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Lanesborough Town Hall in Lanesborough, Massachusetts.

Living in Lanesborough, Massachusetts

Lanesborough is a town in central Berkshire County, Massachusetts, one of the first towns settled in the county. First called Richfield, then New Framingham, it was incorporated in 1765 and renamed for the Countess of Lanesborough, a friend of colonial governor Francis Bernard. The town shares Pontoosuc Lake with the City of Pittsfield and includes part of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts.

Photo: ToddC4176, CC BY-SA 3.0

Lanesborough at a glance

Lanesborough's villages and zip codes

Lanesborough's town center and Berkshire Village use ZIP code 01237.

Lanesborough villages and zip codes
AreaZip codeWhere it is
Lanesborough center01237Along North Main Street, where Town Hall and the town center are located.
Berkshire Village01237A section of town that grew up around a turn-of-the-19th-century glassworks, known today for one of the area's few remaining open springs.

Things to do in Lanesborough, MA

Start with Balance Rock State Park and Mount Greylock State Reservation, then 2 more below.

  1. Balance Rock State Park

    A state park centered on a triangular glacial boulder about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, balanced on its tip atop another rock.

    FreeYear-round

    Lanesborough, MA

  2. Mount Greylock State Reservation

    Part of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts, lies in Lanesborough. Rockwell Road provides the main access to the summit and passes the Greylock Visitor's Center, with exhibits and views of the Housatonic Valley.

    FreeYear-round

    Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA

  3. Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

    A paved rail trail on a former railroad bed running through Lanesborough, Cheshire and Adams, used for walking and biking.

    FreeYear-round

    Lanesborough, MA

  4. Pontoosuc Lake

    One of the largest lakes in Berkshire County, shared between Lanesborough and Pittsfield, popular for boating and fishing.

    Seasonal

    Lanesborough, MA

More worth a visit

  • Berkshire Mall areaA retail area adjacent to Pittsfield that is one of the town's largest employers.

Around the calendar

  • Summer
    Lanesborough DayAn annual town community event.

A little history

Lanesborough was one of the first towns settled in Berkshire County, first named Richfield, then New Framingham, before being incorporated in 1765 and renamed for the Countess of Lanesborough.

Iron was discovered in town in 1847, leading to the Briggs Iron Company, later the Lanesborough Iron Works, and the town also quarried and shipped marble; more than $200,000 worth was shipped in a single year in the 1840s.

Henry Wheeler Shaw, who wrote as "Josh Billings" and gained fame in the 1800s as a humorist, was Lanesborough's most famous native.

Parks, trails and outdoors in Lanesborough

Lanesborough holds part of Mount Greylock, shares Pontoosuc Lake with Pittsfield, and connects to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, giving the town both mountain and lakeside recreation.

  • Mount Greylock State ReservationTrails and auto road access to the summit of Massachusetts's highest peak.
  • Balance Rock State ParkA state park built around a glacial balancing boulder.
  • Pontoosuc LakeA large lake shared with Pittsfield, used for boating and fishing.
  • Ashuwillticook Rail TrailPaved rail trail through Lanesborough, Cheshire and Adams.

Where to eat in Lanesborough: restaurants and coffee

5 places in Lanesborough to try, including restaurant and sports pub and restaurant. No one paid to be listed.

Walkability and getting around Lanesborough

Lanesborough's town center along North Main Street has limited sidewalks, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail offers a car-free route toward Cheshire and Adams, but most of the town, including its lake and mountain attractions, requires a car.

Lanesborough center

83 North Main Street, Lanesborough, MA 01237

Check any Lanesborough address

Drive times

  • Pittsfield, about 5 miles10-15 min
  • Albany International Airport, about 45 miles55-60 min

Approximate, without traffic.

By bus or train

BRTA bus routes serve the Route 7 corridor between Pittsfield and points north, which passes through Lanesborough. The town has no train station.

Lanesborough property taxes

Lanesborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,729 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $6,135, on an average assessed value of $354,810.

Lanesborough's FY2026 tax rates

$17.29per $1,000, residential

  • Residential$17.29 per $1,000
  • Average single-family assessed value$354,810
  • Average single-family tax bill$6,135
  • 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.

Lanesborough property tax calculator

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Assessed value (100%)
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Taxes a year
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About this much a month
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Estimate at the FY2026 residential rate; the assessor's value sets the bill.

How the residential rate has changed

Fiscal yearResidential rate
FY2022$19.10
FY2023$17.67
FY2024$17.01
FY2025$16.73
FY2026$17.29

Look up a Lanesborough property

Buying a home in Lanesborough

What we check on a Lanesborough purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, no curbside trash, water district, lake and brook flood zones.

MassHousing

First-time buyer programs

MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Berkshire County. We check them with you before you shop.

MassHousing home loans
Flood maps

Check the flood zone first

Lanesborough spans the valley of Town Brook, which runs into Pontoosuc Lake and Cheshire Reservoir, putting some low-lying parcels near the lake and brook in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.

FEMA's flood map for Lanesborough
Before closing

Smoke and CO certificate

Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Lanesborough Fire Department before the sale closes.

No curbside trash

Trash goes to the Recycling Center, not curbside pickup

Lanesborough does not offer curbside trash collection. Residents bring trash and recyclables to the town's Recycling Center at 10 Maple Court.

Water district

Confirm which water district serves a property

Parts of Lanesborough are served by the Lanesborough Water District rather than a single townwide system; buyers should confirm water service for a specific address.

Lake and brook flood zones

Check FEMA flood maps near Pontoosuc Lake

Lanesborough shares Pontoosuc Lake with Pittsfield, and parcels near the lake or Town Brook can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the water.

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.

James Allen

Thinking about buying in Lanesborough?

We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Lanesborough address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.

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Moving to Lanesborough: utilities, trash and town hall

Who to call in Lanesborough.

Lanesborough Recycling Center

10 Maple Court, Lanesborough, MA 01237

Transfer station details

Town Hall offices and contacts

Lanesborough Town Hall is at 83 North Main Street, Lanesborough, MA 01237. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm (closed 12:00-1:00pm), Monday evening 5:00-7:00pm; closed on holidays.

Lanesborough, MA FAQ: taxes and town services

What is the property tax rate in Lanesborough, MA?

Lanesborough's FY2026 residential tax rate is $17.29 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 Lanesborough?

Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,916 a year at $17.29 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.

Does Lanesborough have a split tax rate?

No. Lanesborough uses a single rate of $17.29 per $1,000 for all property classes.

What is the average single-family tax bill in Lanesborough?

The average single-family tax bill in Lanesborough was $6,135 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $354,810.

What county is Lanesborough, MA in?

Lanesborough is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

What ZIP code does Lanesborough use?

Lanesborough, including Berkshire Village, uses ZIP code 01237.

Is trash pickup curbside in Lanesborough?

No. Residents bring trash and recycling to the town's Recycling Center at 10 Maple Court.

How far is Lanesborough from Pittsfield?

Lanesborough is about 5 miles north of Pittsfield, roughly a 10-15 minute drive.

Is there a train station in Lanesborough?

No. Lanesborough has no train station.

Which towns border Lanesborough?

Lanesborough borders New Ashford, Cheshire, Dalton, Pittsfield and Hancock.

Towns near Lanesborough

Neighbors of Lanesborough, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.

Sources