Accessory Structures in Revere, MA (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Revere, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Revere Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsRevere Municipal Code §§ 17.25.020(D), 17.25.040(B), (C)
The maximum gross floor area of an ADU shall be not more than 900 gross square feet, or not more than 1/2 gross floor area of the principal dwelling, whichever is smaller. ... No detached ADU shall exceed 20 feet in height. ... No detached ADU shall be closer than 20 feet from the rear property line, 10 feet from each side property line, 15 feet from the front property line, and 10 feet from th...
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.
Revere ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Significant RestrictionsRevere Municipal Code § 17.25.020(A), (E)
Pursuant to Section 8.09.030(F), short-term rental of an ADU shall be prohibited. ... ADUs shall not have separate ownership.
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.
Revere Accessory Building Height and Setback
Some RestrictionsRevere Municipal Code § 17.16.260(D), (F)(1)
No accessory structure shall be higher than one story or fifteen feet. In industrial districts, no accessory structure shall exceed fifty feet in height. ... Detached accessory structures may be erected on a rear yard, provided that no more than ten percent of the rear yard is occupied by such structures and no accessory structure is located within the required side yards, and within two feet o...
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.
Revere Garage Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 40A §§ 1A, 3 (Affordable Homes Act)
The Affordable Homes Act, Section 7 and 8, amended M.G.L. Chapter 40A Section 1A and M.G.L. Chapter 40A Section 3 to allows accessory dwelling units — or ADUs — under 900 square feet to be built by-right in single-family zoning districts. An accessory dwelling unit is a small residential living space located on the same lot as another home. ADUs can play a significant role in our housing crisi...