How Revere Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Revere maintains 121 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Revere falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

ADU Rules

Revere allows accessory dwelling units in its RA, RA1, RB and RB1 districts, capped at 900 square feet or half the principal home's floor area, whichever is smaller. A detached ADU cannot exceed 20 feet in height and must sit at least 20 feet from the rear line, 10 feet from each side line, 15 feet from the front line, and 10 feet from the main house.

Key details: Where allowed: RA, RA1, RB, RB1 districts only. Max size: 900 sq ft or 1/2 house, smaller. Detached height cap: 20 feet. Detached setbacks: 20 ft rear, 10 ft side, 15 ft front. No variances allowed: Zoning board cannot waive ADU standards.

Building or converting space into an ADU that exceeds 900 square feet, or half the principal dwelling, skips site plan review, or violates the detached ADU's height or setback limits is a zoning violation under Revere Municipal Code § 17.04.030, voiding the certificate of occupancy, and the zoning board of appeals cannot grant a variance to cure it under Section 17.25.020(H); the building inspector can require the unit be resized, relocated or removed.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Revere's zoning ordinance flatly bars renting out an accessory dwelling unit as a short-term rental, cross-referencing the city's separate short-term rental licensing chapter to close the loophole. The same section also bars selling or otherwise separately owning an ADU apart from the principal house it sits on.

Key details: STR ban: Short-term rental of an ADU prohibited. Cross-referenced chapter: Revere Municipal Code § 8.09.030(F). Ownership rule: ADUs cannot have separate ownership. Enforcement point: Site plan review and occupancy permit.

Listing or renting an ADU on a short-term basis violates Revere Municipal Code § 17.25.020(A) and the cross-referenced short-term rental chapter at Section 8.09.030(F); the building inspector can pursue it as a zoning violation under Section 17.04.030, which voids the certificate of occupancy, and the city's short-term rental licensing office can separately deny or revoke any rental registration tied to the unit. Attempting to sell or subdivide an ADU separately also violates subsection E.

Compared to other cities, Revere takes a harder line on adu rental restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Shed & Carport Rules

A backyard shed, detached garage or other accessory structure in Revere cannot exceed one story or fifteen feet in most districts, and industrial-district accessory buildings top out at fifty feet. Detached sheds may cover no more than ten percent of the rear yard, must stay out of required side yards, and must sit at least two feet off the rear lot line.

Key details: Height limit: One story or 15 feet (50 ft industrial). Rear yard coverage cap: 10% of the rear yard. Rear lot line setback: At least 2 feet. Side yard placement: Not permitted in required side yards. Fire rating: One-hour fire-rated walls with openings.

A shed or detached garage built taller than fifteen feet, covering more than ten percent of the rear yard, or sitting inside a required side yard or within two feet of the rear lot line violates Revere Municipal Code § 17.16.260 and is a zoning violation under Section 17.04.030, voiding the certificate of occupancy until the structure is brought into compliance or removed by order of the building inspector.

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions in Revere require a building permit and zoning compliance. Under the MA Affordable Homes Act (2025), garage conversions are a protected ADU type allowed by right in single-family zones, overriding Revere's former restrictions.

Key details: Permit Required: Building permit + zoning compliance. ADU Option: Protected ADU type under state law (2025). State Law: MA Affordable Homes Act Ch. 150 §8. Contact: Revere Building Division: 781-286-8197.

Unpermitted conversions face enforcement. Uninspected work cannot receive a certificate of occupancy.

The Bottom Line

Revere's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Revere is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Revere's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.