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Accessory Structures in Brockton, MA (2026)

3 verified accessory structures rules for Brockton, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

ADU Rules

Brockton allows accessory dwelling units under Zoning Ordinance § 27-35.2, adopted January 30, 2025 to implement the state's 2024 ADU law. Every ADU, attached or detached, is capped at 900 square feet or half the principal home's floor area, needs site plan review and its own certificate of occupancy before anyone can live in it.

Brockton Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules

Some Restrictions

Brockton Zoning Ordinance (Appendix C) § 27-35.2(a),(e)

(a)[Authority.] Pursuant to Section 8 of Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024, Accessory Dwelling Units and 760 CMR 71:00 Protected Use Accessory Dwelling Units, this section shall apply to Protected Accessory Dwelling Units in the City of Brockton. ... (e)Standards—All ADUs. All ADUs shall:(1)Require site plan review;(2)Maintain a separate entrance...sufficient to meet the requirement of the state ...

Shed & Carport Rules

A shed or other detached accessory structure in Brockton must sit at least 5 feet off the side and rear lot lines, at least 10 feet from the house, and no closer to the street than the house's own front-yard setback, under § 27-20(1). Building or altering one also needs a permit: § 4-3 charges $75 for a shed valued up to $1,000, plus $20 per additional $1,000 of value.

Brockton Accessory Structure and Shed Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Brockton Zoning Ordinance § 27-20(1); City Code § 4-3(a)(2)-(3)

Accessory structures which are not attached to a principal structure may be erected in accordance with the following restrictions: a. No accessory structure is located closer than five (5) feet to the side and rear lot lines. b. No accessory structure is located closer to the street than the required front yard setback of the principal structure. c. No accessory structure is located closer to a...

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions in Brockton require a building permit and must comply with the Massachusetts State Building Code for habitable space. Off-street parking requirements must still be met.

Brockton Garage Conversion Rules

Some Restrictions

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40A, § 3A (Multi-Family Zoning As of Right)

1 district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right; provided, however, that such multi-family housing shall be without age restrictions and shall be suitable for families with children. For the purposes of this section, a district of reasonable size shall: (i) have a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre, subject to any further limitations imposed by secti...

Looking for Plymouth County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brockton city rules.

Accessory Structures in Plymouth County