Sherborn center
19 Washington Street, Sherborn, MA 01770
Living in Sherborn, Massachusetts
Sherborn is a town in Middlesex County about 18 miles southwest of Boston in the MetroWest region, settled in 1652 and incorporated in 1674. The Charles River forms part of its border, running through Rocky Narrows, a 274-acre reservation of forest and 650-million-year-old granite cliffs. Sherborn shares its regional middle and high schools with neighboring Dover.
Sherborn at a glance
- $15.66Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $20,018Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 30-40 minDrive to Boston
- MiddlesexCounty
Sherborn's zip code
The whole town uses ZIP code 01770.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sherborn center | 01770 | Along Washington Street at the intersection with Route 27, where Town Hall, the Sherborn Library and First Parish Church stand. |
Things to do in Sherborn, MA
Start with Rocky Narrows Reservation and Sherborn Town Forest, then 3 more below.
Rocky Narrows Reservation
A 274-acre Trustees of Reservations property where the Charles River winds between granite cliff walls roughly 650 million years old. Seven miles of trails cross pine groves and wetlands, with a two-mile loop to the Rocky Narrows Overlook and a canoe landing on the river (no launching permitted at the landing).
South Main Street (Route 27), Sherborn, MA
Sherborn Town Forest
Town-owned forest adjoining Rocky Narrows, with a trail to King Philip's Overlook.
Sherborn, MA
Farm Pond
The town's main pond, holding most of Sherborn's surface water resources, with a memorial overlook and water-quality monitoring by a town advisory committee.
Sherborn, MA
First Parish Church
A historic meetinghouse in Sherborn center dating to the town's colonial-era congregation.
Sherborn center, Sherborn, MA
Sherborn Library
The town's public library on Sanger Street in Sherborn center.
4 Sanger Street, Sherborn, MA
A little history
Sherborn was settled by English colonists in 1652 and incorporated as a town in 1674.
The Whitney Farm on Whitney Street, a roughly 35-acre working farm with mid-19th-century buildings, illustrates the large farmsteads typical of Sherborn when the town was still primarily agricultural.
Sherborn and neighboring Dover share the regional Dover-Sherborn Middle School and High School.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Sherborn
Sherborn's outdoor recreation centers on the Charles River at Rocky Narrows, the adjoining Town Forest, and Farm Pond, which holds most of the town's surface water.
- Rocky Narrows ReservationSeven miles of trails along the Charles River between granite cliffs, with canoe access and a Bay Circuit Trail connection.
- Sherborn Town ForestTown forest trails leading to King Philip's Overlook, adjacent to Rocky Narrows.
- Farm PondThe town's principal pond, with a memorial overlook.
Walkability and getting around Sherborn
Sherborn center at Washington Street and Route 27 has Town Hall, the library and the church within walking distance of each other, but no retail strip. The rest of the town, built around large residential lots and conservation land, requires a car.
Drive times
- Boston, about 18 miles30-40 min
- Logan International Airport, about 25 miles40-50 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
Sherborn has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service; the nearest commuter rail stations are in neighboring Framingham and Natick.
Sherborn property taxes
Sherborn's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.66 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $1,566 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $20,018, on an average assessed value of $1,278,285.
Sherborn's FY2026 tax rates
$15.66per $1,000, residential
- Residential$15.66 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,278,285
- Average single-family tax bill$20,018
- 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 | $19.03 |
| FY2023 | $18.01 |
| FY2024 | $16.95 |
| FY2025 | $16.58 |
| FY2026 | $15.66 |
Look up a Sherborn 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 Sherborn
What we check on a Sherborn purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, private 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
The Charles River, which runs along Sherborn's border through Rocky Narrows, along with Farm Pond, puts some low-lying parcels in FEMA-mapped flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for SherbornSmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Sherborn Fire & Rescue Department before the sale closes. Call 508-653-3270 to schedule.
Sherborn Fire & Rescue Department pageNearly all homes are on private wells and septic
Sherborn has no townwide public water or sewer system. The Board of Health oversees septic systems and directs residents to certified labs for well water testing; a Title 5 septic inspection is typically required before a home sale closes.
Sherborn 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 Sherborn Fire & Rescue to schedule the inspection.
Sherborn Fire & Rescue 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 Sherborn?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Sherborn address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Sherborn: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Sherborn: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasEversource
- WaterPrivate wells for most homes
- Sewer or septicNearly all of the town relies on private septic systems; there is no townwide public sewer system.
- Trash and recyclingSherborn does not offer curbside trash collection. Residents bring trash and recyclables to the town's Recycling Center and Transfer Station, a dual-stream facility requiring separated paper/cardboard and containers.
- 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
Sherborn Recycling Center and Transfer Station
19 Washington Street, Sherborn, MA 01770 Wednesday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m. (gate locks 3:30 p.m.); closed Monday, Tuesday and holidays
Per-item fees apply for items such as mattresses and appliances ($30-$50 as of January 2024); a free kitchen pail program supports food-waste collection
Transfer station detailsTown Hall offices and contacts
Sherborn Town Hall is at 19 Washington Street, Sherborn, MA 01770. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (closed Fridays in July and August). Main line: 508-651-7850.
- Town HallMain line and website508-651-7850
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records and elections.508-651-7850
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.
- Collector/TreasurerProperty tax billing and payment.
- Building DepartmentBuilding permits and inspections.
- Planning BoardZoning, land use and planning applications.
- Department of Public WorksRoads, the transfer station and town infrastructure.
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, well guidance and health permits.508-651-7852
- Fire & Rescue DepartmentFire prevention, suppression and inspections.508-653-3270
- Sherborn LibraryThe town's public library.
- Dover-Sherborn Regional School DistrictThe regional middle and high school district serving Sherborn.
Sherborn, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Sherborn, MA?
Sherborn's FY2026 residential tax rate is $15.66 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 Sherborn?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $6,264 a year at $15.66 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Sherborn have a split tax rate?
No. Sherborn uses a single rate of $15.66 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Sherborn?
The average single-family tax bill in Sherborn was $20,018 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,278,285.
Is trash pickup curbside or transfer station in Sherborn?
Sherborn has no curbside trash collection. Residents use the town's Recycling Center and Transfer Station at 19 Washington Street, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Who supplies electricity and gas in Sherborn?
Eversource provides both electric and natural gas service in Sherborn.
What ZIP code does Sherborn use?
The whole town uses ZIP code 01770.
Is there public transit in Sherborn?
Sherborn has no MBTA Commuter Rail station or fixed-route local bus service; the nearest stations are in Framingham and Natick.
Does Sherborn have public water and sewer?
No. Nearly all homes in Sherborn rely on private wells and septic systems.
Which high school serves Sherborn?
Sherborn shares the regional Dover-Sherborn Middle School and High School with neighboring Dover.
Towns near Sherborn
Neighbors of Sherborn, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Sherborn, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Rocky Narrows - The Trustees of Reservations: thetrustees.org
- Town of Sherborn, MA official website: sherbornma.org
- Recycling Center and Transfer Station - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- Transfer Station Fees - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- Fire & Rescue Department - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- Town Clerk - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- Board of Health - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- The Whitney Farm - Sherborn, MA: sherbornma.org
- First Parish 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: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Checked September 25, 2026.