Housing (Building Codes) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6207: An Act to establish a surcharge on specific residential development activities for the purpose of funding the creation of community housing

This bill establishes a new fee for the town of Lexington to help pay for affordable community housing. It requires developers who demolish existing single- or two-family homes to build new ones to pay a surcharge based on the square footage of their new construction, unless the project is specifically for community housing. The town's select board will set the fee amount, which will be adjusted annually for inflation, and the money collected will go into a dedicated trust fund for housing projects. A building permit cannot be finalized until this fee is paid, and the town must review the program's effectiveness every seven years.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3689: An Act to safeguard municipal permitting

HD 3689 modifies municipal permitting rules to give developers more time to start projects before new zoning rules apply. It requires construction under regular building permits to begin within 12 months and continue to completion to avoid following future zoning changes, while special permits or site plans have a 3-year window. For redevelopment on previously disturbed land, work is considered "started" once site prep begins, and phased projects must proceed expeditiously (as quickly as possible) between phases without needing constant work. This directly affects developers planning construction and municipalities enforcing zoning compliance. The bill clarifies when existing permits remain valid despite updated local land use regulations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Land Use Zoning

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 804: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

SD 804 establishes a special commission to study whether single-stair multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) can be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop a building code amendment that includes safety measures for these structures. It must build on prior research and analyze safety comparisons to two-stair buildings, plus create an implementation plan. The study will be funded with $250,000 from the General Fund. This bill does not change current law but sets the stage for potential future code updates affecting developers and residents of mid-rise housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1392: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

This bill creates a special commission to study whether single-stair, multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) should be legalized in Massachusetts. The commission, including fire safety experts, architects, building officials, and housing advocates, will develop building code amendments with safety measures, building on prior research. It allocates $250,000 from the General Fund to fund this study and produce recommendations. The bill itself does not change current laws but authorizes the study to inform future building code changes for this housing type.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1025: An Act streamlining housing permitting

S 1025, introduced by Senator Bruce Tarr, aims to simplify the process for obtaining building permits for new housing developments. The bill would directly affect local government agencies that issue permits and housing developers seeking to build new projects. Its key provision involves reducing bureaucratic delays and standardizing application requirements to make permitting more efficient. This would help speed up approvals for housing construction without specifying new requirements or timelines.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 4699: An Act to study single-stair residential buildings

H 4699 creates a special commission to study safety conditions for single-stair multi-family residential buildings (up to six stories) in Massachusetts, with the goal of developing a building code amendment to potentially legalize them. The commission, composed of housing officials, fire safety experts, architects, and community representatives, must produce a report by July 31, 2026, including fire safety measures like sprinklers and emergency exits, and build on existing research. This bill does not change current laws but directs a study to address safety concerns that may enable future code changes. It directly affects future housing development rules and building safety standards, not current building owners or occupants.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 3042: An Act establishing a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in the town of Concord

By Representatives Cataldo of Concord and Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3042) of Simon Cataldo and Carmine Lawrence Gentile (by vote of the town) that town of Concord be authorized to establish a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in said town. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes

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 ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1855: An Act relative to tax incentives for building to NetZero Standards

This bill (HD 1855) requires Massachusetts' Department of Energy Resources to analyze the cost impacts of energy regulations on housing affordability. Specifically, it directs the department to assess: (1) the added cost for builders under each regulation compared to no regulation, (2) the total cost burden on housing production, and (3) existing programs that might offset these costs to keep housing prices stable. The department must report these findings to legislative committees by December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax incentives or change regulations - it only mandates a study to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Taxes

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 409: An Act establishing a building permit fee surcharge for affordable housing in the town of Concord

HD 409 allows the Town of Concord to impose a surcharge on building permits for construction projects exceeding a value set by the Select Board. The funds collected must be deposited into Concord's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing initiatives. This surcharge applies only to projects qualifying as "affordable housing," defined as units rented or sold to households earning no more than 150% of the area median income, with long-term affordability restrictions. The town must approve the surcharge via a Town Meeting vote before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes Housing Finance

All housing bills