Lee center
32 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238
Living in Lee, Massachusetts
Lee is a town in the southern Berkshires of Massachusetts, set in a valley along the Housatonic River. It was incorporated in 1777 from parts of Great Barrington and Washington, and is known locally as the "Gateway to the Berkshires" for its position at Exit 2 of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in Massachusetts, lies within the town.
Lee at a glance
- $11.21Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $4,813Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 15-20 minDrive to Pittsfield
- BerkshireCounty
Lee's villages and zip codes
Lee's town center and East Lee use ZIP code 01238; South Lee uses 01260.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Lee center | 01238 | Along Main Street, where Town Hall, the library and downtown shops and restaurants are located. |
| South Lee | 01260 | A village along the Housatonic River south of the town center, home to the South Lee Historic District. |
| East Lee | 01238 | A hamlet east of the town center that grew up around the paper mills. |
Things to do in Lee, MA
Start with October Mountain State Forest and Lee Premium Outlets, then 3 more below.
October Mountain State Forest
The largest state forest in Massachusetts, with wooded trails, camping and access to a section of the Appalachian Trail. Part of the forest lies within Lee.
Woodland Road, Lee, MA
Lee Premium Outlets
An outlet shopping center about one mile east of downtown Lee via US Route 20, with name-brand stores at discount prices; the chamber of commerce describes it as the most-visited attraction in Berkshire County.
US Route 20, Lee, MA
Sandy Beach at Laurel Lake
A public swimming beach on Laurel Lake, shared with neighboring Lenox.
Laurel Lake, Lee, MA
South Lee Historic District
A National Register historic district along the Housatonic River in the village of South Lee, with 19th-century mill-era buildings.
South Lee, MA
Downtown Lee shops and restaurants
Main Street's storefronts include antique shops, a farmers market, and restaurants housed in a former blacksmith shop, a restored railroad depot and other historic buildings.
Main Street, Lee, MA
More worth a visit
- Beartown State ForestState forest with trails and Benedict Pond, partly within Lee's borders.
- Goose Pond ReservationA conservation area around Goose Pond used for fishing and paddling.
Around the calendar
- SeptemberLee Founders WeekendAn annual weekend of town events organized by the Lee Chamber of Commerce.
- SummerFestival Latino of the BerkshiresAn annual festival of Latin music and dance held in Lee.
A little history
The area was first settled by Europeans as "Dodgetown" in 1760 and was incorporated as Lee in 1777 from parts of Great Barrington and Washington, taking its name from Revolutionary War General Charles Lee.
Papermaking and marble quarrying became the town's major 19th-century industries, and Lee's paper mills gave rise to its East Lee village and its first fire company, the Forest Company, founded in 1855 to protect the mills.
The Lee Library building is the only Carnegie library building remaining in the Berkshires.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Lee
October Mountain State Forest, the largest in Massachusetts, and Beartown State Forest give Lee extensive wooded trails, while Laurel Lake and Goose Pond provide swimming and paddling.
- October Mountain State ForestMassachusetts's largest state forest, with trails, camping and a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
- Beartown State ForestState forest with trails and Benedict Pond, shared with neighboring towns.
- Sandy Beach at Laurel LakePublic swimming beach on Laurel Lake.
- Goose Pond ReservationConservation land around Goose Pond for fishing and paddling.
- Appalachian TrailThe trail crosses October Mountain State Forest within Lee.
Where to eat in Lee: restaurants and coffee
5 places in Lee to try, including historic restaurant and gastropub. No one paid to be listed.
Morgan House
Historic restaurant
A restaurant in a former 19th-century stagecoach inn in downtown Lee, per the Lee Chamber of Commerce dining guide.
Main Street, Lee, MA
The Station Gastropub
Gastropub
A restaurant housed in a restored railroad depot, per the Lee Chamber of Commerce dining guide.
Lee, MA
Salmon Run Fish House
Seafood restaurant
A seafood restaurant in Lee, per the Lee Chamber of Commerce dining guide.
Lee, MA
MINT Indian Cuisine
Indian restaurant
An Indian restaurant with lakeside dining, per the Lee Chamber of Commerce dining guide.
Lee, MA
51 Park Restaurant & Tavern
Italian restaurant and tavern
A restaurant and tavern serving Italian food, tavern fare and pizza, per the Lee Chamber of Commerce dining guide.
51 Park St, Lee, MA
Walkability and getting around Lee
Downtown Lee's Main Street has sidewalks connecting shops, restaurants and Town Hall within a compact area, but Lee Premium Outlets, the state forests and outlying villages require a car.
