtown Boston.
What is Dover's minimum residential lot size?
Almost all of Dover's residential zoning requires lots of one acre or larger.
What school district serves Dover?
Dover's Chickering Elementary School serves grades K-5, and the town is part of the Dover-Sherborn Regional School District for middle and high school, shared with Sherborn.
Towns near Dover
Neighbors of Dover, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Dover, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Dover official website: doverma.gov
- Staff Directory - Dover, MA: doverma.gov
- Transfer Station - Dover, MA: doverma.gov
- The Dover Church 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: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.