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Planning & Zoning > Current Zoning Initiatives > Neighborhood Housing

Neighborhood Housing

Overview
What will residential zoning do for you?
Community Engagement
Previous Events

Overview

Because Boston’s zoning laws are so outdated, most of the existing housing in our city does not comply with current zoning. This outdated zoning forces residents to go through an expensive and time consuming variance process at the Zoning Board of Appeal to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or make small renovations and additions like adding a dormer or porch.

New residential zoning through the Neighborhood Housing initiative will set clear, straightforward rules that better align with how our neighborhoods look today. The first phase of this project will focus on Roslindale, West Roxbury, and Hyde Park,  building on work completed in Mattapan.

What will residential zoning do for you?

  • Enable the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – making it easier for multi-generational families to live together, or for residents to bring in extra income

  • 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 housing policy, which already enables ADUs

Community Engagement 

  • Do you just want to stay informed?  Sign-up for the Zoning Updates newsletter

Office Hours

Bring your neighborhood housing questions to office hours! We are hosting three office hour sessions for anyone, regardless of what neighborhood you live in.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

The City has identified Accessory Dwelling Unit(s) as a means for homeowners to build independent living units on their properties and add gentle density. 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.

Previous Events

Click on the event date to view details and materials.