Chris Lee 10/30/24 Chris Lee 10/30/24

Kingston, MA

Kingston, MA Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

Last updated: 12/05/2025

What You Need To Know

Kingston, like all of Massachusetts since the passage of the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, allows ADUs by right. Each town has slightly different rules surrounding ADUs, but they all must adhere to the framework outlined by the state. The rules for Kingston are outlined below.

Type of ADU Permit Required

ADUs in Kingston do not require special permits, and can be built using a traditional building permit. Residents are allowed to build one ADU per lot.

The rules below are for building a by right ADU - there is also another type of ADU that can be built using a special permit. The rules and pathway for those ADUs are in most cases more complex. They can be found in the link in the resources section at the bottom of this page.

ADU Rules in Kingston:

An ADU can be maximum 900 square feet, or half the Gross Floor Area of the main house; whichever is smaller.
ADUs may be attached or detached from the main house.
Short-term rentals are not allowed.
Properties within ½ mile of a transit station do not require additional parking. Properties outside of that area require one additional off-street parking spot for the ADU.
ADUs must have a separate entrance from the main house - attached ADUs can share an entry hall with the main house, but need a separate entry within the entry hall.

Resources:

https://www.kingstonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5817/2025-Annual-Town-Meeting-Warrant?bidId=

(See pages 27-31)

Chris Lee 9/19/24 Chris Lee 9/19/24

Gloucester, MA

Gloucester, MA Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 7/10 (10 is most accepting)

Last updated: 9.19.2024

What You Need To Know

ADUs are permitted within an existing single family home, attached, and detached in Gloucester.

Type of ADU Permit Required

ADUs that conform to the rules listed below require a building permit through the building inspector. Special permits may be granted through the zoning board of appeals if the requirements cannot be met.

ADU Rules

The owner(s) of the single-family dwelling in which the accessory dwelling unit is created must continue to occupy one of the units as their residence, except for bona fide temporary absences.
Where the ADU or the principal dwelling is occupied as a rental unit, the minimum occupancy or rental term shall be 30 days. No ADU shall be use for boarding or lodging purposes or used as a rental unit on a weekly or daily basis.
There shall be one off-street parking space for the ADU in addition to off- street parking spaces required for the principal dwelling. The parking space shall be constructed of materials consistent with the existing driveway and shall have vehicular access to the driveway. No parking shall be located between the front building line of the principal dwelling and the front lot line except in the existing driveway.
Where the driveway is located within 10 feet of the side lot line, at least four feet of the driveway side yard, measured from the side lot line, shall be a landscaped buffer zone within which parking shall be prohibited. The landscape buffer zone shall be sufficient to screen the parking from the abutting property
There shall not be more than one ADU on a lot. ADUs shall not be eligible for zoning dimensional variances proposing to increase the allowable number of ADUs on a lot. No ADU shall be separated from the principal dwelling through a condominium or cooperative conversion process or be held in separate ownership from the principal dwelling unit on the lot.
The construction of any ADU shall conform with the State Building Code and Title V of the State Sanitary Code, and shall be lawful under all other provisions of applicable health, building, zoning and other local laws and regulations.
The Planning Board shall have authority to adopt an ADU guidance document providing interpretation and guidelines to administer this Section 5.24.

For Attached ADUs

The ADU shall be located entirely inside the single-family structure, except as provided for in 5.24.4(c).

The accessory dwelling unit shall be designed to maintain the appearance of a single-family dwelling, subject to the following requirements.
- The accessory dwelling unit shall be designed to maintain the appearance of a single-family dwelling, subject to the following requirements.
- All stairways to an ADU above the first floor shall be enclosed within the exterior walls of the single-family structure or on the rear of the structure if constructed on an outer wall.
- Where two or more entrances exist on the front facade of the single-family dwelling, one entrance shall appear to be the principal entrance and other entrances shall appear to be secondary. In the alternative the ADU may be accessed by a side or rear entry.
Exterior alterations are permitted provided they are in keeping with the architectural integrity of the structure, including, but not limited to, the following considerations:
- The exterior finish material should be the same or visually consistent in type, size, and placement, as the exterior finish material of the remainder of the building;
- Trim should be consistent in type, size, and location as the trim used on the remainder of the building;
- Windows should be consistent with those of the remainder of the building in proportion and orientation;
- Exterior staircases should be designed to minimize visual intrusion and be complementary to the existing building.