South Lee
East Lee
Drive times
- Pittsfield, about 10 miles15-20 min
- Albany International Airport, about 45 miles55-60 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
BRTA Route 2 runs between Lee Premium Outlets and the Pittsfield Intermodal Transportation Center via Route 7A, East Street and Housatonic Street. BRTA Route 21 connects the Claire Teague Senior Center to Lee Premium Outlets via Routes 102 and 183. Lee has no train station.
Lee property taxes
Lee's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.21 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,121 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $4,813, on an average assessed value of $429,359.
Lee's FY2026 tax rates
$11.21per $1,000, residential
- Residential$11.21 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$429,359
- Average single-family tax bill$4,813
- 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 | $13.65 |
| FY2023 | $11.83 |
| FY2024 | $11.24 |
| FY2025 | $11.25 |
| FY2026 | $11.21 |
Look up a Lee property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 413-243-5512
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Lee
What we check on a Lee purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, shared building department, title 5 septic, river flood zone.
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 loansCheck the flood zone first
Lee sits in a valley along the Housatonic River, which puts low-lying parcels near the river, including parts of South Lee, in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for LeeSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Lee Fire Department before the sale closes.
Building inspections are a shared regional service
Since October 2024, Lee's Building Inspections Department has been a shared service with Lenox, Great Barrington and Stockbridge. Permit and inspection scheduling goes through the shared Lee office.
Homes on septic need a Title 5 inspection before sale
The regional Tri-Town Health Department, which covers Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge, handles Title 5 septic system and private well information. Buyers of homes on septic should confirm inspection status before closing.
Check FEMA flood maps near the Housatonic River
Lee sits in a valley along the Housatonic River, and low-lying parcels near the river can fall within FEMA flood zones. We check the flood map before you make an offer on a property near the river.
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 Lee?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Lee address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Lee: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Lee.
- 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
Town Hall offices and contacts
Lee Town Hall is at 32 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238. Hours: Monday, Wednesday: 8:30am-4:00pm; Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30am-5:30pm; Friday: 8:30am-12:30pm. Main line: 413-243-5500.
- Town HallMain line and website413-243-5500
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, elections and business certificates.413-243-5505
- AssessorProperty values, assessments and abatement applications.413-243-5512
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax and water/sewer bill payment.413-409-5978
- Shared Building Inspections DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections, shared with Lenox, Great Barrington and Stockbridge.413-243-5518
- Land Use (Planning & Zoning)Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and short-term rental registration.413-243-5517
- Department of Public WorksRoads, water, sewer, cemetery and highway services.
- Tri-Town Health DepartmentRegional Board of Health serving Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge; handles Title 5 septic and well information.413-243-5540
- Fire and RescueFire, ambulance and pre-sale inspections.413-243-5550
- Lee LibraryThe town's public library, the only remaining Carnegie library building in the Berkshires.
Lee, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Lee, MA?
Lee's FY2026 residential tax rate is $11.21 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 Lee?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $4,484 a year at $11.21 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Lee have a split tax rate?
No. Lee uses a single rate of $11.21 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Lee?
The average single-family tax bill in Lee was $4,813 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $429,359.
What county is Lee, MA in?
Lee is in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
What ZIP codes does Lee use?
Lee's town center and East Lee use 01238; South Lee uses 01260.
How far is Lee from Pittsfield?
Lee is about 10 miles south of Pittsfield, roughly a 15-20 minute drive.
Is there a train station in Lee?
No. Lee has no train station; BRTA bus routes connect Lee Premium Outlets to Pittsfield and other Berkshire towns.
Who handles Title 5 septic and well questions in Lee?
The regional Tri-Town Health Department, serving Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge, handles Title 5 septic inspections and private well information.
Which towns border Lee?
Lee borders Lenox, Washington, Becket, Tyringham, Great Barrington and Stockbridge.
Towns near Lee
Neighbors of Lee, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Lee, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Lee official website: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Assessor: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Town Clerk: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Treasurer/Collector: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Shared Building Inspections Department: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Land Use: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Tri-Town Health Department: leema.gov
- Town of Lee - Fire and Rescue: leema.gov
- Lee Chamber of Commerce - Dine: leechamber.org
- Lee Chamber of Commerce - Outdoor: leechamber.org
- Lee Chamber of Commerce - Festivals: leechamber.org
- Berkshire Regional Transit Authority - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Lee MA 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: Ascended Dreamer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.