Thanks to legislation signed by Governor Healey, single-family property owners now have the option to add a new rental apartment in their home or on their property.
What is an ADU?
An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a secondary residential living space located on the same lot of a single-family home. ADUs can play a significant role in our housing crisis. The ADU policy recently signed by the governor allows property owners to build an ADU without having to get special or discretionary approval from the local zoning board.
The ADU(Accessory Dwelling Units) draft regulations are intended to provide clarity on the administration of the new ADU law. EOHLC intends to issue final regulations by the effective date of the ADU law, February 2, 2025. There will be several opportunities to learn about the regulations, submit written comment, and to present comments at a public hearing.
ADUs can be within an existing primary residence, like converting a basement into an apartment, attached to a primary residence as a new construction addition, or completely detached, like a cottage or converted detached garage in a backyard.
The Affordable Homes Act amends the definition of “Accessory Dwelling Unit” under Section 1A of Chapter 40A of the General Laws to clarify that the maximum size of an ADU is no more than half of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller. The definition was also amended to prohibit owner-occupancy requirements and unreasonably restricting the creation or rental of an ADU that is not being used as a short-term rental, as that term is defined in room occupancy excise laws (Section 1 of Chapter 64G of the General Laws).
Read more:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/accessory-dwelling-units
https://masslandlords.net/accessory-dwelling-units-part-of-the-housing-crisis-solution/