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.