Bourne, MA: Buyer's Guide

At a glance

Villages & areas

Bourne covers about 41 square miles. The Cape Cod Canal splits it into two parts. The Bourne and Sagamore bridges and the railroad bridge are all in town, and Town Hall is at 24 Perry Avenue in Buzzards Bay.

Mainland side (north and west of the canal)

Buzzards Bay is the town's commercial village at the west end of the canal, with Main Street and access to the canal service roads, which are popular for biking and walking. Bournedale is mostly wooded, with Route 6 and the Scenic Highway running through it. Sagamore Beach sits on Cape Cod Bay north of the canal and has bluff-top and beach-area homes, from cottages to year-round houses. Housing on this side ranges from village homes and multi-family near Main Street to wooded subdivisions and bay-front cottages.

Cape side (south and east of the canal)

Sagamore is at the Cape end of the Sagamore Bridge. Bourne Village is near the Bourne Bridge. Going south along Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset and Cataumet line Route 28A, with harbors and coves such as Phinney's Harbor, Pocasset Harbor, Red Brook Harbor and Megansett. Housing here includes waterfront and water-view homes, mid-century Capes and ranches, and newer homes on wooded lots. Part of Joint Base Cape Cod lies within Bourne's boundaries.

Septic & Sewer

Expect a Title 5 septic inspection on most Bourne sales. There is sewer in parts of Buzzards Bay village, but most of town is on on-site septic systems, and waterfront lots along Buzzards Bay often have tight setbacks to wetlands and the coast. Before you make an offer:

• Ask the Board of Health for the septic file, including past inspections, repairs and any variances.
• Ask whether the property is in or near a planned sewer area or a Nitrogen Sensitive Area that could require an upgraded (I/A) system.
• On coastal lots, check whether any replacement system would be limited by flood zone or wetland setbacks.

Bourne's current Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan status could not be verified for this guide. Confirm it with the town's Board of Health or DPW (Town of Bourne). Regional context is on the Cape Cod Commission 208 Plan page. The basics are on our septic, sewer & nitrogen guide.

Water, Flood & Environment

Bourne's public water comes from more than one independent district. Each district publishes its own annual Consumer Confidence Report, the water quality report, and sets its own rates. Confirm which district serves a property, ask for the latest report, and check for any PFAS notices. If a home is on a private well, test it during your inspection period. Our water & flood guide covers what to test.

Flood: Buzzards Bay faces southwest, and its shoreline in Bourne is exposed to storm surge. Areas around Buzzards Bay village, Monument Beach, Pocasset and Cataumet include FEMA flood zones, and Sagamore Beach has coastal bluffs. Check any address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get insurance quotes early.

Ponds and open space: Bourne has freshwater ponds, the canal's recreation paths, and conservation land. Work near wetlands or the coast needs Conservation Commission review.

Living here

• Beaches and stickers: The town has beaches on Buzzards Bay (such as Monument Beach) and Cape Cod Bay. Resident beach permits and transfer station permits are issued by the town. Check where and how to buy them on the town website.
• Transfer station: Bourne runs its own solid waste facility. Confirm resident permit rules and fees with the town.
• Harbors and moorings: The town's harbors and coves on Buzzards Bay are managed by the town's harbormaster/natural resources staff. Mooring waitlists are common, so buying waterfront doesn't guarantee a mooring.
• Getting around: Route 6 (Sagamore Bridge) connects to Route 3 toward Boston. Route 28 and Route 25 (Bourne Bridge) connect toward I-495 and Providence. Route 28A runs along the Buzzards Bay shore. CCRTA runs fixed-route bus service, and the canal region got added service in 2020.
• Healthcare: The closest Cape hospital is Falmouth Hospital. Off-Cape hospitals are reachable over the bridges.
• Short-term rentals: Ask the town about any local registration rules, and ask your attorney about state short-term rental registration and tax requirements.

Official links

• Town of BourneMain town website. Use its department directory for the offices below. · Town of Bourne
• Assessors / property database & GISConfirm with town: assessed values, tax rate, exemptions · Town of Bourne
• Board of HealthConfirm with town: septic and Title 5 records, wells · Town of Bourne
• Building DepartmentConfirm with town: permits and permit history · Town of Bourne
• Harbormaster / Natural ResourcesConfirm with town: moorings, shellfish, landings · Town of Bourne
• Conservation CommissionConfirm with town: wetlands and coastal permitting · Town of Bourne
• Veterans' ServicesConfirm with town: local VSO · Town of Bourne
• Town ClerkConfirm with town: voter registration, census, licenses · Town of Bourne
• Bourne community profileGovernment form, area, tax data · Massachusetts Municipal Association