First-time buyer programs
MassHousing sets its own income and price limits for Dukes County. We check them with you before you shop.
MassHousing home loansLiving in Tisbury, Massachusetts
Tisbury is a town on the north shore of Martha's Vineyard, whose main village, Vineyard Haven, is the island's principal year-round ferry port. Incorporated in 1671 and known historically as Holmes Hole, Tisbury shares a common corner with West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. Vineyard Haven Harbor, Lake Tashmoo and West Chop mark its shoreline.
Tisbury at a glance
- $7.42Residential tax rate per $1,000, FY2026
- $12,513Average single-family tax bill, FY2026
- 45 (ferry) minDrive to Falmouth (via ferry)
- DukesCounty
Tisbury's villages and zip codes
Tisbury uses ZIP code 02568 (Vineyard Haven) for the whole town.
| Area | Zip code | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| Vineyard Haven | 02568 | Tisbury's main village and town center, around the harbor and the Steamship Authority ferry terminal. |
| West Chop | 02568 | The point at the northern tip of Tisbury, marked by the West Chop Light (1891). |
| Lambert's Cove | 02568 | A rural area on Tisbury's western side, near Lambert's Cove Beach. |
Things to do in Tisbury, MA
Start with Vineyard Haven Harbor and West Chop Light, then 1 more below.
Vineyard Haven Harbor
The island's main year-round ferry port, with the Steamship Authority terminal, shops and restaurants along Main Street close by.
Main St, Vineyard Haven, MA
West Chop Light
An 1891 lighthouse marking Tisbury's northernmost point, at the entrance to Vineyard Haven Harbor.
West Chop Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA
Lake Tashmoo
A tidal great pond south of West Chop, used for swimming, shellfishing and small-boat access to Vineyard Sound.
Herring Creek Rd, Vineyard Haven, MA
A little history
Tisbury was incorporated in 1671, one of the Vineyard's original towns, and its harbor village was long known as Holmes Hole before adopting the Vineyard Haven name.
The town was divided to its current boundaries, separating from what became West Tisbury, in 1892.
Vineyard Haven Harbor has served as the island's principal year-round ferry connection to the mainland for generations.
Parks, trails and outdoors in Tisbury
Tisbury's shoreline runs from the working harbor at Vineyard Haven to the quieter tidal waters of Lake Tashmoo and the bluffs at West Chop.
- Lake TashmooTidal pond used for swimming and shellfishing, with a town landing.
- West ChopBluff and lighthouse point at the harbor entrance.
- Lambert's Cove BeachA beach on Tisbury's western shore along Vineyard Sound.
Walkability and getting around Tisbury
Vineyard Haven's Main Street and harbor area are walkable, with the ferry terminal, shops and restaurants close together. The rest of Tisbury, including Lambert's Cove and West Chop, is more spread out and generally requires a car or bicycle.
Drive times
- Falmouth (via ferry), about 7 miles45 (ferry) min
- Martha's Vineyard Airport, about 4 miles10 min
Approximate, without traffic.
By bus or train
The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) operates island bus routes through Vineyard Haven. The Steamship Authority runs year-round car-and-passenger ferries between Vineyard Haven and Woods Hole, plus seasonal service toward New Bedford and Nantucket. There is no train service on Martha's Vineyard.
Tisbury property taxes
Tisbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.42 per $1,000 of assessed value. Massachusetts assesses homes at full value, so each $100,000 of assessed value costs about $742 a year. The average single-family tax bill was $12,513, on an average assessed value of $1,686,344.
Tisbury's FY2026 tax rates
$7.42per $1,000, residential
- Residential$7.42 per $1,000
- Average single-family assessed value$1,686,344
- Average single-family tax bill$12,513
- 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 | $8.70 |
| FY2023 | $7.32 |
| FY2024 | $7.98 |
| FY2025 | $7.57 |
| FY2026 | $7.42 |
Look up a Tisbury property
- FEMA flood mapWhether a lender will require flood insurance
- Town ClerkVital records and town records
- Assessors' officeQuestions about a value: 508-696-4206
- Registry of DeedsDeeds and mortgages for the county
Buying a home in Tisbury
What we check on a Tisbury purchase: MassHousing limits, the flood map, the smoke certificate, septic & title 5, coastal flood zone.
