Orleans, MA

Orleans, MA Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules


City Acceptance Rating:
2/10 (10 is most accepting)


What you need to know 

Orleans currently has restrictive rules associated with adding an ADU to a single family lot. The town does not allow additions or new construction unless it will have a minimal impact on the existing footprint of the existing structures.


ADU rules in Orleans:

  • The ADU must must be less than eight hundred (800) square feet.

  • Additions cannot increase lot coverage by more than two percent (2%) of the lot area.

  • The lot must be at least 40,000 SF of contiguous buildable upland.

  • One of the two units must be owner occupied year round.

See the full text here: Zoning Ordinance 164-40 Uncommon housing.

Tiny Home Eligible, Convert/add to eligibleGuest UserFriendliness Score 2/10, Orleans MA, Cape Cod