'Formula businesses' restricted

One of the latest communities to restrict “formula businesses” is Provincetown, Massachusetts, which this spring adopted a bylaw discouraging future businesses with 10 or more branches worldwide. To be subject to the regulation, a business would have to exhibit traits of formula enterprises, such as a standardized menu or array of merchandise or standardized uniforms or signs.

The bylaw would not prohibit chain enterprises outright, but would require future ones to obtain a permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and site plan approval from the Planning Board. The bylaw would make it easier for Provincetown to restrict their size, lighting, and symbols.