Accessory Structures in Haverhill, MA (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Haverhill, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Haverhill, one accessory dwelling unit is allowed by right inside an existing single-family home or as an addition that meets setbacks, but an ADU built in a garage, barn or new detached building needs a special permit from the Board of Appeals and is capped at 1,200 square feet.
Haverhill ADU Zoning Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsHaverhill Zoning Ordinance § 8.1.2, § 8.1.5
§ 8.1.2. Permitting Requirements. ... 3. An ADU located completely within the existing envelope of a principal dwelling with not more than three units shall be permitted as a by right accessory use with no special permit required. ... 5. Other than a single by right ADU in a single-family residential zone, an ADU in an existing detached building designed to be accessory to the principal structu...
ADU Owner Occupancy
In the City of Haverhill, the owner of a lot with an accessory dwelling unit must live in either the principal home or the ADU, with temporary absences capped at six months. The rule, in Section 8.1.4 of the Zoning Ordinance, exempts only the single by-right ADU allowed in a single-family residential zone.
Haverhill ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsHaverhill Zoning Ordinance § 8.1.4(1)
§ 8.1.4. General Conditions and Requirements for All Accessory Dwelling Units. ... ... 1. Other than for a single by right ADU in a single-family residential zone, the owner of the lot on which the ADU is created must continue to occupy either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU, except for temporary absences of up to six months. For purposes of this subsection, the "owner" shall be one or m...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of Haverhill, an accessory dwelling unit and its principal home may only be rented for stays of 12 months or longer. Section 8.1.4 of the Zoning Ordinance bars any weekly or daily rental use and prohibits using an ADU for boarding, lodging or other commercial purposes.
Haverhill ADU Rental Term Minimum
Significant RestrictionsHaverhill Zoning Ordinance § 8.1.4(4)
§ 8.1.4. General Conditions and Requirements for All Accessory Dwelling Units. ... ... 4. The ADU shall not be used for boarding and lodging or other commercial use. An ADU and the principal dwelling to which it is accessory may be rented for periods not shorter than 12 months at a time and are prohibited from any use as rental units on a weekly or daily basis.
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Haverhill, a detached shed or accessory building in any residential or commercial district can occupy no more than 25% of the rear yard, must sit at least 20 feet from the front street line and five feet from any other lot line or the main house, and cannot exceed 20 feet in height under City Code § 4.4.1.
Haverhill Accessory Building and Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsHaverhill City Code § 4.4.1
In all residential and commercial districts, a detached accessory building shall conform to the following provisions: it shall not occupy more than 25% of the area of the rear yard; it shall not be less than 20 feet from the front street line, nor less than five feet from any other lot line or from any principal building; and it shall not exceed 20 feet in height.