Check the flood zone first
Tisbury's harbor front along Vineyard Haven Harbor and low-lying shoreline near Lake Tashmoo and West Chop fall within FEMA-mapped coastal flood zones. We check FEMA's map before you offer.
FEMA's flood map for TisburySmoke and CO certificate
Massachusetts requires the seller to get a smoke and carbon monoxide certificate from the Tisbury Fire Department before the sale closes. Call 508-696-4246 to schedule.
Tisbury Fire Department pageConfirm septic status before closing
Outside Vineyard Haven's center, much of Tisbury relies on private septic systems. Massachusetts law requires a Title 5 septic inspection before a home on a septic system can be sold.
Check FEMA flood maps near the harbor
Property near Vineyard Haven Harbor, Lake Tashmoo or West Chop may fall within a FEMA flood zone, which can affect insurance requirements. We check the flood map before you make an offer.
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 Tisbury?
We're licensed in Massachusetts. Send us a Tisbury address and we'll run the numbers, taxes included.
Moving to Tisbury: utilities, trash and town hall
Who to call in Tisbury: Eversource for power.
- ElectricEversource
- Natural gasNo natural gas service
- WaterTisbury Water Department
- Sewer or septicTisbury's Vineyard Haven center is served by town sewer; outlying areas, including Lambert's Cove, rely largely on septic systems.
- Trash and recyclingThe town's website lists trash and recycling details for residents.
- 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
Tisbury Town Hall is at 51 Spring Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Main line: 508-696-4200.
- Town HallMain line and website508-696-4200
- Town ClerkLand records, vital records, and elections.508-696-4215
- Board of AssessorsProperty values and assessments.508-696-4206
- Treasurer/CollectorProperty tax billing and payment.508-696-4250
- Building & ZoningBuilding permits and inspections.508-696-4280
- Planning BoardZoning, land use, and planning applications.508-696-4270
- Recreation & ParksTown parks and recreation programs.
- Public WorksRoads, town facilities, and infrastructure.508-696-4220
- Board of HealthTitle 5 septic inspections, wells, and public health.508-696-4290
- Fire DepartmentFire department; smoke and carbon-monoxide certificates for home sales.508-696-4246
Tisbury, MA FAQ: taxes and town services
What is the property tax rate in Tisbury, MA?
Tisbury's FY2026 residential tax rate is $7.42 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 Tisbury?
Massachusetts taxes homes on their full assessed value. If a home is assessed at $400,000, that's about $2,968 a year at $7.42 per $1,000. The bill uses the assessor's value, not the sale price.
Does Tisbury have a split tax rate?
No. Tisbury uses a single rate of $7.42 per $1,000 for all property classes.
What is the average single-family tax bill in Tisbury?
The average single-family tax bill in Tisbury was $12,513 for FY2026, on an average assessed value of $1,686,344.
What county is Tisbury in?
Tisbury is in Dukes County, on Martha's Vineyard.
What ZIP code does Tisbury use?
Tisbury uses ZIP code 02568, the Vineyard Haven ZIP.
How do you get to Tisbury?
The Steamship Authority operates year-round car-and-passenger ferry service between Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven, Tisbury's main village.
Is there public transit in Tisbury?
Yes. The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) operates island bus routes through Vineyard Haven.
Who supplies electricity in Tisbury?
Eversource is the electric utility serving Tisbury.
Towns near Tisbury
Neighbors of Tisbury, including across the Connecticut line where it applies. All Massachusetts town guides.
Sources
- Tisbury, Massachusetts - Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
- Town of Tisbury official website: tisburyma.gov
- Town of Tisbury directory: tisburyma.gov
- 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.
- Checked September 25, 2026.