For Detached ADUs

A Detached ADU shall be maximum of 900 square feet or 50 percent of the total habitable space of the principal dwelling, whichever is less.
Alterations to an existing accessory structure or the creation of a new accessory structure for a Detached ADU are permitted provided they are in keeping with the architectural integrity of the existing principal dwelling on the lot and the residential character of the neighborhood. The exterior finish material should be the same or visually compatible in type, size, and placement, as the exterior finish material of the principal dwelling unit on the site.
For new construction of a Detached ADU, the building shall comply with the district's minimum setback requirements for accessory structures. The maximum height of the building shall be:
- 20 feet if the structure meets the normal accessory building setbacks, or
- 24 feet if the structure meets the normal principal dwelling setbacks.

Resources:

https://library.municode.com/ma/gloucester/codes/zoning_ordinance?nodeId=SVSPRE_5.24ACDWUNAD

Guest User 2/18/22 Guest User 2/18/22

Lexington, MA

Lexington, MA Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 7/10

Last updated: 11/4/2025

What You Need To Know

Lexington, like all of Massachusetts since the passage of the 2024 Affordable Homes Act, allows ADUs by right. Each town has slightly different rules surrounding ADUs, but they all must adhere to the framework outlined by the state. There are two pathways to building an ADU in Lexington. A Protected Use Accessory Dwelling Unit (PADU) and an Accessory Apartment are the two pathways to building. Each has specific regulations associated with it and are detailed below.

Type of ADU Permit Required

A PADU does not require a special permit and can be built using a traditional building permit, while an accessory apartment requires a special permit.

ADU Rules

Protected Use ADU Regulations:
- An ADU can be maximum 900 square feet, or half the Gross Floor Area of the main house; whichever is smaller.
- There are no minimum lot size requirements for building an ADU.
- ADUs can be rented, but may not be able to be rented short-term.
- The property owners are not required to live on site.
- The property owners are allowed to build one ADU on their property.
- The ADU may be attached or detached to the primary dwelling.
- One additional parking space (on-street or off-street) is required if the property is further than 0.5 miles from a transit station.
General requirements for Accessory Apartments in Lexington:
- There is only one ADU permitted per lot.
- The owner of the main house must live in either the primary dwelling or the ADU.
- If the owner is away from the property for less than two years, both the main house and ADU may be rented as long as:
- The ADU must be have a similar architectural style to the single family dwelling and meet the following criteria:
Lexington distinguishes between three different ADUs
- Basic ADU
- Expanded ADU
- Accessory Structure ADU

Resources:

https://www.lexingtonma.gov/2226/Accessory-Dwelling-Units-ADUs

https://www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14679/760-CMR-7100-Protected-Use-ADUs---Final

Guest User 5/4/20 Guest User 5/4/20

Great Barrington, MA

Great Barrington loves ADUs and allows them by right in all zoning districts. However, it is important to note that the backyard home cannot be greater than 650 SF. Additionally, if an ADU is proposed in an existing nonconforming structure, a special permit will be needed.

Great Barrington also defines a path to convert a single family property to a legal duplex or multifamily property. For eligible lots, this formal conversion will allow homeowners to maximize their property value. Duplexes and multifamily properties are discussed in section 8.1 and 8.3 of the zoning bylaw.

The town is also deliberating on new rules that would allow tiny homes on trailers! Stay tuned for more information and if you are a resident of Great Barrington contact the planning/zoning board to voice your support.

Great Barrington, MA Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Rules

City Acceptance Rating: 7/10 (10 is the most accepting)

What you need to know:

Great Barrington loves ADUs and allows them by right in all zoning districts. However, it is important to note that the backyard home cannot be greater than 900 SF. Additionally, if an ADU is proposed in an existing nonconforming structure, a special permit will be needed.

Type of Permit Required:

Great Barrington allows both attached and detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built by right.

If the ADU is proposed in a nonconforming lot, it requires a special permit.

ADU Rules in Great Barrington:

Only one ADU is allowed per lot.
ADUs are allowed on single family and two family lots.
The ADU and primary home must have the same owner.
The ADU cannot be larger than 900 gross square feet. (“Gross” includes unfinished space and area with low ceilings)
A newly constructed backyard home or addition must meet setback and other dimensional requirements related to the primary home. An ADU can be located in an existing nonconforming structure with a special permit.
The ADU must be provided one parking space. This spot must be in addition to the minimum required spaces for the primary home. The parking space must be located behind the front setback line, unless a variance is granted by the planning board.
When possible, new entrances to the ADU must be located on the rear or side of the building.
Fire escapes and outside stairways leading to a second or higher story shall be located on the rear or side of the building. They should not be visible from the street.

Read the full bylaws here:

Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.2 Accessory Dwelling Units

Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.1 Two-family residential use of a single lot.

Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.1 Multifamily dwellings