A 2024 law and a 2025 assistance program have spurred a flurry of ADU projects across the state.
Massachusetts communities have seen a growing number of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) permits after a new law helped streamline permitting for backyard cottages, garage apartments, and other similar housing types.
As Christian M. Wade explains in The Eagle-Tribune, “There were 1,639 applications last year for so-called accessory dwelling units, also known as “granny flats,” on residential properties statewide, with 1,224 projects permitted by local building departments, according to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.”
According to an article by Michael Vyskocil for Boston’s 92.9 HD2, an August 2024 state bill authorized ADUs by-right in single-family zoning district across the state. “In December 2025, Healey rolled out a new Massachusetts Housing Partnership program to assist homeowners with building ADUs, an initiative supported by $10 million in available funding.”
FULL STORY: State law prompts mini-boom of 'granny flat' projects
Columbus Introduces New Rules Allowing ADUs in all Residential Districts
The city’s recent zoning code updates include new rules for secondary housing units.
Amidst Colorado Affordability Crisis, Just 3% of Residential Land Zoned for Multifamily Housing
A new report suggests loosening restrictive zoning laws on multifamily development could help bring down high housing costs.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Mamdani overhauls NYC's Vision Zero plan with 100 new policy goals
The overhaul aims to reduce traffic deaths and make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers through lower speed limits, new safety infrastructure and more.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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