Housing (Zoning)

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 2347: An Act to promote Yes in God's Back Yard

By Representatives Vargas of Haverhill and Hong of Lowell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2347) of Andres X. Vargas, Tara T. Hong and Vanna Howard relative to zoning ordinances and taxation of land owned by religious sects or denominations for multifamily housing. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning/tax barriers for religious landowners to develop multifamily housing, directly promoting housing development and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 969: An Act establishing an accessory dwelling unit trust fund

By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 969) of Sal N. DiDomenico, Patricia D. Jehlen, Mike Connolly and Manny Cruz for legislation to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes trust fund for accessory dwelling units, directly funding housing development to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 1482: An Act to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund

By Representatives Cruz of Salem and Ramos of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1482) of Manny Cruz, Orlando Ramos and others for legislation to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund. Housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes a trust fund for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), increasing housing supply and affordability through funding housing development programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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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 ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to legalize single-stair residential buildings, enabling more housing development by addressing code barriers and potentially increasing affordable housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 987: An Act relative to updating and modernizing Chapter 40R.

HD 987 updates Massachusetts' Chapter 40R zoning incentives to encourage new housing development. It establishes tiered payments for cities/towns with approved "smart growth zoning districts" (based on percentage increase in new housing units, from $20,000 for up to 20% growth to $1.2 million for 501%+ growth) and separate $6,000 per-unit bonuses for new housing in both smart growth and "starter home zoning districts." The bill also requires the department to analyze these payments against housing cost trends using the Consumer Price Index. These enhanced incentives are temporary, reverting to original levels after 10 years from enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via tiered payments ($20k-$1.2M) and $6k/unit bonuses to incentivize housing development, directly increasing government spending on housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncentivizes housing development via tiered payments and $6,000/unit bonuses for new housing in designated zones, directly advancing housing supply growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1591: An Act to further empower local climate action

This bill (SD 1591) amends Massachusetts' climate demonstration project rules to allow up to 20 cities and towns to participate (increasing the limit from 10). It requires participating cities/towns to first meet housing affordability standards - either by meeting a 10% affordable housing threshold under Chapter 40B or approving zoning that permits multi-family housing without age restrictions for families with children. Cities that already met the housing threshold by December 21, 2020, are exempt from this requirement. The Department of Energy Resources must issue implementing regulations by July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands climate demonstration project to 20 cities/towns, directly advancing climate action. Requires housing standards but core purpose strengthens environmental efforts through increased local climate initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires cities to meet 10% affordable housing threshold or approve multi-family zoning to join climate projects, directly advancing housing affordability standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3838: An Act to expand designation of priority development sites

HD 3838 expands how Massachusetts municipalities can designate "priority development sites" for streamlined permitting. It requires properties to be approved by town meetings or included in specific plans like community development plans (which must cover housing, infrastructure, climate resiliency, and economic development), or approved by planning boards. Municipalities seeking designation must submit formal proposals including property details and owner authorization, and may request technical assistance grants. The bill also creates a new 2-year technical assistance program for towns to develop required community plans, with funding available for municipalities that have already permitted one priority site. This directly affects cities and towns aiming to accelerate housing and economic development projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates climate resiliency in community development plans for designated sites, directly linking development to environmental protection requirements.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands streamlined permitting for housing-focused development sites via community plans requiring housing inclusion, advancing housing supply development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1737: An Act providing a buffer for manufactured home communities

This bill establishes a 0.2-mile buffer zone around manufactured home communities in Massachusetts MBTA communities. It requires local zoning ordinances to prohibit new multi-family housing developments (like apartment buildings) within this buffer distance. The law directly affects manufactured home communities by limiting nearby development and impacts developers or communities planning new housing projects near these areas. The key mechanism is the mandatory zoning restriction to keep new multi-family housing separate from manufactured home communities.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts multi-family housing development near manufactured home communities, limiting new affordable housing options and preventing nearby apartment projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 814: An Act relative to updating and modernizing Chapter 40R

This bill updates Massachusetts' Chapter 40R to modernize housing incentives. It establishes tiered payments for cities/towns with approved "smart growth" or "starter home" zoning districts based on projected new housing units (e.g., $20,000 for up to 20% growth, $1.2 million for over 500% growth). It also adds a $6,000 per-unit bonus for new housing constructed in these districts. The bill requires the department to analyze these incentives against housing costs (using the Consumer Price Index) and mandates that increased incentives revert to original levels 10 years after enactment. The changes apply to tax years starting January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via tiered incentives and per-unit bonuses to promote housing development, directly advancing fiscal management through targeted spending.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tiered payments and $6,000/unit bonuses to incentivize new housing development in designated districts, directly funding housing growth per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3790: An Act to establish an accessory dwelling unit trust fund

HD 3790 establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Trust Fund to help low- and moderate-income property owners (earning up to 110% of the area median income) build ADUs. The fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, or reimbursements for pre-development costs like permits, design fees, site preparation, and utility connections. Administered by the Executive Office of Housing or contracted agencies (such as MassHousing), the fund uses state appropriations, grants, and investment income, with unused funds carrying over annually. Assistance is limited to the minimum amount needed to make ADU projects feasible, directly supporting property owners seeking to add secondary housing units.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates ADU trust fund to fund affordable housing development for low/moderate-income owners, directly advancing housing access through financial assistance for ADU construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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