Charter

What Is the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter?

The Barnstable County Home Rule Charter is the governing document for Barnstable County regional government. Approved by the voters of Barnstable County on November 8, 1988, it establishes the structure, powers, and responsibilities of county government and provides the legal framework for delivering regional services that benefit all 15 Cape Cod communities.

The Charter defines how the County is organized, outlines the responsibilities of its legislative and executive branches, and authorizes the County to address issues that extend beyond the boundaries of individual towns. While each Cape Cod town maintains its own local government, the Charter enables Barnstable County to coordinate regional programs and services that are more effectively provided on a countywide basis.

The Charter’s Vision

The Charter begins with a statement of purpose that reflects the vision of the Charter Commission and the voters who approved it in 1988.

“We the people of Barnstable County, in order to gain for ourselves and for our communities, all of the rights, powers, privileges, duties, and obligations which may now or in the future be derived from a regional government providing extensive services to its region known as Barnstable County and being fiscally sound, do reestablish for ourselves and for our communities the means and the structure to deal with regional issues which transcend the existing boundaries of municipal governments.”

— Barnstable County Home Rule Charter, November 8, 1988

How the Charter Was Created

In 1985, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 801 of the Acts of 1985, authorizing Barnstable County voters to determine whether to establish a Home Rule Charter.

The legislation created a 15-member elected Charter Commission, with one representative elected from each of Barnstable County’s fifteen towns. The Commission studied county government, conducted public meetings, gathered community input, and developed a proposed Home Rule Charter designed to meet Cape Cod’s regional needs.

After completing its work, the Commission submitted the proposed Charter to the voters of Barnstable County.

On November 8, 1988, Barnstable County voters approved the Home Rule Charter, establishing the framework for the regional government that continues to serve Cape Cod today.

What the Charter Does

Today, the Home Rule Charter serves as the County’s governing framework. It:

• Establishes the organization and structure of Barnstable County government.
• Defines the powers and responsibilities of the County’s legislative and executive branches.
• Authorizes the County to provide regional programs and services that benefit Cape Cod’s communities.
• Establishes procedures for County governance and decision-making.
• Provides the legal authority for regional cooperation among the County and its member municipalities.

Historical Documents

The following documents provide additional background on the creation and adoption of the Barnstable County Home Rule Charter.

Learn About the Charter Review Process

The Barnstable County Home Rule Charter includes a process for periodic review and potential amendment through an elected Charter Commission as provided under Massachusetts law.

To learn how the Charter review process works, view current information about Charter review, and access related resources, visit the Barnstable County Charter Review page.