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Subcommittee To Explore Accessory Dwelling Units Under New State Law

With Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signing into law earlier this month requiring towns to allow accessory dwelling units by right in residential-zoned areas, a Burlington Planning Board subcommittee will begin exploring potential bylaws to guide the practice here in town. 

The Affordable Housing Act, signed August 6, allows for accessory dwellings on the same lot as a single-family house as long as the unit is no larger than 900 square feet, but leaves room for Burlington to shape its own regulations about whether the unit has to be attached to the main dwelling, potential height restrictions, access to a driveway, and other matters. 

“I think this is going to be really helpful,” said Planning Director Liz Bonventre. “It’s actually an economic development tool for the state in that we are losing people left and right because there’s no housing. The housing life cycle is broken. If you’re an elderly person living in a single family house and A) can’t afford to maintain it and B) don’t want to leave town, where are you going to go? Young families can’t move in. We need to free up more options for more people.” 

The law goes into effect in February of 2025, which means Burlingotn has until January’s Town Meeting to craft zoning language and bylaws allowing the units by right. 

A subcommittee including Planning Board members Barbara L’Heureux and Jessica Sutherland will begin meeting on the issue leading up to January’s Town Meeting.