Accessory Structures in Springfield, MA (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Springfield, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Springfield allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot in Residence A and A-1 districts by Tier 1 site plan review, capped at 900 square feet or half the main house, and bans using it as a short-term rental.
Springfield Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 4.7.120 (§§ 4.7.122-4.7.123)
All ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS shall be required to obtain a Tier 1 Administrative Site Plan Review from the Office of Planning & Economic Development, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit... 1. ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS are limited to only Residence A and Residence A-1 zoning districts... No ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall be used for short-term rentals, as defined in City Ordinance, Chapter ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Springfield does not require the owner to live on site, but it does require the principal house and any accessory dwelling unit to stay in common ownership and be sold together.
Springfield ADU Common Ownership Rule
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 4.7.123(B)(3)
The principal building and the ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall remain in common ownership. An ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT may not be sold separately from the principal building to which it is an accessory use. 4. No ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall be located on a parcel with ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Springfield's zoning ordinance bars any accessory dwelling unit from being used as a short-term rental, cross-referencing the definition in the city's separate Chapter 238 short-term rental ordinance.
Springfield ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance § 4.7.123(B)(1)
No ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall be used for short-term rentals, as defined in City Ordinance, Chapter 238. 2. The construction of an ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT must be in conformity with all State Building Codes, Title V of the State Sanitary Code (if applicable) and any a...
Shed & Carport Rules
Springfield caps detached accessory structures like sheds at 15 feet in most residential districts and requires a 10-foot side yard for any part of a detached garage within 65 feet of the front lot line.
Springfield Accessory Building Rules
Some RestrictionsSpringfield Zoning Ordinance, Table 5-1, Note 5 (§ 5.2.10)
The required SIDE YARD shall be ten (10) feet for any portion of a detached RESIDENTIAL GARAGE that is less than sixty-five (65) feet from any FRONT LOT LINE. The distance between such detached RESIDENTIAL GARAGE and the PRINCIPAL BUILDING shall be not less than six (6) feet. 6 In the Residential C-2 district, a nonresidential PRINCIPAL BUILDING shall not exceed four (4) stories or s...