Neighborhood Housing
Overview
Because Boston’s current zoning does not reflect our city, 99%+ of small-scale residential properties need to go through an expensive and time consuming variance process to get permission to update or expand their existing homes. This applies to new buildings on empty lots, renovations, accessory dwelling units (also known as ADUs), or even simple changes like adding a dormer or rebuilding a porch. New residential zoning will set clear, straightforward rules that better reflect the city’s needs and goals, making the process easier for everyone to understand and follow.
This neighborhood housing zoning initiative resulted from the zoning issues related to accessory dwelling units, also known as ADUs. Staff realized that Boston’s current residential zoning is so outdated that most of the existing housing does not comply. In order to make it easier to add ADUs, we need to fix this larger issue.
This first phase will focus on areas in Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury, building on work completed last year in Mattapan. The first phase will focus on areas of the city that are made up of a high percentage of larger lots (more specifically, where lots tend to be at least 60 feet wide or 4,800 square feet in size) and where properties have four units or less. Additional phases will expand this rezoning work across Boston, looking at lots with smaller areas and higher maximum unit counts.
As a complement to this work, the Planning Department has already developed an ADU Guidebook which offers a vision for Boston residents to address housing needs through Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), providing neighborhood-scale, incremental housing options that fit into Boston’s diverse neighborhoods. This zoning initiative aims to make the schemes from the guidebook possible without zoning relief.
What will residential zoning do for you?
-
Enable the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
-
Simplify upkeep and renovation of existing homes
-
Reduce the time and cost of renovations and construction of new small-scale housing
-
Provide predictability to the community at large around what is and is not acceptable, removing the case-by-case variance pattern of the current appeals process
-
Maintain consistency with statewide policy relative to ADUs and housing production
How to get involved
-
Priorities Survey: What are your priorities when it comes to setting rules for building in residential neighborhoods? Survey
-
Office Hours: Join us at one of our initial office hours on Wednesdays throughout December from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
-
Initial citywide virtual meeting: Monday, January 13, at 6:00 PM
-
Do you just want to stay informed? Sign-up for the Zoning Updates newsletter
Timeline
-
Phase 1: Large lots with up to 4 units
Over the next year, the Planning Department will work to advance and complete zoning that updates residential zoning and allows for ADUs on larger lots (generally at least 60 feet wide and 4,800 square feet), and where properties have up to 4 units.
Financing
The City currently allows owner-occupants to build an ADU using only existing space within their homes (such as within an unused attic or basement), without any exterior alterations. The Boston Home Center and the Mayor’s Office of Housing also offer financing support and technical assistance for homeowners interested in building an ADU. Learn more about ADUs and how to build one in Boston.
Previous Events
Click on the event date to view details and materials.