Housing (Zoning)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2411: An Act accelerating housing production

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 993) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to accelerate housing production through a combination of incentives, zoning reforms, and financing solutions. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly accelerates housing production through zoning reforms, incentives, and financing, directly advancing housing development and affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1913: An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill promotes 'Yes in My Back Yard' (YIMBY), a movement advancing housing development and reducing barriers to construction, aligning with housing development indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1682: An Act relative to zoning for housing production

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1433) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to zoning for multi-family housing production. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets zoning reforms to increase multi-family housing production, directly advancing affordable housing supply through municipal policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1414: An Act relative to housing production plans

HD 1414 requires cities and towns to develop and get department approval for comprehensive housing production plans. Once approved, municipalities can block housing applications that don’t align with the plan’s goals for up to two years. The bill gives local governments authority to shape development to meet their specific housing needs. It directly affects housing developers and applicants in communities with approved plans.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires municipalities to develop housing production plans to guide development, advancing housing goals through structured local planning.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2260: An Act relative to affordable housing and the preservation of a community's water resources

This bill amends Massachusetts' Chapter 40B housing law by redefining "consistent with local needs" for zoning regulations affecting low/moderate income housing. It explicitly requires that local requirements (like design or environmental rules) must protect water resources or open spaces, apply equally to all housing types, and be reasonable compared to regional housing needs. The definition applies when a community has over 10% low/moderate income housing (per census) or when a project would exceed specific land-use thresholds for new housing construction. This directly affects local zoning boards, developers, and communities determining housing project approvals. The change aims to balance housing development with resource protection while ensuring uniform application of regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires local housing regulations to protect water resources, directly advancing environmental preservation under housing law amendments.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends Chapter 40B to require zoning regulations not to hinder low/moderate income housing development, advancing affordable housing goals while adding environmental safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1947: An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1434) of Julian Cyr for legislation to fund affordable housing and incentivize zoning reform by imposing a fee upon the transfer of real property interest in any real property situated within the city or town. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes property transfer fee to fund affordable housing, directly increasing government spending on essential housing programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds affordable housing via property transfer fees and incentivizes zoning reform to increase housing development, directly advancing housing accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3756: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

HD 3756 (Section 3AA) allows religious organizations (including IRS 501(c)(3) groups or state-recognized religious entities) to build multifamily housing on land they've owned for at least three years without needing special zoning permits or facing unreasonable restrictions. The bill sets density rules: up to 50 units per acre if 20-25% of units are affordable to low/middle-income households (at 60-80% of area median income), with height limits matching existing structures or local zoning. It also exempts qualifying projects from off-street parking requirements if near transit, mandates 15-foot setbacks, and requires compliance with environmental regulations. The law directly affects religious landowners seeking to develop housing, aiming to increase affordable housing options on religious property while maintaining local zoning standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20-25% affordable units (60-80% AMI) for religious org housing development, removes zoning barriers to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3248: An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

This bill allows municipalities to permit duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes (up to five units total) on residential lots without zoning restrictions, as long as reasonable regulations like site plans and setbacks don't make development infeasible. It also eliminates minimum parking requirements for new residential projects and establishes streamlined approval for "Missing-Middle Housing Subdivisions" (smaller residential lots, max 10,000 sq ft each). The bill directly affects homeowners, developers, and municipalities by expanding housing options on existing residential properties. Key provisions require local zoning to allow these housing types "as of right" and create standardized subdivision guidelines for smaller lots. The changes apply to areas with municipal water/sewer systems and take effect 365 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for multi-unit housing, eliminates parking requirements, and streamlines approval for missing-middle housing - directly increasing housing supply and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1985: An Act relative to the development of single family and multi-family housing for veterans

This bill amends zoning laws to prevent local governments from blocking or unreasonably restricting housing developments that specifically serve veterans. It requires that any single or multi-family housing project with a veteran preference (as defined in state law) and an affordable housing deed restriction must not face zoning barriers like special permits or unreasonable restrictions. The law directly affects housing developers and local zoning boards by limiting their ability to deny such projects through discretionary approval processes. This creates a clearer path for building veteran-focused housing that remains affordable long-term, without altering existing housing requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for veteran-focused affordable housing projects, enabling development that meets affordability requirements95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves zoning barriers for veteran-specific housing, enabling access to housing services and supporting veterans' housing needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning Veteran Employment Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2511: An Act relative to accessory dwelling units inclusion in the subsidized housing inventory

This bill draft (HD 2511) aims to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like in-law suites or backyard cottages) within the state's subsidized housing inventory. It would require housing authorities to count ADUs as part of their affordable housing stock when reporting on subsidized housing availability. The bill directly affects state housing agencies, local municipalities, and developers building or converting properties with ADUs. As a draft currently being worked on by House Counsel, specific implementation details and timelines are not yet finalized. No substantive policy provisions or voting records are available in the provided context.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates counting ADUs in subsidized housing inventory, expanding affordable housing availability by including accessory units in reported stock.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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