Bill > S1433

This bill requires municipalities in Massachusetts with over 2,000 residents to modify their zoning laws to create at least one zoning district that allows multi-family housing as of right, meaning developers can build such housing without requiring special permits or approvals. The zoning district must permit housing without age restrictions that is suitable for families with children, and must have a minimum density of 15 housing units per acre. Municipalities can apply for a waiver from this requirement if they already have at least 10% of their housing units designated as subsidized or affordable housing. Municipalities that do not comply with these zoning requirements will be ineligible for specific state housing and infrastructure funding programs, including the Housing Choice Initiative, Local Capital Projects Fund, MassWorks infrastructure program, and HousingWorks infrastructure program. Additionally, the bill requires municipalities to establish a maximum lot size of no more than one acre for residential properties, except where environmental regulations necessitate larger lot sizes. The executive office of housing and livable communities will be responsible for creating regulations to assess municipal compliance and evaluating waiver requests.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1433