Housing (Zoning)

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2615: An Act eliminating discrimination against municipalities who are unable to meet certain zoning requirements

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Colleen M. Garry for legislation to eliminate discrimination against municipalities who are unable to meet certain zoning requirements. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill eliminates discrimination against municipalities unable to meet zoning requirements, likely related to housing development barriers. Removing penalties supports housing projects by preventing disincentives for non-compliance.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 22, 2025

H 2348: An Act relative to exclusionary zoning

By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2348) of Andres X. Vargas that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities be authorized to regulate exclusionary zoning. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates exclusionary zoning to promote inclusive housing development, advancing affordable housing access by removing barriers to diverse housing types.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 4707: An Act allowing movable tiny houses as permanent residential dwellings and accessory dwelling units

This bill allows movable tiny houses (under 400 sq ft, excluding certain features) to be used as permanent primary residences or accessory dwelling units on single-family lots. It requires local towns to establish a registration system through the Registry of Motor Vehicles ($100 fee), with standards for safety, zoning (like septic systems), and building code compliance (with relaxed insulation requirements). After 180 days of residency, tiny houses must have a permanent address, utilities, and pass an inspection for a certificate of occupancy. Local governments can set stricter rules but cannot ban tiny houses outright, and may offer tax incentives for hosting them.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows tiny homes as permanent residences, expanding affordable housing options by enabling low-cost, flexible housing on single-family lots without restricting development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 2308: An Act relative to multi-family zoning in MBTA communities

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2308) of Marc T. Lombardo, Colleen M. Garry and John R. Gaskey relative to multi-family zoning in MBTA communities. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits multi-family zoning in MBTA communities, increasing housing supply and affordability through zoning reform, directly advancing housing development goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1220: An Act encouraging smart growth and starter home zoning adoption

This bill provides financial incentives to Massachusetts cities and towns that adopt "smart growth zoning districts" or "starter home zoning districts." It establishes two payment systems: (1) a tiered payment based on projected new housing units (e.g., $20,000 for up to 20 units, $1.2 million for 500+ units), and (2) a $6,000 per-unit bonus paid upon issuance of building permits for new housing in these districts. The payments are funded by state appropriations and require department approval of the zoning districts. It directly affects local governments that implement these zoning policies to encourage new housing development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly funds housing incentives through state appropriations, allocating new budget resources to encourage zoning adoption.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides direct state funding incentives for municipalities to adopt zoning that increases housing supply (starter homes), explicitly advancing affordable housing development through financial rewards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3461: An Act relative to exclusionary zoning

This bill would authorize Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to regulate exclusionary zoning. It requires the office to define exclusionary zoning, create a process for residents or developers to file complaints about suspected cases, and establish a review mechanism. If the office determines a municipality is using exclusionary zoning, it could take over that municipality's zoning authority for at least four years. After this period, the municipality could petition to regain control of its zoning. The bill directly affects Massachusetts municipalities whose zoning practices are found to exclude lower-income housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly targets exclusionary zoning barriers to affordable housing development, enabling state intervention to mandate inclusive zoning and increase housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 976: An Act adjusting the area median income

HD 976 modifies Massachusetts housing laws to require zip code-level area median income (AMI) calculations in cities with over 100,000 residents for affordable housing programs. It amends multiple statutes (including Chapters 40R, 40T, 121B, and 62) to replace city-wide AMI standards with zip code-specific income thresholds for housing projects, developments, or households in large municipalities. This change directly affects affordable housing providers, developers, and residents in cities like Boston, Worcester, and Springfield by adjusting income eligibility criteria based on specific neighborhoods. The bill updates existing housing affordability rules without creating new programs or changing overall funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies AMI calculations to zip code-level, enabling precise affordable housing eligibility in large cities, advancing access to housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1484: An Act to increase housing production in the city of Lowell

This bill amends zoning thresholds in Lowell to potentially increase housing production. It reduces specific numerical limits in existing law: changing "45" to "40" (Section 1), "180" to "187" (Section 2), and "81" to "75" (Section 3). These changes adjust development requirements for housing projects in Lowell, directly affecting developers and city planners. The bill modifies technical thresholds without specifying new policy outcomes, focusing solely on adjusting existing numerical parameters in zoning regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to increase housing production in Lowell through zoning adjustments, directly advancing housing development goals without restricting development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2085: An Act allowing municipalities to preserve owner occupancy

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1018) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to allow municipalities to preserve owner occupancy in accessory dwelling units. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows municipalities to preserve owner occupancy in accessory dwelling units (ADUs), increasing housing supply and affordability options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3782: An Act reforming the MBTA Communities Act

This bill amends Massachusetts' MBTA Communities Act to update housing requirements for municipalities near transit. It requires MBTA communities to either adopt zoning allowing 10% more multifamily units than their latest census count, build 5% of census-based housing units, or implement an approved housing plan to maintain funding eligibility. Communities must also meet a 25% threshold of multifamily housing units in their latest census data to comply. The bill uses the previous census data for the first four years after new census results are released. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts cities and towns classified as MBTA communities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 10% more multifamily units in MBTA communities, directly advancing housing development and affordable housing goals per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires MBTA communities to increase housing near transit, promoting transit-oriented development and ridership to strengthen public transit infrastructure access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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